I just figured out how to weld brass, so I'm building a VHF 1/4 wave vertical with some 1/8" brass rod bought at the hardware store.

I made a circle big enough for one of those VHF connectors with the threaded body, and welded 4 pieces to it act as the radials. I then filed down the end of a brass rod small enough to solder to the center conductor of the SO-239. I'm going to cover it in epoxy for strength and to keep the water out.

My question is: Will this be durable mounted outdoors? Is there a reason why brass isn't used much for antennas? What about epoxy? Am I asking for trouble here?

Steven KO6G wrote:

I just figured out how to weld brass, so I'm building a VHF 1/4 wave
vertical with some 1/8" brass rod bought at the hardware store.

I made a circle big enough for one of those VHF connectors with the
threaded body, and welded 4 pieces to it act as the radials. I then
filed down the end of a brass rod small enough to solder to the center
conductor of the SO-239. I'm going to cover it in epoxy for strength
and to keep the water out.

My question is: Will this be durable mounted outdoors? Is there a
reason why brass isn't used much for antennas? What about epoxy? Am I
asking for trouble here?

Brass is heavier and more expensive than aluminum in general, so isn't
much used below UHF.

It is easier to solder to and make physical connection to than aluminum.

I've made a number of UHF antennas out of brass brazing rod and never
had a problem.

FYI, it is easier to make adapters from hobby store brass tubing than
it is to file things down.

Tubing also makes a nice extension to the rod to fine tune the length.

--
Jim Pennino

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Steven KO6G wrote:

I just figured out how to weld brass, so I'm building a VHF 1/4 wave
vertical with some 1/8" brass rod bought at the hardware store.

I made a circle big enough for one of those VHF connectors with the
threaded body, and welded 4 pieces to it act as the radials. I then
filed down the end of a brass rod small enough to solder to the center
conductor of the SO-239. I'm going to cover it in epoxy for strength
and to keep the water out.

My question is: Will this be durable mounted outdoors? Is there a
reason why brass isn't used much for antennas? What about epoxy? Am I
asking for trouble here?

Brass is heavier and more expensive than aluminum in general, so isn't
much used below UHF.

It is easier to solder to and make physical connection to than aluminum.

I've made a number of UHF antennas out of brass brazing rod and never
had a problem.

FYI, it is easier to make adapters from hobby store brass tubing than
it is to file things down.

Tubing also makes a nice extension to the rod to fine tune the length.

--
Jim Pennino

Remove .spam.sux to reply.

After your brass/copper/bronze antenna has been tuned, etc., clean it up
well, let it dry and then spray it with Krylon clear paint. The Krylon will
prevent a patina from forming any time soon and will keep your metal shiny,
if it was shiny to begin with.

Ed, AJ4PJ