Antenna building with copper

[LarryMax]

Since I am restricted to my attic for mounting antennas. Wouldn't it make sense to build my antennas out of copper pipe rather than aluminum?

Ever since my "rain gutter" experiment last weekend. I have really been interested in making my own simple antennas. I need a new experiment for this weekend.

I understand why commercial manufacturers do not use copper (cost and corrosion issues)

I just want to make some HF dipoles.

Since I'm stuck in this valley/RF hellhole I need all the "receive" I can get.

Is it worth it?

I'm assuming that the use of copper vs aluminum will be negligible.

Thanks once again for answering another of my odd-ball questions.

 

[zz0468]

It's probably not worth the cost unless you're transmitting with considerable power. Just use wire. You could buy a chunk of pvc pipe and cut chunks off for insulators. You could make loops, dipoles, random wires, all sorts of things. If you're receiving only, you may want to consider rotatable loop antennas. The can be made quite small, and if you have noise issues, they're legendary in making them go away.

 

[k9rzz]

I don't think you'll notice any difference between copper pipe and copper wire for HF dipoles. Buy a spool of #12 or #14 house wire and go crazy. I did make a 40 meter ground plane out of copper tubing once for the college station. It was on the roof of a four story building with wire radials under it. Sure it took three of us to put it up, but MAN ... it kicked A## !!

 

[CanWoodsman]

Copper pipe will make a good J - Pole antenna.
Here's one I made.

 

[LtDoc]

It amounts to what's most practical for you. An antenna can be almost anything that conducts electricity. That opens up a big range of things an antenna can be made of/from. I find working with copper is easier than with aluminum, or steel, or cast iron, or gold/silver/platinum. The biggy for me is that copper is easy to solder to. If I could do that soldering to aluminum, and if I happened to have a lot of it, I'd use that.
So, you think you may have enough of whatever to make an antenna? Why not?
- 'Doc

 

[K9WG]

Did you know your J-Pole sprung a leak and got your truck all wet.......


Just saying :lol:

Copper pipe will make a good J - Pole antenna.
Here's one I made.

 

[W6KRU]

Copper pipe will make a good J - Pole antenna.
Here's one I made.

You resurrected a thread that was over 3 years old to show us a picture of a j-pole???????

 

[pjtnascar]

He resurrected the thread because it is Easter.

 

[thomast77]

Someone please explain why it is wrong to post to an old thread if you have something to add. The post has not been closed? Not trying to start a fight. I am just curious of the rationale behind this? I hear it all the time but it doesn't make sense to me. I also took a quick look at the forum FAQ and I did not see a rule or explanation about this? I'm confused

 

[Thayne]

He resurrected the thread because it is Easter.

I like it--Good one :lol: Lets all have some deviled eggs or even some chocolate easter bunnies & chill out

 

[Randalman]

Someone please explain why it is wrong to post to an old thread if you have something to add. The post has not been closed? Not trying to start a fight. I am just curious of the rationale behind this? I hear it all the time but it doesn't make sense to me. I also took a quick look at the forum FAQ and I did not see a rule or explanation about this? I'm confused

I have often wondered the same thing. Many times newbies are scolded because they don't search before they ask a question and scolded again if they respond of ask a question about what they have read in the old thread???

 

[RadioDaze]

I don't care HOW old this thread is. The important thing is to remember to disconnect the copper pipe from the sprinkler line before you turn it into a J-pole. If it took three year to learn this lesson, it was still worth it.

BTW, they now have chocolate-covered Peeps. You couldn't say that 3 years ago. So this is a dual-purpose resurrection.

I'm still waiting for the Godiva Solid Chocolate J-Pole I ordered. I shoulda paid extra for overnight.