Experimental Ideas

[Nodnarb]

How possible is it to turn the whole aluminum shell into a radio antenna?

[Nodnarb]

Also, any rain harvesting ideas? One could also run a dehumidifier inside that drains into the fresh water tank.

[Nodnarb]

Air purification ideas for places with low air quality or just like fresh air while inside.

[richard5933]

Originally Posted by Nodnarb

How possible is it to turn the whole aluminum shell into a radio antenna?

It would make a far better ground plane than an antenna.

[Genebuilder]

Not to mention Faraday Cage

[Fungus]

Originally Posted by Nodnarb

Air purification ideas for places with low air quality or just like fresh air while inside.

This air purifier hangs where the bedroom television used to hang in our 25FB. I fashioned a backing board and reused the wall bolt holes that supported the television. Then attached the purifier bracket to the backing board. Works great. And out of the way. We travel with it stowed in a Blackstone bag and wedged between the bed and the front wall, but I’m considering permanently mounting it.

[Nodnarb]

Originally Posted by Fungus

This air purifier hangs where the bedroom television used to hang in our 25FB. I fashioned a backing board and reused the wall bolt holes that supported the television. Then attached the purifier bracket to the backing board. Works great. And out of the way. We travel with it stowed in a Blackstone bag and wedged between the bed and the front wall, but I’m considering permanently mounting it.

Nice

[DonRich7878]

Originally Posted by Nodnarb

How possible is it to turn the whole aluminum shell into a radio antenna?

NASA defines a Radio Antenna as a metallic structure that captures and/or transmits radio electromagnetic waves. So, technically an aluminum Airstream is already a radio antenna, which can be easily verified using a spectrum analyzer. The question then becomes, "Do I have enough money to modify the Airstream aluminum skin to operate efficiently as a working antenna at a given frequency?" Leading me to the next question, Does the Airstream need to retain full usability as camping equipment?

[foobar]

Originally Posted by DonRich7878

NASA defines a Radio Antenna as a metallic structure that captures and/or transmits radio electromagnetic waves. So, technically an aluminum Airstream is already a radio antenna, which can be easily verified using a spectrum analyzer. The question then becomes, "Do I have enough money to modify the Airstream aluminum skin to operate efficiently as a working antenna at a given frequency?" Leading me to the next question, Does the Airstream need to retain full usability as camping equipment?

I believe the Airstream shell is grounded, though it's realistically not physically grounded to the earth because the trailer tires are not electrically conductive.

Anyway, it would not make a great radiator due to it's physical size. I have no idea what wavelengths if any would be able to propagate on the surface of the shell.

[DonRich7878]

Originally Posted by Nodnarb

Also, any rain harvesting ideas? One could also run a dehumidifier inside that drains into the fresh water tank.

I see some serious boondocking adventures in your future.

Rain water harvesting can be performed through the use of large plastic sheets laid out tight and draining to the center. During the days with no rain, the same configuration will collect moisture evaporating from the ground.

[DonRich7878]

Originally Posted by foobar

I believe the Airstream shell is grounded, though it's realistically not physically grounded to the earth because the trailer tires are not electrically conductive.

Anyway, it would not make a great radiator due to it's physical size. I have no idea what wavelengths if any would be able to propagate on the surface of the shell.

wavelength = velocity / frequency

[Nodnarb]

Originally Posted by DonRich7878

I see some serious boondocking adventures in your future.



Rain water harvesting can be performed through the use of large plastic sheets laid out tight and draining to the center. During the days with no rain, the same configuration will collect moisture evaporating from the ground.

I was thinking more of ways to passively collect it. Those methods work too aside from general preparation involved.