[TowerTalk] Choice of aluminum

[john at kk9a.com]

6061-T6 is excellent material for antennas.  I use it for all of my yagis. 
You should buy DOM tubing for the upper sections of the vertical with a .058 
wall if you want a nice fit for telescoping sections.   A 1" top section is 
too large if you are building a freestanding vertical.

John KK9A



To:"towertalk at contesting.com" <towertalk at contesting.com>
Subject:[TowerTalk] Choice of aluminum
From:Rudy Bakalov <r_bakalov at yahoo.com>
Date:Sat, 13 Oct 2012 14:09:17 -0700 (PDT)

I was wondering if anyone can help me select the right material for 
full-size
80m verticals. My questions are as follows:

1) metalsupermarkets.com offers 6061-T6 aluminum, but not T8. Is there a
difference between T6 and T8 for my purpose?
2) Should go for the 0.125 or 0.065 wall thickness?
3) Is 1" tubing OK for the topmost segment? Too stiff for the wind at 70'? 
Not
strong enough?


I am aware that many ham stores offer 6061-T8 tubing, but I do want to buy 
it
local in VE3, close to my QTH, in 12' lengths (instead of 6') and avoid
shipping complications due to length or clearing customs.

73 Rudy N2WQ