[TowerTalk] Liquid Metal antenna?

[kd4e]

Mike:

    Someone didn't read closely and wrote assuming you
were using mercury vs Galinstan.

    The concept is fascinating, sort of a liquid SteppIR beam!

Questions:

1.  How quickly does the Galinstan heat in the presence of
RF energy and how does that vary at different frequencies?

2.  Do the qualities of Galinstan change when heated so it
becomes unstable in any significant way?

3.  What is the cost of Galinstan in the quantities necessary
to build a HF antenna?

4.  Does the Galinstan attack the gasket material?

    I have taken the liberty of copying this thread to the
towertalk at contesting.com list as there are engineers on
the list far more competent to ask important questions
than am I.

    Some folks in Hamdom will attack the idea without fully
exploring it first, some may have already been part of a
project somewhere where Galinstan has been tested, and others
will simply enjoy the intellectual exercise of considering
your creative suggestion.

    The latter is what always fascinated be about Amateur Radio
as a lifelong hobby, the willingness to explore new ideas!

    73, doc kd4e

> 1st, here is the website for the inventors of the Galinstan liquid 
> metal that I am using:
> 
> http://rgmd.com/therm/faq/
> 
> 2nd, please look at my website for use and application details.  I 
> have animated drawings, and will add information to clarify issues 
> such as your concerns:
> 
> http://www.hamdomain.com/lm-antenna/
> 
> Most antennas have connectors, supports, and structural bumps that 
> affect impedance and resonance at a given length.  The effect of 
> storing the unused portion of liquid metal at the bottom when 
> adjusted for minimum length / maximum frequency is not very 
> significant.  On my website I even discuss how to keep constant 
> impedance if it becomes an issue.
> 
> Using motor driven telescopic elements, a slinky or similar as you 
> suggest have been tried by me.  They are not as simple mechanically 
> or electrically as I can make my Liquid Metal Antenna.  Where do you 
> store the unused material with solid and wire elements, and keep the 
> proper impedance?  What about contacts?  If it could be done easily 
> and cheaply with solid elements I would do it.  I control the liquid 
> metal with air pressure from an aquarium pump.  A solid antenna 
> usually requires more expensive methods to adjust.
> 
> Besides, how easily could you make a Yagi Beam antenna that 
> adjusts?  I tell you how to do it with Galinstan liquid metal on my 
> HamDomain.com website.  I could modify a 5 element Yagi for wider 
> bandwidth with constant directivity and gain for less than $50.  No 
> BS!
> 
> My prototype works and the cat approves.  (See the picture on 
> HamDomain.com.)  Having worked with it for the last few weeks, I do 
> not mind negative comments.  It is the potential that worries me.  I 
> have health problems from being paralyzed for the past two years and 
> would like to see all the benefits of the idea before I die.  It is 
> one reason that I did not care to patent the idea.
> 
> Besides, even if it used mercury there would be worthwhile 
> applications.  Mankind teaches it's self to be so narrow in focus 
> that major, simple, ideas may be waiting to be discovered.  I try to 
> see the world for what it is, not for what people try to convince me.
> 
> Sincerely,
> Mike Lake - KD8CIK


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A blessed New Year to all!
Thanks! & 73, doc kd4e

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