I am reworking a White Lightening 4 element quad. I want some of you guys thoughts on size and type of wire for the elements. I am thinking #12 or 14 gauge Davis flexweave coated. Is coated or bare the way to go. I am here in Ky and we do get ice in the winter. Thanks for your help.
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Quad question
- Thread starter The20poundhammer
- Start date
I know that some folks prefer bare wire for their antennas, but personally, I think that enameled motor winding wire is a better choice on the driven element. The enamel will have little to no effect on the wire's performance, but will protect the wire from the elements and prevent corrosion. I would go with #12 on the driven element. You can use a smaller wire size and/or bare wire on the parasitic elements if you want. 73s.
- 399
- 399
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Hello T20: I have rebuilt PDL II and Moonraker quad antennas, and made a few quads. And always needed to replace the factory wire.
The factory supplied 14 gauge enamel wire is the cheap stuff, that stretches over time. And throws off the antenna tuning.
I have used 10 Gauge Thermaleze wire not so much to handle higher power levels but to reduce stretching. The Thermaleze wire insulation is bullet proof and the good stuff. Most other insulations can be easily burned off with a solder iron and soldered, not this stuff, you will need to scrape it off to solder.
See: http://www.amidoncorp.com/thermaleze-coated-magnet-wire/
There are other types of wires out there like the steel copper plated wire and such.
Suggest you get a antenna analyzer to tune the L-4 quad antenna, as the analyzer will indicate were the antenna is working allowing you to tune and adjust it were you want it.
A telescoping tower that tilts over is also a big help and probably the easiest and safest way to tune / install the antenna. Its always best to stay out of the emergency ward and its cheaper in the long run to do it right. Good Luck.
Jay in the Great Mojave Desert
The factory supplied 14 gauge enamel wire is the cheap stuff, that stretches over time. And throws off the antenna tuning.
I have used 10 Gauge Thermaleze wire not so much to handle higher power levels but to reduce stretching. The Thermaleze wire insulation is bullet proof and the good stuff. Most other insulations can be easily burned off with a solder iron and soldered, not this stuff, you will need to scrape it off to solder.
See: http://www.amidoncorp.com/thermaleze-coated-magnet-wire/
There are other types of wires out there like the steel copper plated wire and such.
Suggest you get a antenna analyzer to tune the L-4 quad antenna, as the analyzer will indicate were the antenna is working allowing you to tune and adjust it were you want it.
A telescoping tower that tilts over is also a big help and probably the easiest and safest way to tune / install the antenna. Its always best to stay out of the emergency ward and its cheaper in the long run to do it right. Good Luck.
Jay in the Great Mojave Desert
I've always used enameled wire, but never heard of Thermaleze. Thanks for the info, Jay. 73s.
- 399
Before making any wire antenna that is length ctitical to tuning I always stretch the wire. I anchor one end in a vise and wrap a couple turns around something like a hammer handle and pull hard. You can feel the wire stretch and then stop. This eliminates any stretching after installation or keeps it to a bare minimum. It also makes the wire easy to handle and roll up by taking all the little kinks out.
I remember playing tug of war with a buddy of mine that helped me build a 4 element quad. You can definitely feel when it is done stretching!
73,
Brett
Those are all great suggestions
Great info guys thanks a lot. I ordered some Davis RF Fleaxweave 12 gauge pvc coated and see how that works.
That is a lot of weight up in the air. I hope your spreaders are made of titanium. Gem quad uses aluminum mig welding wire. 5356 to be exact.
Rich
Since the first Quad I built in 1988 I've used stranded copper wire for the driven and the same or guy wire for the reflector / directors.
I've seen (and repaired) far too many broken wires which were solid not stranded to ever risk using solid in any form.
Since my 1st Quad I've always stretched the wire & removed any plastic or rubber insulation, as it will affect the velocity factor of the wire - changing the tuning when UV finally rots it off, not to mention it's dang ugly to have pieces of insulation hanging off your antenna.
I prefer (well-stretched) basic nude copper stranded 12ga.
I've seen (and repaired) far too many broken wires which were solid not stranded to ever risk using solid in any form.
Since my 1st Quad I've always stretched the wire & removed any plastic or rubber insulation, as it will affect the velocity factor of the wire - changing the tuning when UV finally rots it off, not to mention it's dang ugly to have pieces of insulation hanging off your antenna.
I prefer (well-stretched) basic nude copper stranded 12ga.
Thanks guys that info has been great i will post up some pics when i get it reworked here in a couple weeks