View Full Version : New Aerial required
2I0JVI
01-14-2007, 02:31 PM
Hey guys
We had severe storms these last few days. #Consequently my HF dipole was broken into about 4 pieces with no hope of a repair job. #Can anyone recommend a decent multiband aerial of any sort that is capable of working on 80-12m?
73 Jonathan
VA3SAX
01-14-2007, 06:34 PM
you might want to move this post to the questions and answers section...'tis more geared for that. but G5RV or a doublet fed with ladder line will do it for you
M0MJH
01-17-2007, 12:36 PM
264ft doublet, Jonathan? http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
m0pcb
01-18-2007, 10:57 PM
Quote[/b] (M0MJH @ Jan. 17 2007,12:36)]264ft doublet, Jonathan? http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
You may jest Mark, but I know someone who has one! Suffice to say he was always a huge signal on 40M ;-)
As to Jonathon, well, I think really we need a bit more information on your plot. There are endless amounts of designs, each with relative merits.
I spent the first few years operating with indoor antennas, so my attic was like a rat's nest! I managed to work DXCC with some perseverence.
I would be tempted to auggest not a G5RV, I don't mean to contradict advice further up the thread but in about the same space as a G5RV takes you can do better! :-)
73, Iain
M0PCB/AD5XI
VA3SAX
01-19-2007, 01:39 AM
I only said it as something he could do...personally I'd more recommend the doublet...we used a G5RV in field day and it got out very well...even to germany...the guy was working some other contest I think. My portable setup this year is going to include a norcal doublet...you can get the plans for that on the norcal qrp site it's basically a 44 foot dipole for 40-10m
pe2ysb
01-19-2007, 08:17 AM
I found a dutch website about a small HF antenna, there isn't an engisch version so i'll translate it a bit.
The website: http://www.pe5jw.nl/?Antenn....antenne (http://www.pe5jw.nl/?Antennes:HF_probeersels:HF_telescoop_vakantie_ant enne)
what it says:
<table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td>Code Sample </td></tr><tr><td id="CODE">This antenna is made to use on vacation, i tested it at home. The SWR isn't super but with an ATU its good.
I used some waterpipes (PVC), an old 5m long telescopic aerial (probably old army aerial) and a T200 as a 1:9 Balun. It works on 10 - 40m. I wouldn't use it on 80m and 6m. [/QUOTE]
Maybe this is usefull http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
M0MJH
01-19-2007, 10:28 AM
Urm... Iain, I have a 240ft aerial in the boot of my car, I just don't have the room to put it up http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif I'd put out a kick ass signal if I could! It's the club's top band contest aerial, get's RF in it once a year!
73
MARK
M0MJH/2E1MJH/M3MJH
M0MJH
01-19-2007, 10:31 AM
Quick question Iain, how much space was there in your attic? I've looked at the pictures and there seems to be a hell of a lot more space than in my attic! Distance between floor and roof?
m0pcb
01-19-2007, 05:40 PM
Quote[/b] (M0MJH @ Jan. 19 2007,10:31)]Quick question Iain, how much space was there in your attic? I've looked at the pictures and there seems to be a hell of a lot more space than in my attic! Distance between floor and roof?
Errrr, let me think. Been moved house for 3 and a bit years. To the apex of the roof must've been about 15' (I couldn't reach it stood on tip-toes). Was about 8' wide (width of a cobwebb) and aout 15' long.
And to think I had 8 antennas with coax attached connected to various radios, plus the other bits and bobs of antenna hardware laid around. Was a fun place to be!
m0pcb
01-19-2007, 05:45 PM
Quote[/b] (VA3SAX @ Jan. 19 2007,01:39)]I only said it as something he could do...personally I'd more recommend the doublet...we used a G5RV in field day and it got out very well...even to germany...the guy was working some other contest I think. My portable setup this year is going to include a norcal doublet...you can get the plans for that on the norcal qrp site it's basically a 44 foot dipole for 40-10m
Of course. I mean don't get me wrong, I currently have a half size G5RV up at the home QTH along with the G3TPW CobWebb because it's the only thing I had to fit in the space I had available.
If I'd had materials to chuck something else up I would ahve been tempted.
At my /P QTH I have a 20M top doublet, which is good for 40M and up over. Built it in a matter of minutes, but of course requires an ATU. I would reccommend a doublet, and also have a small multiband vertical from a UK company called Sandpiper Aerials, which is also amazing for it's size!
The fun is tryig things out I think, I still have a few antennas that I need to test out at some point, mainly for 20-10M though.
I hvae heard that something in the region of 84' is a good doublet length. One of my portable antennas is now an 84' doublet fed with that thin two-core speaker cable (the grey stuff), though I've not tried it out yet I expect it'll work ok.
M0MJH
01-29-2007, 11:00 AM
Jonathan,
Did you make any decision on what aerial you are going for?
W8LBO
01-31-2007, 05:25 PM
There was this multi-band trap diople in the ARRL Antenna Book that I almost made. I think it was 80, 40, 20, 15, and 10. They showed how to make pretty much everything including the traps.
2I0JVI
02-05-2007, 05:12 PM
I have temporarily repaired my dipole until I get a chance to start looking...surprisingly the SWR isn't as bad as it used to be
73 Jonathan
ve6wtf
02-05-2007, 11:00 PM
you know there is a little thing called wire cutters hi hi hi
I need to go out and start trimming as well...
SWR is about 1:9 right now...
so I figure I need to take about 10 inches off
m0pcb
02-14-2007, 10:58 AM
Quote[/b] (ve6wtf @ Feb. 05 2007,23:00)]you know there is a little thing called wire cutters hi hi hi
I need to go out and start trimming as well...
SWR is about 1:9 right now...
so I figure I need to take about 10 inches off
Not great for adding wire though ;-) ;-)
Sorry, just had to say it. Guess you're resonating a bit low then?
An idea before snipping away is to fold the wire back on itself at the end insulators, this way you can get the length right first then trim off the extra. :-)
W8LBO
02-15-2007, 02:00 AM
Yep, that works really well.
Quote[/b] (ve6wtf @ Feb. 05 2007,16:00)]you know there is a little thing called wire cutters hi hi hi
I need to go out and start trimming as well...
SWR is about 1:9 right now...
so I figure I need to take about 10 inches off
An old quote that I picked up from my Uncle who picked it up from his dad.
"The best antenna tuner has blue handles"
Have a good one!
ve6wtf
02-15-2007, 04:30 AM
I have a pair with black handles...
so your saying is obsolete http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
Yeah got er tuned up
Now I need to tune the 40m dipole
but I am getting good signal reports as is with an SWR of 2.3 at 7.150
so.... I think I would do better if I tuned
Got a tuner on the way, should be here any day!
got a contact on 17m today kinda cool!
Never gone that low.
But I plan to get on ten meters and greet the no coders on the 28th!