RE: Aluminium Wire (fwd)

["Tesla list" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Tue, 18 Sep 2007 10:54:25 -0700
From: Dr.Hankenstein <Dr.Hankenstein@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: Tesla list <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: RE: Aluminium Wire  (fwd)

Good point, Gary, and nice job on the experimenting. 

I agree that aluminum works well for RF signals in the frequency range most
of us coilers deal with. For example: A 525kv, 1100megawatt-rated
transmission line strung with aluminum conductors stretching several
hundred miles might typically use a PLC (Power Line Carrier) with tuned
wavetraps on each end of the line for voice/data/relaying. They normally
operate in the frequency range of 30~500khz with only 80 watts of drive!
(That's only 0.000007% of the total power the line is carrying, for
comparison!).....and, they've been doing it for over 40 years effectively.
I don't think the power company would be doing this if the losses were too
great. I do prefer to see some substantiating results/comparisons such as
yours rather than a carte blanch statement suggesting that "aluminum is a
loser" for RF.

Woo
 
PS: 73's & nice antenna and ground switch arrangement, Ralph

> [Original Message]
> From: Tesla list <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
> To: <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
> Date: 9/28/2007 6:47:10 AM
> Subject: RE: Aluminium Wire  (fwd)
>
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> Date: Fri, 28 Sep 2007 07:42:06 -0400
> From: "Lau, Gary" <Gary.Lau@xxxxxx>
> To: Tesla list <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: RE: Aluminium Wire  (fwd)
>
> Yes, I believe that aluminum being "bad" for RF is just one of those
> myths that won't die.  I performed an exhaustive test of various primary
> conductor geometries, including Al vs. Cu wire.  Aside from the DC
> resistance being different, the Al primary did not exhibit any
> surprising increases in AC resistance as I swept from 40 KHz to 800 KHz.
> See http://www.laushaus.com/tesla/primary_resistance.htm
>
> Regards, Gary Lau
> MA, USA
>
> > From: Dr.Hankenstein <Dr.Hankenstein@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> > To: Tesla list <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
> > Subject: Re: Aluminium Wire  (fwd)
> > 
> > Why would aluminum be considered "bad" for RF?
> > My antennas work great...and they're made out of aluminum!
> > So does the top-load on my tesla coil...five foot cross section, 5kva
> input, 10 foot
> > sparks....and it's aluminum! see:
> http://www.drspark.org/images/wwt6.jpg
> > Perhaps working with unconventional materials and designs is what
> coiling is all
> > about; what do you think?.
> > 
> > Woo
> > 
> > 
> > > [Original Message]
> > > From: Tesla list <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
> > > To: <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
> > > Date: 9/27/2007 7:52:22 PM
> > > Subject: Re: Aluminium Wire  (fwd)
> > >
> > >
> > > ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> > > Date: Thu, 27 Sep 2007 18:21:09 -0500
> > > From: resonance <resonance@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
> > > To: Tesla list <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
> > > Subject: Re: Aluminium Wire  (fwd)
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Alum will work but limits your peak primary current.  Alum is not
> very good
> > > at RF frequencies.  It is used for 60 Hz commercial power
> transmission lines
> > > but not good above a few hundred Hz.
> > >
> > > Been there, done that, and took measurements.  Alum was a loser for
> best
> > > coil performance.
> > >
> > > Dr. Resonance
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Resonance Research Corp.
> > > www.resonanceresearch.com
>
>