At 06:05 AM 12/31/2005, kd4e wrote:
>Mike:
>
> Someone didn't read closely and wrote assuming you
>were using mercury vs Galinstan.
here's a bunch of safety and handling information for Galinstan:
http://www.osti.gov/energycitations/servlets/purl/811932-smXmM0/native/811932.pdf
> 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?
Per the above document, nope..
>3. What is the cost of Galinstan in the quantities necessary
>to build a HF antenna?
Probably high. Gallium isn't cheap, nor is indium. But not excessively high.
The thermometers contain 0.01g of galinstan. RG sells it for $1/gram, but
the DoE report says that someone in California will make the stuff for
$0.25/gram (in 2002)
>4. Does the Galinstan attack the gasket material?
Probably depends on the material. Seems not to have problems with
plastics, but attacks metals. (aluminum and copper, for instance)
> I have taken the liberty of copying this thread to the
>towertalk@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
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