[amsat-bb] Stainless steel in antennas?

["Johann Lochner" <lochner@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi folks,

By probing a number of local hams, I have received many conflicting 
opinions about the use of stainless steel for building antennas.  It 
is successfully used in marine quadrifilar helixes (for the NOAA 
birds).  However, its low conductivity seems somewhat problematic.  
How important is low permeability?  Any recommendations for suitable 
grades?  When designing for extremely harsh environments (SANAE in 
Antarctica, -40 °C, 200 km/h winds) the strength of stainless steel 
sure is tempting.

73 de ZR1CBC, Johann

+------------------------------------------------+
  JG Lochner  ESL, Universiteit van Stellenbosch
  e-pos:      lochner@ing.sun.ac.za
  webtuiste:  http://esl.ee.sun.ac.za/~lochner
+------------------------------------------------+
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