RadioBanter - View Single Post - Let's design a short antenna just for fun

Lostgallifreyan · November 8th 14, 07:32 PM posted to rec.radio.amateur.antenna

wrote in :

Loss is loss, whether receiving or transmitting.

Yes, but as you say, if the SNR is ok, then an amp can help on receive. What
I wondered was if the losses being a lot lower with lower current (I^2R
suggesting a significant inverse-square reduction as current falls), whether
a low power transmission justifies 316 stainless where a higher current would
not. To put it another way, if there is, is there some crude rule to suggest
a current (transmitter power) that makes it better to go with copper? (I'm
assuming a half-wave dipole for now, not the small antenna the subject
indicates).

I'm not ready to trust my use of NEC yet, I've been visiting people about
amplifier repairs and such, my sight's bad enough that I'm limiting my
computer time deliberately for a while to see if that helps.