do antennas naturally wear down?

[AuntBee09]

this is may be a stupid question, but i've had two antennas so far, and both of them seem to wear down and get progressively worst. the reception starts out pretty good, but then it goes bad (over a few months). i just have the basic radio-shack antennas: http://www.radioshack.com/product/i...032075.2032078.2032098&pg=2&parentPage=family and http://www.radioshack.com/product/i...032075.2032078.2032098&pg=2&parentPage=family

i'm confused why my reception would get worst over time. . . maybe it's just the weather. idk. any ideas? thanx ahead of time.

 

[DPD1]

It's more likely that your cable and connections are "wearing down". Connections need to be sealed from the elements, and moisture can break down the materials enough that you start to have bad connections and performance. But it doesn't hurt to take the antenna apart and clean it once in a while too, especially where parts connect to each other. If you just have a UHF connector at the antenna that's unsealed, that could easily let enough water in the coax and connector to degrade performance in a few months... Particularly if non soldered connectors are used.

Dave
http://www.dpdproductions.com
- Custom Scanner, Aviation, MURS, GMRS, Marine & Ham Antennas -

 

[N_Jay]

It's more likely that your cable and connections are "wearing down". Connections need to be sealed from the elements, and moisture can break down the materials enough that you start to have bad connections and performance. But it doesn't hurt to take the antenna apart and clean it once in a while too, especially where parts connect to each other. If you just have a UHF connector at the antenna that's unsealed, that could easily let enough water in the coax and connector to degrade performance in a few months... Particularly if non soldered connectors are used.

Dave
http://www.dpdproductions.com
- Custom Scanner, Aviation, MURS, GMRS, Marine & Ham Antennas -

Cable that is unsupported will also stretch and loss will go up.

Many cheap cables are not rated for external use and the jacket will allow moisture through over time.

I would also look at the cable and connectors before the antenna.

 

[RayK]

I see by your links , these are the 800Mhz and stubby handheld antennas. Normally they
shouldn't wear out ,unless you mount them outdoors .I believe the 2 above remarks are true
for outdoor antennas.

 

[Don_Burke]

i'm confused why my reception would get worst over time. . . maybe it's just the weather. idk. any ideas? thanx ahead of time.

My guess would be a combination of corrosion on the connector and breakdown of the antenna from flexing.

Antennas do not wear out.
They do corrode when exposed to an environment conducive to it.