On Feb 9, 7:18*am, bob1234 wrote:
...here are your wierd questions of the week that are the result of
several bored people talking about building airplanes:

Can a thin foil tape be fastened to the front of a wooden spar to act
as a VHF antenna? *The antenna would be encapsulated in several layers
of epoxy or spar varnish and would not be penetrated by rib nails
(wood ribs) or compression member bolts. *The leading edge would be
composed of wood ply.

Yes, in fact Jim Weir taught Bellanca how to do this on Vikings years
ago. You need a some RF baluns, but the composite antenna kit from
RST engineering has everything you need. You can do VOR antennas too.

Can a steel wingtip bow in a rag and wood wing also be used as an
antenna?

Probably not very well. It's oriented the wrong way, and tuning it
would be a PITA, if it's possible at all.

Thanks,

Bob1234