[Antennas] PLASTIC EGG MICROWAVE TEST

Fri Jun 25 20:46:05 EDT 2004

Harvey's suggestion was so fascinating that I couldn't resist running his
experiment right after reading his posting.
The only known source of "cheapie plastic egg insulators" I had were the
ones from Dare Products that I got at Farm & Fleet (they were the black
ones). I took one from the bag, and popped it into the 600w microwave oven
along with a 32 ounce plastic measuring cup full of water. I had a sheet of
waxed paper under the insulator, just in case there was a meltdown. The
microwave ran at full power for 60 seconds, and then I inspected the
insulator. I touched it quickly in case it was hot, but not melted. No
problem, not even warm, and obviously not melted. I checked the water just
to be sure, and it was warm. This seems to speak well of these insulators.
I'm sure that the ceramic ones are better, but this "adequate technology"
certainly meets my current requirements. I have had some of this type of
insulator up in the air attached to an 80m top loaded vertical for at least
10 years, and they haven't crumbled or deformed. Most of my operation on
that band has been around 50 - 100w.
I think Harvey's experiment is an excellent suggestion, and I'm happy to
report that my lifetime supply of egg insulators passed the test.
Tnx & 73,
ed - k9ew
----- Original Message -----
From: "Harvey&Bessie" <w4tg at bellsouth.net>
To: "James Duffer" <dufferjames at hotmail.com>
Cc: <edworst at att.net>; <antennas at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Thursday, June 24, 2004 10:07 AM
Subject: Re: [Antennas] PLASTIC EGG INSULATORS
> To see how "good" they are (dielectric loss) put one of them in a
microwave oven for 1
> minute or so, if it heats up it's a poor dielectric, if it stays cool, a
good one. Note:
> to protect the magnetron in your microwave, put a cup of water in the oven
while making
> this test, to serve as a load in case the insulator has a good dielectric
(doesn't absorb
> much power).
> Harvey/W4TG
>