Thanks for posting your questions.

After carefully priming the antenna as described above, I applied two coats of generic flat black paint purchased from Home Depot.

Details of the antenna raising are available in this post…

43 Foot Antenna – The Rising

So far the antenna is holding up very well against the weather here in Virginia. There are no signs of paint flake, peel or other issues.

As far as I can tell the antenna performs fine with no perceptible issues caused by the paint. Note my 43 foot antenna is just one big conductor with no traps or anything else. I say this because some paints have conductivity and spraying this across some electrical boundary might cause problems.

My research into Zinc Chromate suggests it does not conduct. However, I was never quite sure. Also black paints typically have carbon in their makeup which might cause them to conduct at DC and/or RF frequencies.

The good news for me and you is our radiating element is just one big conductor mounted on a standoff at the base and should not be perturbed if the paint does conduct. The aluminum will still be the dominant 43 foot conductor and should work just fine. If anyone thinks otherwise I am eager to discuss.

I participate in QRP Fox Hunts on 80 and 40 plus various QSO Parties including the California Party on 80-15 meters with just this antenna. I still wish I had a beam for 20-10, but cannot complain about how this antenna works; It just works.

My primed and painted 43 foot antenna is a keeper.

I wish you the best of luck with yours.

Thanks,

Melvin, AB5EQ