Antenna material

[1513250]

If this has been asked/answered already, SORRY! But what is the best material to make a homemade all around scanner antenna out of? I see on a lot of web sites most discone antenna's are made out of aluminum, but most whip antenna's are made of stainless, I'm looking on building an antenna for my roof as well as my car, not sure whether I want to go discone or whip or any other, YET!

 

[N_Jay]

If this has been asked/answered already, SORRY! But what is the best material to make a homemade all around scanner antenna out of? I see on a lot of web sites most discone antenna's are made out of aluminum, but most whip antenna's are made of stainless, I'm looking on building an antenna for my roof as well as my car, not sure whether I want to go discone or whip or any other, YET!

THere is no "Best" material.

Al depoends on what you want and what you can work with.

Stainless is good because it bends a lot.

Aluminum is good because it does not!

 

[1513250]

Thanks for the reply. I'am thinking of purchasing either the BCT8 or the BC898T, (limited budget) and I have access to just about any material I need to build an antenna, ie..aluminum, stainless, copper, etc..I deliver and pick up roll off dumpsters, it's amazing what most homeowners/construction companies toss out :shock:

 

[merlin-7]

OK I may be a bit stuck here but I love copper discones, easy to build and work great over a large range of frequencys...

 

[N_Jay]

OK I may be a bit stuck here but I love copper discones, easy to build and work great over a large range of frequencys...

The fact that they are copper has little to do with it.

Coopper is a great conducter untill it corrodes.

 

[TeRayCodA]

yeah,Prime it and paint it really good,and you should have little problem;Merlin.

 

[N_Jay]

yeah,Prime it and paint it really good,and you should have little problem;Merlin.

Look at the materials that are used by the commercial antenna manufacturers.

 

[merlin-7]

The reason I use copper is that is really easy to work with.
affer you build an antenna out of it all you need to do is (seal it)

any good epoxy works fine.

 

[TeRayCodA]

Look at the materials that are used by the commercial antenna manufacturers.[/quote]

I have built copper discones,and J-poles(out of 1/2"copper pipe)for years,no problem with corrosion,if you apply a good topcoat sealer.
I mainly build all of my antennas out of aluminum,and stainless steel hardware.
I know of many hams that use nothing more than a copper J-pole into a ht with excellent results.
see:
http://hometown.aol.com/teraycoda/myhomepage/photo.html