| Author |
Message |
    
Spiderleggs
Junior Member
Username: Spiderleggs
Post Number: 19
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Friday, October 01, 2004 - 12:24 pm: | 
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Can insulated wire be used as the reflector instead of uninsulated wire on a quad, and should it be single strand or stranded? |
Tecnicoloco
Junior Member
Username: Tecnicoloco
Post Number: 49
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Friday, October 01, 2004 - 4:07 pm: |
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you can use any of the 2 types:insulated,bare,solid or stranded,but them you gonna have to re-calculated the length of the cable with or without insulation of your choice due to a factor of capacitance loading.
Try to stick with the original for your quad,if is a bare cable,spray some coats of Krilon Clear Coat to it for better weatherproof.
Good Luck Amigo.
Tecnicoloco
73's |
Spiderleggs
Junior Member
Username: Spiderleggs
Post Number: 20
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Friday, October 01, 2004 - 8:33 pm: |
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Is there a formula to be used to caculate the capacitance loading? I have the length without insulation, but didn't know if it changed with insulation added. |
Tech833
Moderator
Username: Tech833
Post Number: 867
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 05, 2004 - 1:27 am: |
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'Capacitance loading'? I think you meant to say - Velocity Factor.
Depending on the wire diameter and insulation material and thickness, the velocity factor will make the wire 'look' longer to the radio waves. You can usually find the velocity factor of the wire by contacting the manufacturer. It will be given in a percent. let's say, 85%. That means, 9 feet of the insulated wire will look like 10.35 feet to the RF. |
Bullet
Intermediate Member
Username: Bullet
Post Number: 372
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 5:35 am: |
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they both come in play, the twisting of the wires does also have a some what coil like effect.
thier is a formula for this but i cant remember it right off as i dont use this kind of wire for my antennas. |
Tech833
Moderator
Username: Tech833
Post Number: 872
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 10:47 am: |
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Stranded wire does have a slightly lower velocity factor than solid. However, compared to the effect of insulation on V.F., the 'twist' effect is negligible. |
