Aluminium for antenna design
 

What will be the best material for log-periodic antenna design, my idea is
to build LP-ant. for 14-30 MHz but it must stay alive at wind over 120 mPh.
Wellding and machine work is not problem bigest problem is to select good
Aluminium?

Maybe AA6082 or AA6061 something elese ?

Thanks for any help or info ?

Aluminium for antenna design
 

On Feb 22, 7:41 pm, "Lex-Lutor"
wrote:
What will be the best material for log-periodic antenna design, my idea is
to build LP-ant. for 14-30 MHz but it must stay alive at wind over 120 mPh.
Wellding and machine work is not problem bigest problem is to select good
Aluminium?

Maybe AA6082 or AA6061 something elese ?

Thanks for any help or info ?

aluminum double boom, fiberglass elements, just a thought.

Jimmie

Aluminium for antenna design
 

On 22 Feb, 17:31, "JIMMIE" wrote:
On Feb 22, 7:41 pm, "Lex-Lutor"
wrote:

What will be the best material for log-periodic antenna design, my idea is
to build LP-ant. for 14-30 MHz but it must stay alive at wind over 120 mPh.
Wellding and machine work is not problem bigest problem is to select good
Aluminium?

Maybe AA6082 or AA6061 something elese ?

Thanks for any help or info ?

aluminum double boom, fiberglass elements, just a thought.

Jimmie

The biggest problem here is the number of elements and it's support
system The high winds excabate the problem since that requires a
willow tree function of bending in the wind The support system suffers
because of the plan view where all the longest elements are at one end
which is probably why many are made of simple wire Obviously you must
find the lightest material suitable for the use and apply a skin of
aluminum to the elements
of your choice. If you are uneasy about the rigidity of the assembly
then a non electrical member circling the whole array should suffice.
Personally I would avoid welding because of added weight and failure
initialisation and if possible extend the elements with non radiating
materials to defrock the damaging winds upon the rotor.Another factor
would be the use of a tapered element that does not provide a stopping
point for ice especially because of the number of elements. Better to
be a natural taper such that ice formation falls off at the ends.
Ofcourse you can change the design to elements that slope so it can be
used on two bands or even apply solenoids to the skin for extra band
use.
Solenoid could be made using thin medical syringes with a few lays of
wires and a metal nail insert to make the connections from the inside
of the element, this way weight addition is minimal. It may upset
people people on this group if I mention fishing poles but I mention
that because I have made 13 element yagis on a 60 foot boom in the
past and I am in the Midwest which is quickly being inhabited by
swarms of windmills to take advantage of the perenial winds except
when we have ice storms!
Poles are available on E bay in quantities of twenty or more for 20
foot length at less than $10 a pole which is very economical compared
to aluminum and they are also telescopic and will bend and not break
if you catch a big fish coated in iced.
Art

Aluminium for antenna design
 

the normal alloys used in the states are 6061-t6 or 6061-t832(i think that
is the right heat treatment number for the other one... t6 is more common i
believe). and don't weld, use swaged or telescoping joints, welding
destroys the heat treatment effects and allows for dissassembly when needed.
use decent all stainless steel hardware and liberal applications of
anti-oxidant compounds on all joints.

"Lex-Lutor" wrote in message
...
What will be the best material for log-periodic antenna design, my idea is
to build LP-ant. for 14-30 MHz but it must stay alive at wind over 120
mPh.
Wellding and machine work is not problem bigest problem is to select good
Aluminium?

Maybe AA6082 or AA6061 something elese ?

Thanks for any help or info ?

Aluminium for antenna design
 

Keep it flexible. Flexible elements have less wind resistance.

Lex-Lutor wrote:

What will be the best material for log-periodic antenna design, my idea is
to build LP-ant. for 14-30 MHz but it must stay alive at wind over 120 mPh.
Wellding and machine work is not problem bigest problem is to select good
Aluminium?

Maybe AA6082 or AA6061 something elese ?

Thanks for any help or info ?

Aluminium for antenna design
 

On 23 Feb, 11:26, Dave wrote:
Keep it flexible. Flexible elements have less wind resistance.



Lex-Lutor wrote:
What will be the best material for log-periodic antenna design, my idea is
to build LP-ant. for 14-30 MHz but it must stay alive at wind over 120 mPh.
Wellding and machine work is not problem bigest problem is to select good
Aluminium?

Maybe AA6082 or AA6061 something elese ?

Thanks for any help or info ?- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Thinking over this problem again the biggest problem or enemy is boom
length and number of elements for this huge frequency spread.
I think I would take the time and try to make it a half length boom
with each element being used for two frequency spans by using a 24
volt internal solenoids to determine the desired lengths.As stated
earlier the solenoids are very light and interconnecting wiring need
only be .010 coated magnet wire. Boom material can now be made lighter
since less torque is involved.
When using the shorter element length the diconnected portions will
have an effect on the active length so care would have to be taken
here. 1/4 dia syringes used by diabetics is ideal with about 50 to 80
feet of .01 magnet wire to give a sufficient number of turns. I would
imagine just one on /off switch would be required depending at what
end of the frequency is in use.
Ofcourse you could double up to two set in Vee shape to get extra
oomph to overcome the LPs low gain values and it will still be less
torque than a full sized array.Food for thought!
Art

Aluminium for antenna design
 

On 22 Feb, 16:41, "Lex-Lutor"
wrote:
What will be the best material for log-periodic antenna design, my idea is
to build LP-ant. for 14-30 MHz but it must stay alive at wind over 120 mPh.
Wellding and machine work is not problem bigest problem is to select good
Aluminium?

Maybe AA6082 or AA6061 something elese ?

Thanks for any help or info ?

O.K. you now have got input, have you made up your mind?
If so why, I think that any response would help out future builders
Art