Cassette tape streamer question

[mwhitman]

I used a length of cassette tape attached to the end of my transmitter antenna as a wind indicator yesterday and it worked beautifully. Do the magnetic qualities of the cassette tape have any affect on the transmitter's RF operation? If so, what are some other readily available materials that can be used? Would it suffice to simply insulate the connection point between the antenna and the cassette tape?

[Hawksnest]

I used a length of cassette tape attached to the end of my transmitter antenna as a wind indicator yesterday and it worked beautifully. Do the magnetic qualities of the cassette tape have any affect on the transmitter's RF operation? If so, what are some other readily available materials that can be used? Would it suffice to simply insulate the connection point between the antenna and the cassette tape?

I've been using it for years with no problem. Won't hurt a thing. Bill G.

[John Gallagher]

I use a strip of a plastic grocery bag.

[SoCalGliderFlyr]

Bright orange surveying tape. Could use the leader material for audio tapes. 1/2" used to come in many colors.

[dephela]

I like a bit of colored, lightweight yarn.

[kwmtrubrit]

I also use the bright orange survey tape. I have a piece about 2ft long. Then I have a telescopic fishing pole (I think 12ft) with some of the same tape on the end. That piece is 4-5ft long, but it is also split down the middle. This gives you two very sensitive indicators for light breeze or thermal activity. I have a rod rest pole (only the brits will understand what that is) that I hammer in the ground and attach the telescopic rod to it using two velcro straps. I piece of steel rod about three feet long will work too.

[SoCalGliderFlyr]

Used to take apart large capacitors for the very thin mylar wrappings. Thin as frog hair. Would react to the slightest change in very calm air. The air would fill with freeflights when you saw one of these streamers standing on end.

[kwmtrubrit]

I'd use the hair on my head, if I had any!

[Urbanarmitage]

Due to the magnetic properties of the tape you are using there will be a certain amount of RF interaction between the tape and the antenna. I would suggest doing a comprehensive range check on the radio with the tape in place. If it passes the range check you should be fine.

The thing to remember is that electrical continuity and RF 'continuity' are not one and the same. A good example is a multi-element TV antenna. The director elements are not electrically connected to the driven/active element (the element the coax connects to), and yet they considerably influence how well the antenna receives signals.

If you are interested or curious, take a look at some of the HAM/Shortwave Listeners web sites out there. There are some non-rocket-science explanations of basic RF theory around that would explain this a lot more than I have.

Good starting points would be http://www.hard-core-dx.com/nordicdx/antenna/ and http://www.cebik.com

Wayne