[IRCA] I Cut the Ferrite Successfully!

["John H. Bryant" <bjohnorcas@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I finally got time to try cutting a small ferrite bar on my 
diamond-bladed tile saw.  I'd been cautioned to use plenty of water 
so as not to damage the annealing. I did.  It cut VERY easily and 
cleanly. I could tell no rise in temperature by touch, immediately 
after making the cut. It worked like a charm.  Thanks to everyone who 
made suggestions last week.

Someone asked why would you want to cut a ferrite bar??? Well, one 
reason might be if you were making a large bundled bar antenna where 
the final bundle is several bars in cross section (usually 3 or 7) 
and several bars long.  One way to help the lines of magnetism not 
see the end (butt) joints between individual bars is to stagger the 
ends at least one bar diameter... two is probably better. If you 
stagger the ends of the individual bars, you end up with a ragged end 
at the front and back of the bundle.... so, you might want to cut 
things off flush, for magnetic as well as aesthetic reasons.

Another reason...mine in this case... is jamming a large high-grade 
IF filter in a little bitty radio... the E100. Since I intend to DX 
with either a larger ferrite bar or with a normal outside antenna, 
the stock bar is only needed as the core of an inductive coil 
arrangement for the outside antenna. It could also be used to pick up 
local stations when no outside antenna is attached. Neither of those 
functions require the size bar that comes in the E100 and I 
desperately need the space for the IF filter, so, I just cut an inch 
off'n mine and I'm happy as a clam.  Cutting the 3.3 inch bar to 2.3 
inches did not change the inductance of the coil much, so sliding the 
bar a little farther to the center corrects the alignment. Losing 1/3 
of the bar length should reduce sensitivity and nulling capability 
somewhat, but in this application, that is plenty OK.

If you've read this far and don't own a tile saw, you'll be happy to 
know that Lowe's stores have them to cut customers tile and I'll bet 
that Home Depot does, too. Likely catching the staff at a quiet time 
and crossing their palm with a bit of silver could get your bar cut 
very nicely.

Thanks again for the suggestions!


John B.
Orcas Island, WA, USA
Rcvrs: WiNRADiO 313e, Eton e1, Ultralights
Antennas: Two 70' x 100' Conti Super Loops, West and Northwest
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