So, where does one get aluminum tubes for antenna construction?
 

I'm looking to make a 2m/70cm yagi antenna for working satellites.
The plans are out there, and it seems quite simple. (Or I could pay
$73 to Arrow Antenna, but I'll give it a shot myself first.)

So I hit Home Depot, and the closest thing I found to the approprite
beams was 1/8th inch steel rods. (Basically piano wire.)

It ought to work, and is stiff enough to not bend much under gravity,
but it's heavy, and I'll be holding this thing ...

The local hobby shop has more piano wire that's smaller, but it's
still steel, and as you get smaller, it looses the needed rigidity and
it sags too much.

The instructions suggest hollow alluminum tubes, which should be light
and strong, and a good conductor to boot, but where can I find these?

Also, I've seen Yagi instructions that suggest a that the beams not be
insulated from the boom, and I've seen instructions that say they
should be insulated from the boom (or the boom should be an insulator,
like PVC pipe.) Does it make a big difference? Does it affect the
dimensions of the antenna?

Thanks in advance ...

--
Doug McLaren, , AD5RH
The face is familiar but i can't quite remember my name. Oh, there it is.

aluminum tubing can be found at industrial pipe suppliers, or for short
pieces you can get tent poles to cut up. welding rod is another commonly
used material, copper pipe is another one for small antennas. some people
also use steel electrical conduit.

Insulating the elements will change the size they need to be... or you could
look at it that when you don't insulate the elements from the boom they
usually get shorter because they look fatter at the middle. there are
arguments for both methods, but if you use a metallic boom i wouldn't
insulate them because its more work if you don't have the proper tools and
insulators handy, if you use pvc or something else then they will be
insulated anyway.


"Doug McLaren" wrote in message
...
I'm looking to make a 2m/70cm yagi antenna for working satellites.
The plans are out there, and it seems quite simple. (Or I could pay
$73 to Arrow Antenna, but I'll give it a shot myself first.)

So I hit Home Depot, and the closest thing I found to the approprite
beams was 1/8th inch steel rods. (Basically piano wire.)

It ought to work, and is stiff enough to not bend much under gravity,
but it's heavy, and I'll be holding this thing ...

The local hobby shop has more piano wire that's smaller, but it's
still steel, and as you get smaller, it looses the needed rigidity and
it sags too much.

The instructions suggest hollow alluminum tubes, which should be light
and strong, and a good conductor to boot, but where can I find these?

Also, I've seen Yagi instructions that suggest a that the beams not be
insulated from the boom, and I've seen instructions that say they
should be insulated from the boom (or the boom should be an insulator,
like PVC pipe.) Does it make a big difference? Does it affect the
dimensions of the antenna?

Thanks in advance ...

--
Doug McLaren, , AD5RH
The face is familiar but i can't quite remember my name. Oh, there it is.

..

The instructions suggest hollow alluminum tubes, which should be light
and strong, and a good conductor to boot, but where can I find these?

Also, I've seen Yagi instructions that suggest a that the beams not be
insulated from the boom, and I've seen instructions that say they
should be insulated from the boom (or the boom should be an insulator,
like PVC pipe.) Does it make a big difference? Does it affect the
dimensions of the antenna?

You might try looking at a sporting goods store for the elements , that is
what the Arrow antennas started out as. Texas towers is a place you can
order from.

The instructions must be followed exectally at 2 meters and above. The
elements must be the same outside diameter. They can be solid or hollow
without a change in length. If the boom is a nonconductor , that must be
used, if the elements pass through and are insulated from the boom that must
be done. The boom will have an effect on the elements almost as the same
diameter as the boom diameter. While an inch or two might not make much
differance on the low bands, it could put a 440 mhz antenna out of the band.
You may be able to tune the swr to a low value but the patern will be way
off and the antenna may not have much gain.

The antennas are not that hard to build.

Cut apart an old TV antenna?

Just a thought...

-SSB

Doug McLaren wrote:

I'm looking to make a 2m/70cm yagi antenna for working satellites.
The plans are out there, and it seems quite simple. (Or I could pay
$73 to Arrow Antenna, but I'll give it a shot myself first.)

So I hit Home Depot, and the closest thing I found to the approprite
beams was 1/8th inch steel rods. (Basically piano wire.)

It ought to work, and is stiff enough to not bend much under gravity,
but it's heavy, and I'll be holding this thing ...

The local hobby shop has more piano wire that's smaller, but it's
still steel, and as you get smaller, it looses the needed rigidity and
it sags too much.

The instructions suggest hollow alluminum tubes, which should be light
and strong, and a good conductor to boot, but where can I find these?

Also, I've seen Yagi instructions that suggest a that the beams not be
insulated from the boom, and I've seen instructions that say they
should be insulated from the boom (or the boom should be an insulator,
like PVC pipe.) Does it make a big difference? Does it affect the
dimensions of the antenna?

Thanks in advance ...

Dave, buy fishing rod material
and cover with aluminum foil
Art
"Dave" wrote in message
...
aluminum tubing can be found at industrial pipe suppliers, or for short
pieces you can get tent poles to cut up. welding rod is another commonly
used material, copper pipe is another one for small antennas. some people
also use steel electrical conduit.

Insulating the elements will change the size they need to be... or you
could
look at it that when you don't insulate the elements from the boom they
usually get shorter because they look fatter at the middle. there are
arguments for both methods, but if you use a metallic boom i wouldn't
insulate them because its more work if you don't have the proper tools and
insulators handy, if you use pvc or something else then they will be
insulated anyway.


"Doug McLaren" wrote in message
...
I'm looking to make a 2m/70cm yagi antenna for working satellites.
The plans are out there, and it seems quite simple. (Or I could pay
$73 to Arrow Antenna, but I'll give it a shot myself first.)

So I hit Home Depot, and the closest thing I found to the approprite
beams was 1/8th inch steel rods. (Basically piano wire.)

It ought to work, and is stiff enough to not bend much under gravity,
but it's heavy, and I'll be holding this thing ...

The local hobby shop has more piano wire that's smaller, but it's
still steel, and as you get smaller, it looses the needed rigidity and
it sags too much.

The instructions suggest hollow alluminum tubes, which should be light
and strong, and a good conductor to boot, but where can I find these?

Also, I've seen Yagi instructions that suggest a that the beams not be
insulated from the boom, and I've seen instructions that say they
should be insulated from the boom (or the boom should be an insulator,
like PVC pipe.) Does it make a big difference? Does it affect the
dimensions of the antenna?

Thanks in advance ...

--
Doug McLaren, , AD5RH
The face is familiar but i can't quite remember my name. Oh, there it
is.

"Doug McLaren" wrote in message
...
I'm looking to make a 2m/70cm yagi antenna for working satellites.
The plans are out there, and it seems quite simple. (Or I could pay
$73 to Arrow Antenna, but I'll give it a shot myself first.)

So I hit Home Depot, and the closest thing I found to the approprite
beams was 1/8th inch steel rods. (Basically piano wire.)

It ought to work, and is stiff enough to not bend much under gravity,
but it's heavy, and I'll be holding this thing ...

The local hobby shop has more piano wire that's smaller, but it's
still steel, and as you get smaller, it looses the needed rigidity and
it sags too much.

The instructions suggest hollow alluminum tubes, which should be light
and strong, and a good conductor to boot, but where can I find these?

Also, I've seen Yagi instructions that suggest a that the beams not be
insulated from the boom, and I've seen instructions that say they
should be insulated from the boom (or the boom should be an insulator,
like PVC pipe.) Does it make a big difference? Does it affect the
dimensions of the antenna?

Thanks in advance ...

--
Doug McLaren, , AD5RH
The face is familiar but i can't quite remember my name. Oh, there it is.


Most major cities, and smaller ones too, will have recycling yards
that also sell all manner of alum, steel, stainless, brass
etc. Quite a variety of extrusions can be found here. Usually the price, in
my area san diego, is about $2 a pound. These are great places to get stuff
for building antenna

Lou
KE6LZS

On Sun, 17 Oct 2004 16:58:00 GMT, "Doug McLaren"
wrote:

I'm looking to make a 2m/70cm yagi antenna for working satellites.
The plans are out there, and it seems quite simple. (Or I could pay
$73 to Arrow Antenna, but I'll give it a shot myself first.)

So I hit Home Depot, and the closest thing I found to the approprite
beams was 1/8th inch steel rods. (Basically piano wire.)

It ought to work, and is stiff enough to not bend much under gravity,
but it's heavy, and I'll be holding this thing ...

The local hobby shop has more piano wire that's smaller, but it's
still steel, and as you get smaller, it looses the needed rigidity and
it sags too much.

The instructions suggest hollow alluminum tubes, which should be light
and strong, and a good conductor to boot, but where can I find these?

Also, I've seen Yagi instructions that suggest a that the beams not be
insulated from the boom, and I've seen instructions that say they
should be insulated from the boom (or the boom should be an insulator,
like PVC pipe.) Does it make a big difference? Does it affect the
dimensions of the antenna?

Thanks in advance ...

I believe Texas Towers in Dallas sells anything you might need in
aluminum tubing appropos for antennas. Their web page doesn't come up
right now; maybe later...

Bob
k5qwg

"Doug McLaren" wrote in message
...
I'm looking to make a 2m/70cm yagi antenna for working satellites.
The plans are out there, and it seems quite simple. (Or I could pay
$73 to Arrow Antenna, but I'll give it a shot myself first.)

So I hit Home Depot, and the closest thing I found to the approprite
beams was 1/8th inch steel rods. (Basically piano wire.)

It ought to work, and is stiff enough to not bend much under gravity,
but it's heavy, and I'll be holding this thing ...

The local hobby shop has more piano wire that's smaller, but it's
still steel, and as you get smaller, it looses the needed rigidity and
it sags too much.

The instructions suggest hollow alluminum tubes, which should be light
and strong, and a good conductor to boot, but where can I find these?

Also, I've seen Yagi instructions that suggest a that the beams not be
insulated from the boom, and I've seen instructions that say they
should be insulated from the boom (or the boom should be an insulator,
like PVC pipe.) Does it make a big difference? Does it affect the
dimensions of the antenna?

Thanks in advance ...

--
Doug McLaren, , AD5RH
The face is familiar but i can't quite remember my name. Oh, there it is.

Around here several mom&pop hardware stores carry Al tubing in 10 foot
lengths up to 1-1/4 OD. Also, building supply stores; not Home Depot or
Lowes. I would not use steel elements. For 432, you might be able to use
chunks of Al ground wire. Of course, there is Texas Towers, but I think the
longest piece you can UPS without a surcharge is 6 feet.

Tam/WB2TT

Texas Tower. Nice folks.

73,
Chip N1IR

Tam/WB2TT wrote:
"Doug McLaren" wrote in message
...

I'm looking to make a 2m/70cm yagi antenna for working satellites.
The plans are out there, and it seems quite simple. (Or I could pay
$73 to Arrow Antenna, but I'll give it a shot myself first.)

So I hit Home Depot, and the closest thing I found to the approprite
beams was 1/8th inch steel rods. (Basically piano wire.)

It ought to work, and is stiff enough to not bend much under gravity,
but it's heavy, and I'll be holding this thing ...

The local hobby shop has more piano wire that's smaller, but it's
still steel, and as you get smaller, it looses the needed rigidity and
it sags too much.

The instructions suggest hollow alluminum tubes, which should be light
and strong, and a good conductor to boot, but where can I find these?

Also, I've seen Yagi instructions that suggest a that the beams not be
insulated from the boom, and I've seen instructions that say they
should be insulated from the boom (or the boom should be an insulator,
like PVC pipe.) Does it make a big difference? Does it affect the
dimensions of the antenna?

Thanks in advance ...

--
Doug McLaren, , AD5RH
The face is familiar but i can't quite remember my name. Oh, there it is.


Around here several mom&pop hardware stores carry Al tubing in 10 foot
lengths up to 1-1/4 OD. Also, building supply stores; not Home Depot or
Lowes. I would not use steel elements. For 432, you might be able to use
chunks of Al ground wire. Of course, there is Texas Towers, but I think the
longest piece you can UPS without a surcharge is 6 feet.

Tam/WB2TT


Also, try your nearest Welders Supply- for brazeing rods, tho, not aluminium,
would believe these are superior to piano wire! and is available in different
diameters, and lengths, and certainly better than most copper, or aluminium
of the same gauge in non-malialibility (more weight support if a bird lands
on it) Jim nn7k

--
To reply, remove the NOSPAM

Hi Doug,

http://www.mcmaster.com

McMaster-Carr has massive amounts of just about anything at reasonable prices.

They ship from all over the country, I got my 6' 3/8" al rod next day delivery

for the ground ups ship fee ! (atlanta whse to my qth in tn )

Their website is very fast and works great over dialup or faster connections.

Good luck with the project

Al



Doug wrote:

I'm looking to make a 2m/70cm yagi antenna for working satellites.
The plans are out there, and it seems quite simple. (Or I could pay
$73 to Arrow Antenna, but I'll give it a shot myself first.)

On Mon, 18 Oct 2004 01:14:11 GMT, Al wrote:

Hi Doug,

http://www.mcmaster.com

McMaster-Carr has massive amounts of just about anything at reasonable prices.

They ship from all over the country, I got my 6' 3/8" al rod next day delivery

for the ground ups ship fee ! (atlanta whse to my qth in tn )

Their website is very fast and works great over dialup or faster connections.

Good luck with the project

Al



Doug wrote:

I'm looking to make a 2m/70cm yagi antenna for working satellites.
The plans are out there, and it seems quite simple. (Or I could pay
$73 to Arrow Antenna, but I'll give it a shot myself first.)

Texas Towers sells seamless, hard Al tubing in sizes that nest
correctly. It's not flimsy and it's not particularly cheap but it is
the correct material for beam antennae. For small (UHF and up) stuff,
use the hobby shop nesting brass tube and rod.

Russ

The secret is: "arrow" antennas are made from arrows. Yes, archery arrows.
The hardware that attaches the arrows to the boom is (again) arrow hardware,
that's used for mounting certain types of arrowheads to the arrow shafts.

--

"Doug McLaren" wrote in message
...
I'm looking to make a 2m/70cm yagi antenna for working satellites.
The plans are out there, and it seems quite simple. (Or I could pay
$73 to Arrow Antenna, but I'll give it a shot myself first.)

Another approach you may want to take is the Arrow Antenna concept,
but built of WA5VJB's Cheap Yagis. Cheap Yagis work great and have
simple tuning requirements. I did a Google search and came up with
someone who had done exactly this.
http://www.g6lvb.com/HomebrewArrow.htm
There is a link in the article to a page with Cheap Yagi dimensions.

A somewhat smaller antenna is a combination of a Yagi (although you
could easily use the Cheap Yagi design) and a Moxon.
http://www.qsl.net/vk3jed/2m70cmant1html.html

http://on6sat.com/links/ is an extensive list of links related to
satellite operation, with lots of antenna links.

Good luck
W4KMA

On Sun, 17 Oct 2004 16:58:00 GMT, "Doug McLaren"
wrote:

I'm looking to make a 2m/70cm yagi antenna for working satellites.
The plans are out there, and it seems quite simple. (Or I could pay
$73 to Arrow Antenna, but I'll give it a shot myself first.)

So I hit Home Depot, and the closest thing I found to the approprite
beams was 1/8th inch steel rods. (Basically piano wire.)

It ought to work, and is stiff enough to not bend much under gravity,
but it's heavy, and I'll be holding this thing ...

The local hobby shop has more piano wire that's smaller, but it's
still steel, and as you get smaller, it looses the needed rigidity and
it sags too much.

The instructions suggest hollow alluminum tubes, which should be light
and strong, and a good conductor to boot, but where can I find these?

Also, I've seen Yagi instructions that suggest a that the beams not be
insulated from the boom, and I've seen instructions that say they
should be insulated from the boom (or the boom should be an insulator,
like PVC pipe.) Does it make a big difference? Does it affect the
dimensions of the antenna?

Thanks in advance ...

My local hardware store, a chain of the "Do It Center" hardware franchise,
has just started carrying aluminum tubing in 6 foot lengths in diameters
ranging from about 3/8" to about 1.5". Prices are not cheap, but not
outrageous for the small amounts you will likely need.

--
-larry
K8UT
"Doug McLaren" wrote in message
...
I'm looking to make a 2m/70cm yagi antenna for working satellites.
The plans are out there, and it seems quite simple. (Or I could pay
$73 to Arrow Antenna, but I'll give it a shot myself first.)

So I hit Home Depot, and the closest thing I found to the approprite
beams was 1/8th inch steel rods. (Basically piano wire.)

It ought to work, and is stiff enough to not bend much under gravity,
but it's heavy, and I'll be holding this thing ...

The local hobby shop has more piano wire that's smaller, but it's
still steel, and as you get smaller, it looses the needed rigidity and
it sags too much.

The instructions suggest hollow alluminum tubes, which should be light
and strong, and a good conductor to boot, but where can I find these?

Also, I've seen Yagi instructions that suggest a that the beams not be
insulated from the boom, and I've seen instructions that say they
should be insulated from the boom (or the boom should be an insulator,
like PVC pipe.) Does it make a big difference? Does it affect the
dimensions of the antenna?

Thanks in advance ...

--
Doug McLaren, , AD5RH
The face is familiar but i can't quite remember my name. Oh, there it is.

Try aluminum arrows

"Doug McLaren" wrote in message
...
I'm looking to make a 2m/70cm yagi antenna for working satellites.
The plans are out there, and it seems quite simple. (Or I could pay
$73 to Arrow Antenna, but I'll give it a shot myself first.)



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Just about all aircraft builder supply places carry aluminum tubing as
well. I would think the 6061-T6 grade would be great for antennas as it
is quite corrosion resistant and fairly hard and thus more resistant to
bending under ice buildup if your locale supports the formation of ice ;)

Try http://www.aircraftspruce.com/menus/me/aluminum.html

Scott
N0EDV


Hal Rosser wrote:

Try aluminum arrows

"Doug McLaren" wrote in message
...

I'm looking to make a 2m/70cm yagi antenna for working satellites.
The plans are out there, and it seems quite simple. (Or I could pay
$73 to Arrow Antenna, but I'll give it a shot myself first.)




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--
Scott
http://corbenflyer.tripod.com/
Building RV-4
Gotta Fly or Gonna Die