Copper Pipe 1/4 Wave 11m CB Radio Antenna Giant Sequoia Nation
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- Опубліковано 24 кві 2024
- Homemade 11meter CB radio Antenna Using 3/4" Copper Pipe for Mobile/portable use.
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Giant Sequoia Nation
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Glad your building! We made 11 meter antennas in the 70s but 1/2 inch schedule 40. Then used a reducer on one end inserted 3/8 24 nut used on trucker antenna mounts soldering it in reducer. 3/8 24 stud made it work with 3/8 24 antenna mounts. Same reducer on opposite end and used appropriate copper tubing to adjust for SWR. Boy did those things talk!!
Thanks man! That sounds awesome. Yeah, another user also recommended putting a cross at the top. I'm assuming like a capacitance hat. I'm going to do a comparison video of this one vs my 102" Whip soon as well. But I will continue to build on this one for sure...
The length difference is due to the diameter of the copper pipe verses the diameter of the SS whip. I would have soldered all the joints.
Interesting. So if the copper pipe was, say a foot wide, it could be like a foot tall? Never thought of that! Crazy. Thank you. Yeah I'd probably soldered the coupler to one radiator and the bottom cap but I was on the clock. Newborn at home. Maybe on my next video I'll do that with some other modifications... thanks and 73!
@@GiantSequoiaNation I don't think it works quite like that. The main effect is that the larger diameter gives you more tuning bandwidth.
@@LungsMcGee copy that
@@LungsMcGee Correct, more tuning bandwidth.
The width of the radiating element lowers the antenna Q-factor which does increase the the bandwidth. A really cool antenna that takes this to the extreme is a bicone antenna. Military uses these quite a bit. But just like anything with RF there is no free lunch and at a certain point you get diminishing returns. Usually the return loss starts to get funky and weird radiation patterns.
Fantastic job
Thanks brother! Always having fun out here!
Great build! Love your rig mate👍👍
I appreciate you brother! Thank you!
Nice job on the antenna!
One suggestion i would say, is for the center coupling, change to a threaded couplers male and female, and solder each on to each section of pipe. This way you can thread/unthread them and solder each for a better electrical connection.
Good luck, and again, nice work!
0576, Dustmaker, Southern Michigan.
Thanks a lot! I didn't even know they had a threaded option for copper pipe. But I love the idea. Thanks for the idea, my man! Maybe that will be my follow-up video.
Waving back from NW, GA.
This is 404/Roadblock.
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I’ll finish arching throughout the day as time allows. Love it man !
I’ve always thought about this too ! You beat me to it
Thanks dude! Hah. You should do it anyway. There's plenty of room in here for a bunch of the same stuff. You know I'll support your videos for sure. Honestly. We should keep innovating off each other. Make one and add something like welding or soldering to it. It will be better than mine! Ha
@@GiantSequoiaNation
Turned out great man !
Nice build . I’ll shoot you a txt later 👍
Great editing ❤
Thanks my love!
I love the technique. It can be easily used to build a portable yagi antenna too. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks a lot man! Yeah, after I tried this I may utilize it for some other antenna types and frequencies. Also I have a DIY aluminum one I may try next. 73!
Yagi antennas take a bit more math and thought in design to fabricate. 11 meter yagi would not be very portable though and is why most Yagi's that are portable are in the VHF Hi band and higher. Not saying it cannot be done, just it may be cumbersome and not as portable as you'd think.
This reminds me of the 10 meter band dipole that I made out of 1/2" copper pipe when I first got my ham license. I couldn't get the SWR below 3:1 and I had 16 feet of copper u-bolted to a piece of 1'x4' plywood up in the air over my garage. My wife made me take it down before I could tune it because she thought it was ugly. Nice work making something of your own design and succeeding where I failed!
Thanks a ton man! It's never too late to give it another try! I would feel honored if I motivated you to make something similar to what I made or even improve upon it. I utilize UA-cam a lot of times to get ideas. If you ever do, send my way! Just maybe hide it better this time from the misses this time. Ha. But yes mine tuned right at 4:1 right away at the high end or the band and then I just started cutting and re-evaluating until I got it.
Nice job
Thanks brother! That Nano VNA made this a breeze.
Sweeeet !
Thanks brother!
Explained well
Thanks, homie! If a schmuck like me can do it, so can you!
Nice build, congrats, it works great. But to judge from the readings of the Nano VNA, your antenna is actually a little bit too short, because the best resonant points are in the 10m Ham- band.
Thank you for your suggestion. I talk on ch 33 which is where I kept the lowest SWR. It sacrifices the lower channels unfortunately bc of the high Q. Another listener suggested a type of capacitance hat, which would widen the Q and bring down the SWRs in the lower channels. Idk we will see. Thanks again for watching and giving me feedback!
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That is a great idea 💡, thanks for that,I wonder what 15mm copper pipe would be better for receiving, anyway it works and I would loved to see you on top of a hill to really see how far you get out, thanks again Alan from ENGLAND. CT 48/70. 73S AND TAKE CARE 💯😱💡👍👍
Thanks, Alan! I just went for one of the biggest pipes for ease of drilling and tightening a nut and bolt with a socket. It would be interesting to see if they were a "best" diameter for transmission or reception. You did just give me an idea for another video! I'm going to the local Kennesaw mountain and doing a transmit/receive comparison with my 102" SS whip and this copper pipe back to my base station at home!
Roadblock/KD2MOT waving at you from the States. I appreciate the comment.
73!
Glad to be of assistance looking forward to seeing what happens when you do that. Hopefully one day when the skip is right we can get a copy, take care of yourself and yours.all the best Alan CT 48/70 JUST OVER THE POND 🍻🤔👍👍
@alanslade2319 Will do! That would be a great contact. Depending on when the conditions are right I'll have to let you know when I'm conducting the test and we can hope for the best and maybe a contact. I'm still not on SSB yet but the regular 40channels will have to do for now. Pond jumping!
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nice job
Thanks!
NanoVNA, you can turn the scale on, it's in the menu, and shows a grid which means you don't need to scroll through to see all positions.
Thanks forvtge tip. It was literally my first time using this thing. I really like it and theres obviously a bunch of options I need to learn. Many more videos to come so I will be using it many more times in the near future.
73!
@@GiantSequoiaNation Excellent :-) Hope you like it. Look forward to more videos
I calibrated with two extensions coax and then tested 40/30/20/10/0 dB attenuators and it came back with almost spot-on results - 40.31/29.4/19.63/9.92/0.07 dB.
If there's one thing I've learnt, it's when you calibrate it and save the calibration, that calibration is for the EXACT scenario (frequency range, cables used, etc.). So if you calibrate it with an extension, you need to use the same extension every time.
such a smart dude.
I just don't look or act like it! Hah.
@@GiantSequoiaNation
Interesting I got a long piece of copper pipe in the garage. I have actually wondered if I could make a antenna out of it. Now I know. 73's from the Guitarman Northeast Georgia!
Thanks a lot Justin! It was always a thought of mine and I kept thinking of the simplest way to mount it... then let my imagination run. This is what I came up with. You should try it and make a video man. I bet you could make it better than me. I'm just a schmuck. Ha.
Roadblock/KD2MOT waving back from NW, GA!
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Leave that antenna outside in an easily accessible area and you will have copper scrappers stealing it. Paint it with epoxy paint black or a sky blue grey to make it less of a target for thieves.
That's actually a really good idea. Fortunately, it's staying in the back of the vehicle. It's definitely not a permanent solution, by any means. Only for l testing and mountain tops. 102" with the hinge mount hinged back about 20% is my permanent setup.
73
Nice project, pedantically the SWR dip is not the resonant point, if you look at the reactance plot with the VNA you will see it. A vertical fed against a groundplane should have an impedance of about 35 ohms at resonance (an SWR of about 1.5). In your case with the feedpoint being on one of the roof bars the reactance there will usually require a shorter whip. If you were to make the same whip but put it on a hole mount directly through the vehicle roof the whip would likely be a bit longer for minimum SWR. The fatter conductor should give you slightly better bandwidth than a typical stainless steel whip. Looks like the input circuitry of the amp needs attention, should be a better match than that. Enjoy your hobby.
Many thanks. I have much to learn.
Like it already
Thanks brother! Plus I got that NANO VNA out. Love that thing!
The 1.8 swr is between the radio and amp. I would recommend a half wave jumper for the velocity of the coax.
Yeah man. What I did was put a 1ft jumper as a test and the SWR was perfect but with the current mount I can't keep it that close... so was talking to my boy Dallas and he also mentioned wd the 1/2 wave jumper. So I'm going to run some coax tests with that Nano VNA and make a follow-up video with that and many other mods... thank you and 73!
Great job, that is some interesting stuff. Do you think you could get better results if you solder or silver solder all the connecting joints?
Thanks, man! I don't think it would make any difference in signal or resonance, but perhaps it would increase longevity. It's been recommended multiple times in the comments. All the connections are very right to begin with, plus J-B Weld has steel inside it for conductivity. Plus, I was trying to make it a project anyone could do. Now thats out of the way, I will likely solder them in a later video anyway as another option. Lol. So yes, and thank you for the comment and subscribe. I did the same for your channel and Overlanding workout! I swear I was going to do something similar when I was hammock camping. Hammock-related workouts. Lol. Waving at you from NW GA!
404/Roadblock/KD2MOT
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Good video. Antenna looks and works great. If you couldn't or did not want to solder the connections some good conductive anti seize would help the joints over time resist corrosion and get long lasting conductivity. Just another idea I just watched a HAM add a small telescopic antenna to the top of a HAM stick to make it easier to tune this might be a good idea for this one in stead of the bolt on top. I need a CB antenna for home I think I will make one like this. Thanks Jim KI7SSO
Thanks man. That is a good idea. I'm debating soldering it as well but the JB weld has steel embedded into it so it's def doing well with conductivity. I did see that copper antisieze as well. Never thought of a telescoping whip... maybe it could tune up to 12, 15, 17 or 20m... Great idea! Ans if you do make one, you should make a video and post it too. Send it my way, I'd love to see it!
Roadblock/KD2MOT waving at you from NW, GA
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@@GiantSequoiaNation You are welcome I'm not much of a Video guy
@@GiantSequoiaNation Went and found the video for the telescoping antenna ua-cam.com/video/BAv2suGhUnE/v-deo.htmlsi=qLmfS-kWym-FKBai. Jim KI7SSO from Port Orchard WA
Awesome. Thanks for finding that. Illnwatch it and report back!
The Macgyver antenna
well done
do the ferrite beads make a difference positioned at the base of the antenna ?
Hah thanks. I know I can already improve upon the antenna but I like to record the journey. The 7 ferrite beads is the recommended amount to stay off common mode current at the base of the antenna. But I've also heard 7 at the radio side as well, which makes sense. I'd be lying if I told youbit was a magic bullet or it made a huge difference. If it made a difference for me it was negligible. I figure why not...
Hay whats up .
I used to live up there in dallas.
Any way since you are already half way why not make that a half wave or even really trick it out go for the 5/8 wave .
Since it has to be for parked only situations.
Copper bottom and the 102 top .
You already have what you need.
Heck .
I have the stuff too i may try it myself.
My 955 into my 2x8 at the park 1/2 wave would be a blast.
That's a good point! That will be my next video! Thanks for the idea!
73
That's true. I do have everything I need. Seriously. Now I'm thinking about it! Also, that's nuts! I lived in Dallas till a couple years ago and moved here. What made you move?
go and chase those lightning bolts😂 after that he will have a bumper car
Nice set up but you should never use the built in swr for testing
Thanks. I used the Nano VNA for testing. I always check the built in to see if it's calibrated with the Nano VNA. But, yes, the radio is 15 years old and the meter acts like it's 20 years old. Lol.
199 florida georgia line.
The antenna will become more efficient if you add a cross at the tip of the antenna, with each arm having a width of about 12 inches. This modification will also increase the bandwidth. The reason is that the current max of the antenna is drawn higher, and the higher the current max, the more energy is radiated due to ground losses. These losses are particularly high when an antenna is set up at a height less than half a wavelength. Naturally, the length of the radiator must be shortened.
Thanks for the comment. If that's true, and it shows on the nano VNA, I will absolutely put your name up on the screen and mention you by name for the suggestion/recommendation! Now I'm off to Home Depot looking for parts. Ha!
Actual 1/4 wave length in feet is 8.6 feet.
Copy that.
U could have upgraded your whip for far less than using pipe.. stainless steel locator wire that goes on top of cable wire. 103.5 inches ..strip ends and wrap 102 inch whip at base with a right hand twist.
I wasn't concerned with the cost. This was an experiment with copper. And I was very pleased with the result. In fact, I'm going to do a comparison test from between a local mountain and my house with both the copper pipe and my 102 SS whip. But that's not to say your idea isn't intriguing. Could you go into more detail or even make a video aboutbit and send to me?
Thanks
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Might wasnt to solder on the bottom cap and a set of male and female threaded fittings in place of the coupling because copper will corrode and cause poor connections
Thank you for the suggestion. I think I may solder but I haven't found any copper thread fittings. Also it's not a permanent antenna by any means, hence leaving the middle open.
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So why is your antenna light blinking?
Bc the radio I like 18 years old and it's a bit finicky. I've used a president walker 2 with this antenna and Coax setup and the SWR was the same obviously. That light is an SWR warning light. That's why I've been testing with a Nano VNA after many user suggestions. The radio just isn't that accurate anymore.
@@GiantSequoiaNation Thank you for that. My Cobra 29 was doing the same thing so I decided to buy the President George FCC. Now you got me interested in the DIY Antenna.
@Tom-xp7dl Anytime brother. Listen I never thought I would be either but the user's are already giving me suggestions for my build too. I'm going to put a copper capacitance hat to flatten the SWR plot/curve. Yeah, the old Cobra 29 has been very food to me but I have looked at the President George FCC and the soon to be released 10, "11" and 12m President Washington with 80 watts! But thats gonna be really expensive. How dobyou like the George so far?? And if you do build an antenna, make a video and post it. Send it my way. I think we need more of us on here to grow the community!
Make it cheaper. Use schedule 40 PVC a little longer than needed the use speaker wire for your radiating element and ground plane..
I wasn't actually going for an Ed Fong-ish... but I bet that would hold up better on the roof. It was just an experiment. I always wanted to try a copper pipe like my KB9VBR GMRS J-pole. I'm still thinking about tap and die'ing a copper ground rod and slapping it up there to tune, but it's not all copper. So idk. But yeah, this isn't a permanent solution. All for experimenting. Thanks for the suggestion, though.
73!
@@GiantSequoiaNation with the j-pole that you are familiar with, (re KB9VBR) you can eliminate the ground plane and Sch 40 will hold up for quite a while . Enjoy your build. alive got a 2 meter j-pole of S 40 and it works well. So, an j-pole for 11 meters will give you satisfaction.
now build a copper 5/8 wave ground plaine base antenna lol
You think I wont?! Lol. I just need like $3500 and it's no problem. Lol
@@GiantSequoiaNation u can use copper water pipes or to save cost use a peace of conduit as the main antenna 22.5 feet i think then the copper as the 3 legs of the ground plain . that way it will cost less then 100$. You could even cheat get a can of copper spray paint so it looks legit lol
That's true. Would be a cool project. I'm taking down my A99 with a ground plane kit in a week or so bc I'm putting a gazebo up withered it needs to be tilted down to... i.e. new freestanding tower project coming soon for the yard... I would tobfigure out the matching at the base though...
I would have used conduit instead of copper. There will be no noticeable difference in signal strength, but a big difference in your wallet.
I'm sure, but for the sake of experimenting, I wanted to see copper specifically bc of its velocity factor being so high up there on the scale. I will do a future video comparing that to my other 102" Whip. Thanks for the comment!
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Increase bandwith stable higher current standing. Improve Q easy 5kw rated
There's always a know it all 🙄
Because Nano VNA you can throw away, I threw mine against the wall, just measured rubbish, got a Rig Expert from a colleague, built the same thing again and lo and behold, I had to shorten it by 2cm and that was it and yes, not everything from China is good even if it looks good!
I was eyeballing them for sure. Was waiting to save up an additional $400... one day brother.
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@@GiantSequoiaNation ok no problem the Rig Expert 35 is enough total costs from Slovenia 249€ 😉Original with guarantee
@VOLKZZORN that stick pro in US $450. What's shipping from Slovenia? Lol