This is all very interesting!
I was at Lowes yesterday, and found a roll of copper roof flashing. 3oz stuff. I was thinking that I could maybe make a loop out of PVC or even spa-flex, and wrap it up with a continuous piece of the flashing. The stuff isn't cheap at around $30 for a 10"X20' roll, but it's a heck of a lot more affordable than copper pipe around here. A 10' section of 1.5" copper pipe was over $100...
This guy in the UK makes a 1/4 wave wire loop and feeds it with a transformer, He even patented it. I may mount something like this on my trailer for a camping antenna:
http://www.g0cwt.co.uk/magloops/new_page_6.htmhaven't tried it yet myself, but it's on my todo list
Dave, KF7JAF