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Re: [CQ-Contest] 1/4 inch tubing

To: Stan Stockton <wa5rtg@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] 1/4 inch tubing
From: "Jorge Diez (CX6VM-CW5W)" <cx6vm.jorge@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 5 Jan 2026 11:02:32 -0300
List-post: <mailto:cq-contest@contesting.com>
DXE sell the 80 mts vertical antenna and it use 0.25’’ OD x 72’’ long 0.035 
wall thickness

I have this antenna, blended by the winds I think on the 0.50 or 0.625 
sections, nos sure. 

Fortunately the tip is ok, and hope DXE will sell this 0.25’’ OD x 72’’ long 
0.035 wall thickness in case I have a problem with it

73,
Jorge



> El 5 ene. 2026, a la(s) 10:31, Stan Stockton <wa5rtg@gmail.com> escribió:
> 
> Dave,
> 
> You know that I didn’t say it wouldn’t work.  The reason for his post was to 
> try to find a source of 1/4” x .058 wall tubing which apparently is not too 
> easy for him to find.   
> 
> We are talking about an element made of aluminum tubing.  Joe’s vertical is 
> aluminum tubing with a solid rod tip, elevated and self supporting.  
> 
> Neither DXE, Texas Towers or any other primary supplier of aluminum tubing 
> for hams has ever offered 1/4” x .058” wall tubing to the best of my 
> knowledge.  There is certainly no problem in making a 40m vertical that will 
> survive 100 MPH or more without using materials that are not readily 
> available and without using anything smaller than 3/8” which is readily 
> available.
> 
> If someone wanted to make a dipole using #15 wire my reaction would be the 
> same.  Why make it using a size that’s not readily available when a more 
> standard size is easier and less expensive to purchase.
> 
> Stan
> 
>> On Jan 4, 2026, at 10:23 AM, David Gilbert <ab7echo@gmail.com> wrote:
>> 
>> 
>> Why??  A suspended wire vertical would be a lot smaller than 1/8 inch and 
>> would work just fine.
>> 
>> Dave   AB7E
>> 
>> 
>>>> On 1/3/2026 7:04 PM, Stan Stockton wrote:
>>> Is the need for 1/4” tubing for 40 meter verticals?
>>> 
>>> I cannot imagine making a 40m vertical or any other HF vertical or half 
>>> wavelength element that would have anything smaller than 3/8” tubing at the 
>>> tip.
>>> 
>>> Stan, K5GO
>>> 
>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>> 
>>>>> On Jan 3, 2026, at 8:02 PM, Joe <nss@mwt.net> wrote:
>>>> 
>>>> I wasn't worried about stiffness.
>>>> It is the telescoping to the 1/8" rod. the 0.049, it was pretty tough to 
>>>> get a good grip to lock the rod in place too much slop.
>>>> 
>>>> Joe WB9SBD
>>>> 
>>>>> On 1/2/2026 11:54 PM, K9MA wrote:
>>>>>> On 1/2/2026 7:30 PM, Zack Widup wrote:
>>>>>> That's where I have been buying aluminum tubing. They don't have 0.058"
>>>>>> wall thickness in 1/4" diameter tubing, but the closest they have for 
>>>>>> that
>>>>>> diameter is 0.049", which I suspect will work.
>>>>> You don't get a whole lot of extra stiffness by going from a .049 to .058 
>>>>> inch wall thickness in tubing this small.
>>>>> 
>>>>> 73,
>>>>> Scott K9MA
>>>>> 
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