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#1
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Painting the antenna
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 |
#2
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Good question.
Personally, I'd rather buff it up with steel wool, a wire wheel, and scotchbright pads. Shouldn't take that long. YOu'd have to clean it up in order to paint it anyway. Certainly, be careful in your choice of paint. jw K9RZZ |
#3
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"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 |
#4
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"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, Here is another R5/R7 "clean and repair" web site. http://home.planet.nl/~fhvgeerligs/Ant/R5/onhr5eng.htm IF you do use steel wool, use a good damp cloth to remove any steel slivers that you may get. A very fine emery paper (400 to 600 grit) may be a better choice for corrosion areas. IF you are going to be near a salt-water environment a clear coat should be used. Greg w9gb |
#5
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The Cushcraft manual addresses this --- at URL:
http://www.cushcraft.com/support/pdf/r5.pdf Since it is in pdf I can't copy it so -- check there -- Keyboard In The Noise Opinions are the cheapest commodities in the world. Author unknown but "right on" ------------------------------------- "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 |
#6
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"G.Beat" wrote in message news:naQrc.24177$zw.4857@attbi_s01... "blair thompson" wrote in message ... I'm certain this question must have been dealt with before, but I recently acquired a Cushcraft R5 vertical which looks a bit weather-beaten. I was wondering whether, if I aerosol-sprayed the aluminum, elements, with an appropriate color, it might impair the performance of what is already a compromise antenna. I know radio waves don't care about appearance, but I would like to "tart it up" a bit. Thanks for any information. 73 Blair VE7HHH Blair, John Tait, EI7BA has a good web page on the Cushcraft R5/R7 antenna http://www.iol.ie/~bravo/r7_vertical.htm My preference for aluminum is NOT to paint it. Shiny aluminum can not exist long in an oxygen environment without developing a dull gray patina (reaction of AL with O2). This patina is conductive. Aluminum oxide is conductive?! Ed WB6WSN |
#7
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Blair, John Tait, EI7BA has a good web page on the Cushcraft R5/R7 antenna http://www.iol.ie/~bravo/r7_vertical.htm My preference for aluminum is NOT to paint it. Shiny aluminum can not exist long in an oxygen environment without developing a dull gray patina (reaction of AL with O2). This patina is conductive. Aluminum oxide is conductive?! Ed WB6WSN Ed - Good catch. Getting ahead of my fingers. To avoid seizing when assembling the telescoping elements of your Cushcraft antenna, you should coat the inner element with PENTROX-A by Burndy. This can be found at any electrical distributor. Many Home Depot stores also carry the product. It is conductive and will avoid seizing between these aluminum elements. w9gb |
#8
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"G.Beat" wrote in message news:naQrc.24177$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. |
#9
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On Mon, 24 May 2004 16:47:33 -0500, "Steve Nosko"
wrote: [snip] | Aluminum is the most reactive metal. Really? |
#10
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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 |
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