#12 ground wire

[R. Fry]

Would using a mix of copper wire and pipe create matching or other problems?

For best performance suggest you use a ~ 3 meter long copper pipe, and not try to use a 3 foot pipe with wire(s) attached.
//

[carlvenorden]

I know what it is like to try to hide a 108 with PVC.  But don't waste your time.
It simply doesn't work well.
If you want to disguise it, try paint.
For some reason PVC literally destroys the signal coming off a copper pipe antenna.
Carl

[dbdigital]

I know what it is like to try to hide a 108 with PVC.  But don't waste your time.
It simply doesn't work well.
If you want to disguise it, try paint.
For some reason PVC literally destroys the signal coming off a copper pipe antenna.
Carl

Thanks for the suggestion, Carl. I've got nearby trees to deal with as well, so I don't need anything else inhibiting coverage.

db

[Ur-A-Dawg]

I see!  The Mister Microphone club has a new thread!  Hey, AM is dead!  The best part 15 allows
me to stream on the internet at home  and listen through my cell phone internet connection
anywhere.  Others are listening through the internet too.  Welcome to this century!!!!!
WIFI and digital is great!!!!

[Black_Shire]

I know what it is like to try to hide a 108 with PVC.  But don't waste your time.
It simply doesn't work well.
If you want to disguise it, try paint.
For some reason PVC literally destroys the signal coming off a copper pipe antenna.
Carl

Thanks for the suggestion, Carl. I've got nearby trees to deal with as well, so I don't need anything else inhibiting coverage.

db

Depending on the antenna's surroundings, you may be able to "hide it in plain sight" by making it out of #24 - #26 gauge magnet wire, as hams often do to build hidden HF antennas.  With such a short (3 meter) length, even thinner wire such as #30 gauge may be sufficiently durable.


--  Black Shire 

[dbdigital]

I know what it is like to try to hide a 108 with PVC.  But don't waste your time.
It simply doesn't work well.
If you want to disguise it, try paint.
For some reason PVC literally destroys the signal coming off a copper pipe antenna.
Carl

Thanks for the suggestion, Carl. I've got nearby trees to deal with as well, so I don't need anything else inhibiting coverage.

db

Depending on the antenna's surroundings, you may be able to "hide it in plain sight" by making it out of #24 - #26 gauge magnet wire, as hams often do to build hidden HF antennas.  With such a short (3 meter) length, even thinner wire such as #30 gauge may be sufficiently durable.


--  Black Shire 

Thanks for that suggestion also, Black Shire. I notice Radio Shack has magnet wire of different gauges for five bucks.  So it would be cheap enough to buy some and experiment with it.

db

[Timewarp]

Don't try this one!!!  Once I knew a guy who bought a hydrogen balloon and generator
from Fair Radio in Ohio.  He used magnet wire and sent it up more than 500 feet.
He had an old transmitter with 100 watts that he had modified for the low end of
the AM band.
He thought it was party time when he fired it up.  But the darn balloon blew up
and took out all the windows in the neighborhood.
Anyway, he has grown up now and works for the government.

[dbdigital]

Don't try this one!!!  Once I knew a guy who bought a hydrogen balloon and generator
from Fair Radio in Ohio.  He used magnet wire and sent it up more than 500 feet.
He had an old transmitter with 100 watts that he had modified for the low end of
the AM band.
He thought it was party time when he fired it up.  But the darn balloon blew up
and took out all the windows in the neighborhood.
Anyway, he has grown up now and works for the government.

I'll try not to mix magnet wire with hydrogen.  Besides my TX only outputs 100 mw.

db

[Black_Shire]

Don't try this one!!!  Once I knew a guy who bought a hydrogen balloon and generator
from Fair Radio in Ohio.  He used magnet wire and sent it up more than 500 feet.
He had an old transmitter with 100 watts that he had modified for the low end of
the AM band.
He thought it was party time when he fired it up.  But the darn balloon blew up
and took out all the windows in the neighborhood.
Anyway, he has grown up now and works for the government.

I'll try not to mix magnet wire with hydrogen.  Besides my TX only outputs 100 mw.

db

With cheap helium being readily available (even Michael's craft stores carry tanks of it), who would want to risk using hydrogen?  Besides, such a balloon-supported antenna would be w-a-y too long for the Part 15 rules.


--  Black Shire

[carlvenorden]

I think Radio Shack may still carry that thinner-than-thread magnet wire, but, do yourself a favor and don't buy it.
It is so thin it is difficult to work with.
The best magnet wire is bought thru a distributor at about the best price you can find.
I buy it in bulk since I build coils.
I have no clue as to why anyone would buy this Radio Shack stuff.
If you need some it may be cheaper to buy it from me!
wcrv977fm@aol.com