Suppliers
Here is a list Supply Houses that have many useful products
for
Antenna Construction
KQ6RH
Ray Jurgens
(Up-Dated 2/25/2000)
Sources of fiberglass rods & tubes:
Max-Gain Systems, Inc., 221 Greencrest Ct., Marietta, GA 30068-3825
They have a wide selection of fiber glass rods and tubes in sizes that telescope from 1/8" to 2".
CalStar, Tackle Specialties Inc., 1251 W. 132nd St., Gardena, CA 90247
They make some of the nicest fiber glass tapered tubes in lengths up to 10' that I've found anywhere. Of course, the price is not so nice. These are actually blank fishing rods that are sold in many high-end tackle stores. In the Los Angeles area, try Johnny's Sports Shop , 1402 Lincoln Ave., Pasadena, CA , Ph: (818) 797-8839 Note, these are available with carbon fiber that is even stronger than the fiber glass.
________________________________________________________________________________________
Antenna Modeling Software:
MININEC: EM Scientific, Inc., 2533 N. Carson St., Suite 2107, Carson City, NV 89706
EZNEC, ELEC: Roy Lewallen, W7EL, PO Box 6658, Beaverton, OR 97007
AO, YO: Brian Beezley, K6STI, 3532 Linda Vista, San Marcos, CA 92069
________________________________________________________________________________________
Some things you might need for light weight design can be found in the fishing department:
Monofilament line: Danielson #418C 40 lb. test line. Kent, WA 98064
Leader Crimper: Sevenstrand
Leader Sleeves: Sevenstrand #AM9 Use these to secure the loops in the monofilament line. They also work with Kevlar thread, but you should tie a knot behind the sleeve to be sure the free end doesn't pull through.
Swivels: Scotchline Size 7 (BISS-8-7) or larger. These make great clips for attaching guy lines to the eye-bolts. I normally cut off the swivel and use only the snaps. I have tested these to 40 lbs. The line eventually breaks at the end of the loop, but the clips hold. (These are distributed by K-Mart)
Snaps: If cutting off the swivels seems wasteful, then there are even better clips. I've tested Scotchline size 4 (144-DLS). These are stainless steel, and stronger than the swivels above. To prevent the monofilament line from breaking, slide on a 1.5" Teflon sleeve, then make two loops around the clip-eye before pulling in the crimp connector until it is snug with the Teflon sleeve. (K-Mart)
Side Mount and Rail Mount Adaptor Kit: Roberts, this is a mount designed for holding a fishing pole to a boat rail, there is a notch in the center of the mount that prevents the pole handle from going through. You can drill this out with a 3/4" drill or file it with a rat-tail file. This mount makes a perfect light weight boom holder for 3/4" fiber glass rods or tubes.
________________________________________________________________________________________
Misc. Hardware:
Chicago Hardware & Fixture Company, 9100 Park Ave., Franklin PK, Chicago, IL
McMaster-Carr, P.O. Box 54960, Los Angeles, CA 90054-0960
Ph: (562) 692-2932
________________________________________________________________________________________
Sources of wire, transmission line and Dacron guy ropes etc.:
Cable X-Perts Inc., 416 Diens Dr., Wheeling, IL 60090
Davis RF, P.O. Box 730, Carlisle, MA 01741
Radio Bookstore & Radioware, PO Box 209, Rindge, NH 03461
The Radio Works, PO Box 6159, Portsmouth, VA 23703
The Wireman, Inc., 261 Pittman Road, Landrum, SC 29356
________________________________________________________________________________________