[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]

another wire source

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]

Mesh at Home Hardware

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.

 

[Rkh63]

To add to the mesh list,my local Rona sells it in small rolls.I found it among the fencing materials.
Also Metal Supermarkets has a store in Mississauga.Save and replay is also in Miss.,you could try them for the CM balun,

 

[stampeder]

In the following thread northyork has posted a list of electronics stores in the Toronto area for picking up baluns and other OTA gear:

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=23984

 

[Benji101]

Can't find copper wire in Montreal!

Hi! I'm new to this forum but I've read posts for quite some time now. I'm now ready to build my own antenna but can't find copper (or alu or steel) solid wire in the montreal area. I've made about 10 calls today, but the best thing I found is gauge 10 copper, but it comes in... 1,000 feet rolls!!
Anyone from the area knows where I could find what I need??

 

[balm]

benji101:

go to RD, R, HD, CT... electrical department, wiring on rack rolls at the back of the stores, they will cut you the length you need...get the 10-3 orange shielded wire... 10 gauge, 3 single wires inside (black, red, white, plus the ground) - strip out and use the 3 color shielded wires, and don't use the ground (bare) wire it's thinner...

By the way, I don't know if you noticed this yet, but service over the phone is at best risky, and inconsistent! Go in person and search, sometimes the store employees are learning about their products along with you...that's normal today...

You won't find 6 gauge, or 8 gauge I think either, other than in braided (strand) format - don't use this

They also have the black PVC, grey schedule 40, EMT, and galvanized piping (electrical, plumbing departments) - any of this piping will bend past 3 ft unbraced lengths. You can also go to the hardware aisle at the end, standing in slots, for various 3, 4, 6 ft lengths of metals in all forms and types of metal (angles, tubes, flats...)

For the hardware, go to the hardware aisle, they have bolts, screws, washers, angles, plates, brackets up to 12", etc - all types of steel (zinc plate, brass, galvanized...)

Other useful aisles are the the finishing moldings, they have all type of wood molding, but also metal (aluminum) moldings

For the reflector they sell small rolls of galvanized fence meshing, at the back wall, near the cement / fencing materials. the smallest quantity comes with 1"x1" openings, 3x5' ft roll I believe. Anything smaller is too flimsy, anything larger is heavier gauge and large expensive rolls. I finally found some heavier gauge 1"x1", sold by the length, at RONA on St-Jacques..

For antenna masting and mast mounts, a useful aisle is the shelving aisle at the end of the store, they sell long angle brackets (12 - 20"). Also a metal yard, such as AL in Lachine, will have all kind of piping for half the price...


hope this gets you started..

 

[Benji101]

thx

I'm going to re-check at my local Rona (bélanger on Masson) to find cable you're talking about. Are you talking about stove wire basically? Someone over the phone told me it would be the thing looking most like what I'm searching...

I know about low relayability of "over the phone info", since this is not my first DIY project I'm rarely using what I buy in stores for their main purpose! For example, I searched a lot some time ago for a gaz-stove lighter (piezzo-electric one) to make a sensor cleaner for my digital camera. Never found one!

 

[Benji101]

How to strip it?

I'm back and found the orange wire you talked about. But then, how do you strip 2 meter long cable? I began with scissors, but I can see it's damaging the copper. How to strip it efficiently?

Also, I think it's been debated in another thread, but why strip it? is it really less effective if you don't?

 

[balm]

benji101:

For the technical stuff go here:

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=186

There are many useful threads there to help you, including one I started -''Bow-tie help''. And many much more technically savy, experienced folks there...

Use an exacto type blade/knife at low angle to the wire, push away with the knife, holding down the wire then it's easy to peel off what remains

 

[dorthensensens]

Where to buy copper wire #6 in Montreal?

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.