Antennas for HF use...

[KD8NIV]

Mostly interested in what all kinds of material can be used to build a antenna out of ?....
Copper wire, and aluminum, I no, what else ?...




Another question, any you guys using a long run using ladder line, if so how long is the line ?..

 

[PACNWDude]

I have used ladder line, Cat5 cable, copper wire, spoons, plastic utensils as insulators, cardboard. Almost any wire conductor can be used with insulators made from anything found locally.

Long pieces of wire, cut to the correct length for frequency, can be used for HF.

 

[popnokick]

Any rigid or semi-rigid conductive metal wiil work. The major factors you have to condsider if it will be outdoors are:
- how will it hold up to rain, ice, sun, snow, acid rain, etc?
- does it rust or corrode (or both)
- what happens when you connect a dissimilar metal to it? Diode junction effect? Accelerated corrosion?

 

[mmckenna]

How about an "Electrolytic Fluid Antenna":

Sea Water Antenna System

 

[SCPD]

I would add; Don't Mickey Mouse it-- make it mechanically strong least a storm break your heart--

...................CF

 

[NDRADIONUT]

12 ga copper wire and plexiglass for insulators...

 

[TheSpaceMann]

You can build all kinds if antennas with PVC pipe! Just use electric wire for the elements.