Can you use a slinky as an antenna?
The Slinky dipole antenna, for those unfamiliar with it, uses two Slinky coils instead of wire for the dipole elements. The Slinkies used for the antenna have a bigger diameter than the Slinky toys. This allows you to use fewer turns than if you used the Slinky toys for your antenna. Jon had these coils specially made.
How long is the wire in a Slinky?
Each Slinky contains 67 feet of flat steel wire, and weighs approximately 1/2 pound. When a Slinky is compressed it is only 2-1/4 inch long, but it can be stretched into a helix as long as 15 feet in length without deforming.
What are the dimensions of the original Slinky?
3 x 3 x 2.5 inches
Product information
| Product Dimensions | 3 x 3 x 2.5 inches |
|---|---|
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Release date | July 15, 2020 |
| Department | Impulse |
| Manufacturer | Slinky |
What is Slinky wire?
White. The Cable Slinky is a stretchy cable wrap for grouping together many cables into one management bundle, great for desktop computers and TV entertainment systems. Soft, flexible and stretchable, all in one small package.
Is a G5RV any good?
I have been using this antenna for years and it’s excellent. But one must not have a VSWR phobia as it goes way high. You need a tuner and and very good coax as well as a solid common-mode-rejector. Good coax is needed to avoid coax-losses.
How many feet of steel are in a Slinky?
A Slinky is a toy made from a flexible 90-turn spring with a 2-3/4 inch diameter. Each Slinky contains 67 feet of flat steel wire, and weighs approximately 1/2 pound.
Why use slinkies for antennas?
The Slinkies used for the antenna have a bigger diameter than the Slinky toys. This allows you to use fewer turns than if you used the Slinky toys for your antenna. Jon had these coils specially made.
How long is a 15 foot antenna with a slinky coil?
However, a 15 ft long antenna made with a Slinky coil does not have an electrical length of 67 ft! The Slinky-wire is “helically” or “spirally” wound – basically a cylindrical coil. The diameter of the coil is small ( < 0.5%) compared to the wavelength that the antenna is used for.
How long is a slinky wire?
A Slinky is made of 67 feet of flat steel wire. However, a 15 ft long antenna made with a Slinky coil does not have an electrical length of 67 ft! The Slinky-wire is “helically” or “spirally” wound – basically a cylindrical coil. The diameter of the coil is small (< 0.5%) compared to the wavelength that the antenna is used for.
How do you make an antenna out of a slinky?
I built a Slinky antenna using a 1-3/4-in. diameter Slinky found in novelty stores. I used a “cross frame made from 3/4-in. PVC pipe. Each horizontal arm was 10-ft. long. The arms were glued into opposite sides of a four-way tell. Glue a 2-ft. piece vertically in the tee.