> -----Original Message----- > From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Repeater- > buil...@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of wd8chl > Sent: Wednesday, March 17, 2010 1:36 PM > To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com > Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] Re: Copper pipe rather than 2/0 copper > wire > > On 3/17/2010 12:11 PM, Gary Schafer wrote: > > 5/8 OD gives you 1.96 inches (5/8 x 3.14) of surface area. 1 inch > copper > > strap gives 2 inches of surface area. > > > > 2 inch copper strap gives you 4 inches surface area. Copper strap > should be > > less expensive than copper tubing.__,_._,__ > > > > Why would you use copper tubing? > > Because it's cheaper and a lot easier to find. Many people probably > already have some laying around scrap. > Hardware stores don't carry copper strap. I know I would have to order > it from someone like Tessco or someone else that sells tower site > supplies.
A quick google search turns up this: http://www.dxengineering.com/Products.asp?ID=102&SecID=51&DeptID=19 2 inch strap for $1.83 per foot. Someone earlier said that 1/2 inch copper pipe cost around $2.20 per foot. If 1/2 inch pipe is really 5/8 inch outside diameter that would give you a surface area, as I said before, of 1.96 inches. 2 inch copper strap would give you a surface area of 4 inches. Better than twice the surface area of the pipe and less money. To get the same surface area with pipe as with copper strap you would have to pay about $4.50 per foot for pipe verses $1.96 for strap. Doesn't look cheaper to me. 73 Gary K4FMX
