[Antennas] "Stealth color for masts", reprise

Wed Oct 18 23:20:02 EDT 2006

Hi All,
First, in case I missed answering anyone directly, I'd like to thank all who 
replied to my query for a "stealth" color to paint my masts, which are in a 
highly visible mobile home park environment.
The general consensus seemed to be that flat black or dark gray, possibly 
with some brown mottling might be best, though sky blue would also be better 
than the white color of PVC pipe.
HOWEVER, something I didn't really think about until I was assembling the 
antenna head, which is also contained in a section of PVC pipe. That is, 
heat and the active electronics. The LF antenna in question is an active 
whip that uses an FET and a Bipolar transistor, biased at a moderately high 
current level (meaning there is some heat created). Add to the equation 
that Central California is a very hot area in the summer, 110 degrees F in 
the sun not being unusual, a black or dark colored PVC pipe would create a 
very efficient "Heat pipe" to channel "superheated air" right up into the 
antenna head at the top of the pipe. NOT a pretty picture for electronic 
equip.
So, I guess that I'll keep it plain white and live with it ;-) Of course I 
could "cool" the head unit with a stream of cold Nitrogen, which would have 
the added benefit of lowering the noise figure of the antenna. Nah, it'd 
cost too much.
73 de Phil, KO6BB
DX begins at the noise floor!
THE BEACONEER'S LAIR: http://www.geocities.com/ko6bb/
MY RADIO-LOGS: http://www.geocities.com/ko6bb/Logs/
QSL GALLERY: http://photobucket.com/albums/f306/KO6BB/
Merced, Central California, 37.3N 120.48W CM97sh