OTA: Finding Antenna-Build Parts in Canada

[jbkeh]

Either I'm a total klutz (likely) or there is some dark secret, but how does one search for the bits and pieces in order to build an antenna? Specifically in the Mississauga area?

Most specifically, the Channel Master balun?

Also, I'm thinking of making a mock-up using Styrofoam slabs and stranded flexible wire (cut slits in foam to define shape and simply press the wire into them). Yes the wind load would be fantastic, but this is just a prototype attempt. Where to find flexible wire of appropriate diameter?

Any and all advice appreciated (including comments on sanity).

[wildwillie]

i was in canadian tire and in the electro department were the switches and boxes are they had some 6mm copper grounding wire on a roll that can be used and gives you enough to make reflectors als0 you need a drill to striaghten it though
they also have some of the grey 3/4 or 1/2 in pcb pipe . I got my T's at the T.S.C . store

look around any hardware store you will find what you need.

[300ohm]

As for locating stuff in Canada, look at mlords posts. Hes pretty good at scrounging up stuff.

Also, I'm thinking of making a mock-up using Styrofoam slabs and stranded flexible wire (cut slits in foam to define shape and simply press the wire into them). Yes the wind load would be fantastic, but this is just a prototype attempt. Where to find flexible wire of appropriate diameter?

I wouldnt use stranded wire. Common solid copper house wiring available anywhere is a better choice.

[chico2]

No, you’re not a ‘total klutz’. Half the components mentioned by our American forumites are either not available here in Canada, or, are only available at five times the price.

As 300ohm said, scrounging is our best option. Hopefully you can find what you need at a surplus or scrap yard.

Here are a couple of examples of what I have had to do to find what is readily available on the southern side of the boarder:
Aluminum wire—I can’t even purchase it at electrical wholsalers. I have found 12’ lengths of 1/8”, 3/16, and ¼” aluminum rod at Metal Supermarkets.
Schedule 40 plumbing fittings—Lowes and HomeDepot will sell you the pipe but they only sell the lower grade fittings. I have to go to a Plumbing specialty store to get them for $2 a fitting.

Here in Canada the total cost of a quality DIY exterior antenna (built to withstand the elements) is practically the same as what our American forumites would pay for a good brand name antenna. This is especially true if you factor in the cost of the remaining 97 feet of rolled galvanized fencing in your garage.

[galoot]

I made the zigzag elements for a GH out of those wire-frame signs that appear on people's front yard. They get thrown in the trash all the time, and I rescue them, usually to make tent pegs for the Scout Troop (they lose a dozen every time they go camping) but also (now) to make antennas.

The last bunch I got were 3/16 inch diameter, very handy size for antenna work, but difficult to straighten.

Darrell

[stampeder]

Home Hardware (which is not Home Depot) carries several types of mesh with the following part numbers so that you can price them out. No idea if they sell these bulk off the roll:

Galvanized Corn Crib Fence (ideal for GH reflectors)
12.5ga 2" x 4" mesh 48" x 50'
5243-257

Galvanized Corn Crib Fence (ideal for GH reflectors)
12.5ga 2" x 4" mesh 60" x 50'
5243-266

Galvanized Hardware Cloth - its metal, not fabric
19ga .5" x .5" mesh 24" x 5'
5258-909

Galvanized Hardware Cloth - its metal, not fabric
19ga .5" x .5" mesh 36" x 5'
5258-918

And they have a bunch of other types of chicken wire, hardware cloth, etc.

[dorthensensens]

We're trying to build a GH with VHF and while trying to find parts, we have found that no one in our area sells solid copper wire number 6. Can anyone who as built a GH let me know where they got their. Copper wire? Thanks.

[300ohm]

Did you try all your local electrical supply shops (and talk to people that really know the inventory) ? I realize that in Canada they use stranded #6 instead of solid #6 for typical grounding wire. Either IMO is just as good for a ground wire, as in a direct lightning hit, both would be toast heh.

[dorthensensens]

We've tried a few places actually. We are thinking to try eBay. So are you saying that we can use the twisted threaded 6 rather than solid? What is the biggest we can go as we can easily get 12.

Thanks.

[dorthensensens]

I understand why this thread was moved but this subforum doesn't seem to be very forth coming with answers. Has no one on the mtl area made a dbgh antenna?

[RobertK]

Under Canadian Electrical code, the biggest wire that can be soild is
10 AWG. Any wire bigger than this will be too difficult too pull into
pipes with 90" bends and offsets.
That is why you can't find any, because no one makes it.

[RamKat]

Under Canadian Electrical code, the biggest wire that can be soild is
10 AWG. Any wire bigger than this will be too difficult too pull into
pipes with 90" bends and offsets.
That is why you can't find any, because no one makes it.

That explains!

[cheap_guy]

I'm not sure how easy this might be to bend, but you can try aluminum rods from reno depot. Its a little pricey, but should be about the right gauge and Al conducts better than Cu to boot.

[ScaryBob]

I am trying to source parts for a SGBH build as described in this post.

Here is my result:

2 - 10 foot pieces of 1/2" sch 40 600psi pvc pipe. @ $4.99 - $10
2 - 1/2" sch 40 pvc elbows. @ $0.49 - $1
1 - 1/2" sch 40 pvc cross. Not Available - N/A
17 - 1/2" sch 40 pvc tees. (Buy 2 contractor 10 packs) @ $0.80 = $15
30 - Nylon wire ties. (Buy a 50 pack) = $3
36 - 1/2" x #6 plated wood screws. (Buy a 50 or 100 pack) = $4
2 - 5 foot pieces 6 gauge solid copper wire. - N/A
One 5 foot piece of 10-2 solid wire and stripping it. @ $5.65/m = $11
1 - 30" by 40" 10 gauge piece of fencing 15' roll = $20
2 - 1 1/4" ID u-bolts to clamp antenna to mast. @ $11.49 = $23
4 - #10 x 1" stainless or brass pan head screws. @ $0.25 = $1
2 - #10 x 1 1/2" brass bolts. @ $0.75 = $1.50
4 - #10 brass nuts. @ 0.25 = $2.50
10 - #10 brass or copper washers. @ 0.25 = $2.50
1 - Tube Plumbers Goop. Small Can = $5
4 - Sch 40 pvc caps. 10 @ $0.49 = $5
1 - 300ohm to 75 ohm balun @ $6.49 + S&H = $15

Total = $120

Needless to say, I was shocked.

So... how and where are people sourcing parts, in Canada, for a reasonable price? Don't say Lowes because there isn't one within a reasonable distance. First I tried to price and source the stuff online. That was a loss because most stores (such as Lowes, Home Depot and TSC) don't list small plumbing, hardware and electrical supplies online. (Home Depot does list some I couldn't find what I needed.) I visited 3 stores today and they either didn't carry the stuff, were out of stock on some items or didn't have enough stock.

[rlongfield]

So I wandered over to Home Depot this past weekend to price out some wire for my antenna build and I quickly walked out, first of all they don't carry any solid core copper wire that isn't in romex or bundled for house wiring and the one wire that was suitable was running somewhere around $5 a metre (which seemed awfully expensive).

So where do you buy your wire? I am in Kingston so if any fellow Kingstonian's can tell me where you get your wire I would be very grateful.