On Aug 27, 12:10*pm, Michael Coslo wrote:
Afternoon everyone,

* * * * I'm rebuilding my Bugcatcher antenna. It works well, but the XYL had a
bit of an accident last year when we had a big snowstorm, the leaves
weighted down the limbs, and the antenna, which was strapped down, still
managed to introduce itself to a limb.

* * * * Anyhow, the original antenna was mounted using 1 inch thick plexiglass,
with holes drilled to run the mast through, and tapped screw holes to
mount to the back up plate, in turn mounted to the spare tire holder.

* * * * I'm trying to make something a little prettier now that I'm rebuilding it.

But the thing is, I'm curious about the material. Is there any
particular material to avoid? I know Plexi works, but what about PVC?
Delrin? Bondo? 8^) Miiling, water absorption, etc?

Polycarbonate, polycarbonate, polycarbonate.

It is way less brittle than plexiglass and far easier to machine and
work with.

It is a little more expensive than plexiglass.

Plexiglass is also know as acrylic. Polycarbonate is also known as
Lexan.

Polycarbonate is truly a wonderful material. I don't care what all
those people complaining about bisphenol-A say, polycarbonate is king.

Tim.

On Fri, 27 Aug 2010 09:16:57 -0700 (PDT), Tim Shoppa
wrote:

On Aug 27, 12:10*pm, Michael Coslo wrote:
Afternoon everyone,

* * * * I'm rebuilding my Bugcatcher antenna. It works well, but the XYL had a
bit of an accident last year when we had a big snowstorm, the leaves
weighted down the limbs, and the antenna, which was strapped down, still
managed to introduce itself to a limb.

* * * * Anyhow, the original antenna was mounted using 1 inch thick plexiglass,
with holes drilled to run the mast through, and tapped screw holes to
mount to the back up plate, in turn mounted to the spare tire holder.

* * * * I'm trying to make something a little prettier now that I'm rebuilding it.

But the thing is, I'm curious about the material. Is there any
particular material to avoid? I know Plexi works, but what about PVC?
Delrin? Bondo? 8^) Miiling, water absorption, etc?

Polycarbonate, polycarbonate, polycarbonate.

Fiberglass, fiberglass, and more fiberglass. It bends, it can easily
be repaired with a surfboard repair kit. It tolerates impacts better
than polycarbonate or plexiglass tubing. It's also UV resistant (when
coated with Krylon):
http://www.mgs4u.com/fiberglass-tube-rod.htm
$10 for 8ft of 1" plus shipping.

Polycarbonate is truly a wonderful material. I don't care what all
those people complaining about bisphenol-A say, polycarbonate is king.

There's some BPA in the epoxy resins used to bond the fiberglass matt
together. Don't drink out of your antenna, and you'll be fine.

--
Jeff Liebermann
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

"Tim Shoppa" wrote in message
...
On Aug 27, 12:10 pm, Michael Coslo wrote:
Afternoon everyone,

I'm rebuilding my Bugcatcher antenna. It works well, but the XYL had a
bit of an accident last year when we had a big snowstorm, the leaves
weighted down the limbs, and the antenna, which was strapped down, still
managed to introduce itself to a limb.

Anyhow, the original antenna was mounted using 1 inch thick plexiglass,
with holes drilled to run the mast through, and tapped screw holes to
mount to the back up plate, in turn mounted to the spare tire holder.

I'm trying to make something a little prettier now that I'm rebuilding it.

But the thing is, I'm curious about the material. Is there any
particular material to avoid? I know Plexi works, but what about PVC?
Delrin? Bondo? 8^) Miiling, water absorption, etc?

Polycarbonate, polycarbonate, polycarbonate.

It is way less brittle than plexiglass and far easier to machine and
work with.

It is a little more expensive than plexiglass.

Plexiglass is also know as acrylic. Polycarbonate is also known as
Lexan.

Polycarbonate is truly a wonderful material. I don't care what all
those people complaining about bisphenol-A say, polycarbonate is king.

Tim.

Agree, Lexan is the way to go.
If it is good enough for the canopy of an F-16 it is just about good enough
for anything.

Sam - K7SAM