[amsat-bb] Insulated AWG to bare copper or aluminum

[Bob]

The best I can do for you comes from the documentation for antenna modeling
software which does cover the impact of the element diameter.  The impact
on the driven reflector is almost zero.  The impact on the directors is not
quite zero.

Doubling the diameter of the element, example going from 12.5mm to 25mm
(1/2" to 1") will cause the driven element to SHORTEN by 5mm (that's about
0.2 inches).  In other words, you can pretty much forget it.  The impact on
the directors is larger, SHORTENING it about 25mm, or an inch.  But even
so, these dimensional changes are FAR less significant that the changes due
to height, ground characteristics, and what else is near the antenna.  In
other words you can forget about factoring it in.

Same thing is pretty much true for insulated vs. non-insulated wire -- you
can pretty much forget about it.

Good luck!

73, Bob, WB4SON


On Thu, Oct 13, 2016 at 5:15 PM, James Hickox <jameshickox at sbcglobal.net>
wrote:

>  Hello All, I am wondering if there is any "simple" conversion factor to
> use to modify the length of an antenna element from insulated #10 AWG
> copper wire to anther gage of wire or to aluminum or copper tubing.  I
> don't wish to learn any modeling software at this time   I need the
> information so I can use materials I have on hand to build yagi antennas
> for 2 meters and 70 centimeters.
>   Thanks and 73,James, AA5AO
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