Best of the ISP-Lists

It's Better Being Green

One ISP tells the members of the ISP-Wireless list why green antennas are better than plain. However, if you paint-your-own, please do not use paint that has lead in it—that wouldn't be green at all.

[April 4, 2001]

On the ISP-Wireless list in March, LS inquired,

"I would like to paint my antennas. They will be mounted in trees, so a forest green color would be ideal. Is that okay to do? Will it decrease the performance of the antenna?"

A number of respondents suggested that it should be fine:

[TJ recalled] "We have painted several of our antennas. Works great. Just make sure the paint does not have any lead in it."

[RB agreed] "Yup. Paint away, and experiment around with different types. Obviously, non-metallic paint is required. Sherwin-Williams' Polane epoxy paint is about the toughest stuff I've ever seen, but it's not the simplest to work with. A spray can of good ol' Krylon would probably be my first try."

[JS added] "Yes, you can paint the antennas and it will not affect the performance. But try to avoid black color: that will absorb the antenna gain a bit."

EK offered more specific instructions:

"Remove any surface contamination using an alcohol solvent. Apply one primer coat of Polane 2.8 Plus Fil Primer as per the manufacturer. Then apply a top coat of Polane HS Plus Polyurethane Enamel or Polane T Polyurethane Enamel as per the manufacturer's instructions. You should be able to find this at any commercial paint distributor (in some cases, auto body supply stores can order it). You will be set for about 7 years without repainting."

Others ran with the idea:

[CR enthused] "Boy, this makes me want to colocate a three foot dish with a yellow smiley face on it!"

[TJ responded] "Actually, we put our company logo and phone number on one of our three foot dishes. Looked pretty cool!"

—End

     

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