Home |
Search |
Today's Posts |
|
#1
|
|||
|
|||
"blair thompson" wrote in message
... I'm certain this question must have been dealt with before, but I recently acquired a Cushcraft R5 vertical which looks a bit weather-beaten. I was wondering whether, if I aerosol-sprayed the aluminum, elements, with an appropriate color, it might impair the performance of what is already a compromise antenna. I know radio waves don't care about appearance, but I would like to "tart it up" a bit. Thanks for any information. 73 Blair VE7HHH Blair, John Tait, EI7BA has a good web page on the Cushcraft R5/R7 antenna http://www.iol.ie/~bravo/r7_vertical.htm My preference for aluminum is NOT to paint it. Shiny aluminum can not exist long in an oxygen environment without developing a dull gray patina (reaction of AL with O2). This patina is conductive. I do not like to use steel wool (dissimilar metal abrasives) and any small iron/steel particles left on the antenna will rust (brown). I usually use a scotchbrite-type pad ... a very mild lye (sodium hydroxide) in a well ventilated area AND plenty of water. http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/chemi...basic_sod.html CAS Registry Number for sodium hydroxide is 1310-73-2. This number is assigned by the Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) in the United States and is used as a unique identifier number world-wide. Once the aluminum is shiny, wash the aluminum well to remove remaining NaOH. Dry and then apply a clear finish to preserve the shiny. The clear finish can not be used electrical and RF conductivity is desired (inside compression fittings of sections). IF you desire to paint any fiberglass on the antenna, there are a number of products for the auto and marine industry for that application. Greg, w9gb |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
"G.Beat" wrote in message news:naQrc.24177$zw.4857@attbi_s01... "blair thompson" wrote in message ... I'm certain this question must have been dealt with before, but I recently acquired a Cushcraft R5 vertical which looks a bit weather-beaten. I was wondering whether, if I aerosol-sprayed the aluminum, elements, with an appropriate color, it might impair the performance of what is already a compromise antenna. I know radio waves don't care about appearance, but I would like to "tart it up" a bit. Thanks for any information. 73 Blair VE7HHH Blair, John Tait, EI7BA has a good web page on the Cushcraft R5/R7 antenna http://www.iol.ie/~bravo/r7_vertical.htm My preference for aluminum is NOT to paint it. Shiny aluminum can not exist long in an oxygen environment without developing a dull gray patina (reaction of AL with O2). This patina is conductive. Aluminum oxide is conductive?! Ed WB6WSN |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
Blair, John Tait, EI7BA has a good web page on the Cushcraft R5/R7 antenna http://www.iol.ie/~bravo/r7_vertical.htm My preference for aluminum is NOT to paint it. Shiny aluminum can not exist long in an oxygen environment without developing a dull gray patina (reaction of AL with O2). This patina is conductive. Aluminum oxide is conductive?! Ed WB6WSN Ed - Good catch. Getting ahead of my fingers. To avoid seizing when assembling the telescoping elements of your Cushcraft antenna, you should coat the inner element with PENTROX-A by Burndy. This can be found at any electrical distributor. Many Home Depot stores also carry the product. It is conductive and will avoid seizing between these aluminum elements. w9gb |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
"G.Beat" wrote in message news:naQrc.24177$zw.4857@attbi_s01... [...snip...] This patina is conductive. OOPS! Aluminum oxide, or Alumina, is very non- conductive. It is a ceramic used for as a base high Q circuits at 150 Mhz and above (stripline and microstrip). It is also what is grown on the surface of "anodized" aluminum in the anodization process. It is also why aluminum is so hard to solder. The oxide forms immediately on contact with air. Aluminum is the most reactive metal. -- Steve N, K,9;d, c. i My email has no u's. |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
On Mon, 24 May 2004 16:47:33 -0500, "Steve Nosko"
wrote: [snip] | Aluminum is the most reactive metal. Really? |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
Wes Stewart wrote:
wrote: | Aluminum is the most reactive metal. Really? Not really. When I was at Texas A&M, someone wrapped a large lump of sodium in a towel and flushed it down the john. It blew the plumbing apart. -- 73, Cecil http://www.qsl.net/w5dxp -----= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =----- http://www.newsfeeds.com - The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! -----== Over 100,000 Newsgroups - 19 Different Servers! =----- |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
Cecil Moore wrote in message ...
Wes Stewart wrote: wrote: | Aluminum is the most reactive metal. Really? Not really. When I was at Texas A&M, someone wrapped a large lump of sodium in a towel and flushed it down the john. It blew the plumbing apart. A couple of us Juniors in chem lab did the deed in high school in 1954. Didn't take out any hardware but it took the janitors a week to clean the ceilings. Fortunately there was nobody "Smokin' In The Boy's Room" . . |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
Must have never worked w/ Sodium, NaK (sodium- potassium alloys, usually
liquid phase at room temperature) or Lithium-Aluminum alloys. Never had the pleasure to work w/ pure Li but I'd guess it is entertaining to say the least. Aluminum is quite reactive, fortunately aluminum oxide is quite stable, and usually forms quickly, quietly and uneventfully. Scotchbrite pads would be better than steel wool to clean it up. "Wes Stewart" wrote in message ... On Mon, 24 May 2004 16:47:33 -0500, "Steve Nosko" wrote: [snip] | Aluminum is the most reactive metal. Really? |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
Aluminum is the
most reactive metal. Damn, I thought Na was. Boy ya sure learn a lot on these groups. WG8Z Greg Z to thine own sound be true |
#10
|
|||
|
|||
Maybe this post was the inspiration for the one on rec.radio.misc from a guy
looking for a lump of sodium ! jw K9RZZ |
Reply |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Forum | |||
Inverted ground plane antenna: compared with normal GP and low dipole. | Antenna | |||
Mobile Ant L match ? | Antenna | |||
Poor quality low + High TV channels? How much dB in Preamp? | Antenna | |||
QST Article: An Easy to Build, Dual-Band Collinear Antenna | Antenna |