[Antennas] Windshield wiper metal strips - what are they made of ?

Tue Jul 12 13:08:14 EDT 2005

I was replacing the windshield wiper blades yesterday ( I only buy the
refills and reuse the existing wiper 'arms') and noticed that the two
metal strips in each blade just might make some good material for
antenna building.
Of course, my wife's first comment was: "What are you saving those for
?". She is not afflicted with the general hobbyist's syndrome called
"Pack Rat Scrounger Disease", something that I've suffered from for
many, many years. The outcome of this 'syndrome' is numerous 'growths'
(Rubbermaid Junk Bins) in the lofts of both my garage and outbuilding.
I've labeled them 'radio junk' and instructed my wife and now adult
children, in case of my demise, to just call up the repeater club and
offer them free to the first one who shows up with a truck!
I saved the two strips from each blade (passenger side blade is 20" and
the driver side one is 24"), so I now have two 24" and two 20" strips..
hmmm... starting to sound like the makings of a VHF or UHF yagi - or
maybe even a quad if I can figure out a good way to connect the strips.
The arranged so the thin side is into the wind, the material would have
very little wind loading. The metal is not tempered to the point that a
typical round whip is, and would probably kink is bent much
These strips are made from a non-magnetic material. It's does not
appear to be an aluminum alloy, and look unlike any stainless I've had..
although it could be a lower cost allow of stainless steel. These
blades have been outside on my car for two years now - through two road
salting winters and two blazing summers - and show absolutely no signs
rust or corrosion.
A call to Trico got a 'blank stare' over the phone, and had them asking
why I wanted to know. Manufacturers seem to worry more about their
products ending up in a product liability law suit than about making
their customers happy.
Does anyone know what this metal is ?
Does anyone know of this material can be easily soldered ?
It does appear that it would take a crimp ferrule if it can't be easily
soldered or even brazed with something hotter than propane - like a
mapgas torch.
====
73, Frank
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