RadioBanter - View Single Post - Iron Powder Toroid

Roy Lewallen · August 8th 07, 06:33 AM posted to rec.radio.amateur.antenna

wrote:
Ok, dumb question. Can a Iron Powder Toroid be used outside without
being weatherproofed? Can it be painted with enamel and the used that
way? -Scott, WU2X

You often use powdered iron when you need high Q in an inductor. Water
between turns can seriously degrade the Q. Painting with enamel might
lower the Q somewhat, but nowhere near as much as water. To maintain the
best Q, you need to keep water well away (say, a couple of times the
turn spacing) from the wires. No physical harm will come to the core
from being outside in the weather.

Roy Lewallen, W7EL