I am very interested in building a circular "quad" ( loop ) to extend the range of my 2m rig, and have done extensive research into design parameters and construction. However, I cannot find any comparative data on construction materials. Nor can I find any info about the possibility of using coax for the elements. Yeah yeah I know its probably a loopy idea, but here goes anyway:
Make the driven element ( and the others for that matter ) by stripping off the outer cover off the ends of the coax cut to length , and then peeling the shield back to get to the inner conductor. Cut the inner conductor and then put a dob of silicon on the end of it to prevent the braid touching it. Then use the braid as the radiating element and connect it up as if it were a "solid" element.
Or, alternatively and more wastefully, strip off all the outer cover and all the braid and use the inner conductor as the element. I'm quite sure this would work, but not so sure about using the braid as the elements..
Has anyone tried this? Perhaps I'm part of the lunatic fringe, but it seemed to be a good idea to use the inherent stiffness of the coax to advantage to get the loops as circular as possible.
I'd be very interested also in getting any advice on 2m quad and loop design and construction from those who have experimented with it.
