wrote in message
oups.com...
I am wanting to get into amateur radio antenna building most plans for
a j pole antenna I have seen use 1/2 inch coper tubing. I was wondering
if I could use stainless steel to make it rust proof. Any ideas where
one could cheaply get small diameter stainless stell tubing?
Any of you out there work with amateure radio antennas?


Stainless would work OK for a j pole. You probably couldnt notice the
difference by ear when operating at frequencies below 400 MHz.
It has always been my experience with HAM antennas that I wouldnt invest
much time in any design that wasnt close to *the best* performance. Copper
is really a good performer for antennas. Aluminum, is often a necessary
compromise. Stainless is great for automotive mounted antennas.
I suggest you post your question on Rec RadioAmatuer Antenna. There are
some *very* well informed guys there.

Jerry