spray painting a parabolic antenna

mellow · 08-06-2002

I have some flat black paint i would like to spray a white 24db parabolic antenna with to minimize it standing out... anyone know if the paint would throw off the antenna's power?

Thorn · 08-06-2002

It shouldn't have any effect, as long as the paint is non-metallic.

bwsaloum · 08-06-2002

Quote:

Originally posted by Thorn
It shouldn't have any effect, as long as the paint is non-metallic.

So a flag sewn over an omni wouldn't be a big deal either?

bws

mshimek · 08-06-2002

Plastic/Fiberglass radome loss is around .5 DB. Wet/wet snow soaked Flag radome loss a lot!

Thorn · 08-06-2002

No. As long as it is "radio transparent" which basicly means no metal. If your worried you could try wrapping it in the fabric before sewing, and see if there's drop in signal. As long as there are no metallic threads, it shouldn't be a problem.

bwsaloum · 08-06-2002

Quote:

Originally posted by Thorn
No. As long as it is "radio transparent" which basicly means no metal. If your worried you could try wrapping it in the fabric before sewing, and see if there's drop in signal. As long as there are no metallic threads, it shouldn't be a problem.

Well, reason I ask is that I've got one of those flags you see atop everybody's car, nowadays... It appears to be all nylon... And in order to look a little less conspicious, I was thinking about removing the flag and affixing it to a 3dbi omni, that I've recently acquired.

I mean hell, the jeep looks like a porcupine as it is right now... Mainly, scanners, and CB antennae... I'm thinking that a bulky lilly white omni is going to stick out pretty bad. And gawd knows, I've got enough people nervous as it is.

bws

Thorn · 08-06-2002

Quote:

Originally posted by mshimek
Plastic/Fiberglass radome loss is around .5 DB. Wet/wet snow soaked Flag radome loss a lot!

Ya got me! I didn't think of a wet flag.

lincomatic · 08-06-2002

i can see a metallic radome causing problems, but why should metallic paint cause loss? seems to me it's just like plating the dish w/ a thin layer of metal. shouldn't alter the characteristics much should it?

gforce · 08-06-2002

I have a Hyperlink Technologies white Yagi antenna that I painted black so that it wouldn't stand out so much with some cheap flat black spray paint. As one would suspect, from my measurements, it didn't affect the gain of the antenna at all. Of course now the thing looks like some sort of pipe bomb...

Thorn · 08-06-2002

Quote:

Originally posted by lincomatic
i can see a metallic radome causing problems, but why should metallic paint cause loss? seems to me it's just like plating the dish w/ a thin layer of metal. shouldn't alter the characteristics much should it?

It might not cause a problem, but why chance it?

Easier just to stay away from metallic paints.

08-06-2002	#1 (permalink)
mellow Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 20	spray painting a parabolic antenna I have some flat black paint i would like to spray a white 24db parabolic antenna with to minimize it standing out... anyone know if the paint would throw off the antenna's power?

08-06-2002	#2 (permalink)
Thorn Did you do the math? Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Villa Straylight Posts: 10,361	It shouldn't have any effect, as long as the paint is non-metallic. __________________ Thorn "Read Altas Shrugged. Compare it to today. Repeat as necessary"

08-06-2002	#4 (permalink)
mshimek Chile-Head Stumbler Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Wi-Fi Wonderland Posts: 57	Radome Loss Plastic/Fiberglass radome loss is around .5 DB. Wet/wet snow soaked Flag radome loss a lot!

08-06-2002	#5 (permalink)
Thorn Did you do the math? Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Villa Straylight Posts: 10,361	No. As long as it is "radio transparent" which basicly means no metal. If your worried you could try wrapping it in the fabric before sewing, and see if there's drop in signal. As long as there are no metallic threads, it shouldn't be a problem. __________________ Thorn "Read Altas Shrugged. Compare it to today. Repeat as necessary"

08-06-2002	#8 (permalink)
lincomatic Squaaawk! WiFi! WiFi! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Tinsel Town Posts: 1,682	i can see a metallic radome causing problems, but why should metallic paint cause loss? seems to me it's just like plating the dish w/ a thin layer of metal. shouldn't alter the characteristics much should it? __________________ ~lincomatic

08-06-2002	#9 (permalink)
gforce Registered Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Chicago NW Suburbs Posts: 8	I have a Hyperlink Technologies white Yagi antenna that I painted black so that it wouldn't stand out so much with some cheap flat black spray paint. As one would suspect, from my measurements, it didn't affect the gain of the antenna at all. Of course now the thing looks like some sort of pipe bomb...

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode