Anodized Alumium for Antenna Elements

Howard Eisenhauer · 2005-04-08T01:26:54+00:00

Hi folks, I'm in the process of building myself a screwdriver antennafor my truck. Being the vain sort, I'd like it to end up being blackas that matches nicely with the other bitties sticking out of thevehicle. Q.- Does anodyzing negatively impact aluminum's ability to efficientlyradiate? I seem to recall reading somewheres that anodyzing leaves anon-conductive surface, but on the other hand aluminum oxide ain'tsupposed to be that great a conductor either & that whats on thesurface of any piece of aluminum thats seen air for more than a fewminutes.Enquiring Minds want To Know-Howard.

Apr 08, 2005 43 Replies

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Bruce L. Bergman 21 years ago

Another rec.crafts.metalworking crosspost kibbitz: Double check that - they could have been owned for a while, but it's far more likely H-P ordered some made by Boonton in gray cases with the H-P name on them. Far cheaper than H-P duplicating them from scratch, and doing a total redesign so they don't infringe on any patents.

Happens all the time - for one example, Sears doesn't build power or hand tools themselves, but they have the OEM suppliers put their name on tons of them. Sometimes they're customer specific designs, others are only 'badge engineered' from an existing design and change the plastic feedstock color in the case molding machine.

In the past I've saved an average 20% by going to the OEM (like Skil-Bosch) for parts when you can identify them, rather than the Sears Parts Center.

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Roy Lewallen 21 years ago

The problem with aluminum at the coast isn't an oxide that has to be removed. It's just the opposite -- the problem is that salt water removes the oxide that needs to be kept intact. Aluminum is a very active metal, which oxidizes almost immediately on exposure to air. The oxide is a hard, non-porous ceramic which, after forming a very thin layer, prevents any further contact of the aluminum with air. The problem is that aluminum oxide is slightly soluble in salt water and other acids. So the oxide coating is removed by the salt water, exposing more aluminum to salt water and air, allowing it to corrode. It does help to coat metals with grease, but only because it prevents the salt water from contacting the metal or, in the case of aluminum, the oxide coating. But the last thing you want to do is intentionally remove the oxide coating.

Roy Lewallen, W7EL

Bruce L. Bergman wrote:

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Crazy George 21 years ago

Both half wrong. Back in the dark ages there were two Boontons. BRC, Boonton Radio Co., and Boonton Electronics who dropped the Electronics when HP absorbed BRC. Both were in the electronic instrumentation business. Used to drive purchasing agents berserk.

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