Best wire for FM reception (car antenna)

Archived from groups: rec.radio.amateur.antenna,rec.audio.car,rec.audio.tech (More info?)

On Thu, 8 Sep 2005 19:51:11 -0400, "Frank" <NOSPAM@NOSPAM.com> wrote:
>What is the best type of "wire" for making a homemade car antenna
>to pick up FM radio. Is it copper? Aluminium? What thickness or
>size. Lenght?

Hi Frank,

Try welding rod.

73's
Richard Clark, KB7QHC

Archived from groups: rec.radio.amateur.antenna,rec.audio.car,rec.audio.tech (More info?)

"Jim - NN7K" <nn7kexk7zfg@NOSPAMsbcglobal.net> wrote in message
news:ap4Ue.2814$I7.2658@newssvr25.news.prodigy.net...
> Or "Brazeing Rod" might be more acceptable, as most welding rod have seen
> is coated with flux -- Jim NN7K
>
>
> Richard Clark wrote:
>> On Thu, 8 Sep 2005 19:51:11 -0400, "Frank" <NOSPAM@NOSPAM.com> wrote:
>>
>>>What is the best type of "wire" for making a homemade car antenna to pick
>>>up FM radio. Is it copper? Aluminium? What thickness or size. Lenght?
>>
>>
>> Hi Frank,
>>
>> Try welding rod.
>>
>> 73's
>> Richard Clark, KB7QHC

Arc welding rods are usually coated. Gas welding rods are not, and could be
brass, steel etc.

Archived from groups: rec.radio.amateur.antenna,rec.audio.car,rec.audio.tech (More info?)

Richard Crowley wrote:
> "Frank" wrote:
>
>> What is the best type of "wire" for making a homemade
>> car antenna to pick up FM radio. Is it copper? Aluminium?
>
>
> Traditional is steel (i.e. coat-hanger wire :-)
>
> In reality, it makes no difference except mechanically.
>
>> What thickness or size.
>
>
> It is a mechanical issue. What makes it self-supporting?
> Electrically it is of no significance.
>
>> Lenght?
>
>
> Well, the middle of the FM broadcast band is ~98MHz
> and 1/4 wavelength is ~28.5 inches.
> http://www.csgnetwork.com/antennag [...] ncalc.html

The average car antenna is 31" in length.

Ed

Archived from groups: rec.radio.amateur.antenna,rec.audio.car,rec.audio.tech (More info?)

On Thu, 8 Sep 2005 19:51:11 -0400, "Frank" <NOSPAM@NOSPAM.com> wrote:

>What is the best type of "wire" for making a homemade car antenna
>to pick up FM radio. Is it copper? Aluminium? What thickness or
>size. Lenght?


Copper will turn a pretty green colour and isn't particularly strong.
A steel coat hanger is traditional and works perfectly well.
Electrically, anything conductive will do. Your only considerations
are mechanical and appearance.

About 30 inches is an optimum length. Half that will do.

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