Tape Measure Yagi-Uda Antenna 2m/70cm DIY: A inexpensive easy alternative to the usual build.
Вставка
- Опубліковано 15 жов 2024
- Patreon: / hamradiorookie
Videos mentioned:
BNC adapter • Easy Magnetic BNC Conn...
Duck Tape antenna: • How to make a 2 meter ...
Discover the ultimate ultra-portable 2M Yagi antenna designed for SOTA and versatile field use. In this episode I unveil my innovative DIY antenna build using simple materials like foil tape and a tarp, all that can fit perfectly in a cargo pocket. Despite its lightweight and compact design, this Yagi amazed me by reaching up to possibly 150 kilometers during field tests around Calgary. Join me as I share the step-by-step build process, 3D printing files, and real-time testing results with local repeaters and beyond. Whether you're a ham radio enthusiast or an outdoor adventurer, this pocket-sized Yagi is a game-changer for on-the-go communications. Don't miss out on future iterations and other exciting radio projects by hitting Subscribe. For more details, 3D print files, and links to the materials used, check below. 73, this is VE6SFX, clear and signing off. #HamRadio #DIYAntenna #UltraPortableYagi #VE6CRFX #SOTA"
Supplies
1” Copper Foil tape: amzn.to/46SAov3
1/4” Copper Foil tape: amzn.to/40jAbyO
Fiberglass Tape: amzn.to/3tVjqOn
Tarp: amzn.to/3QHmVRp
Fiberglass rods: amzn.to/46LCddn
HT I recommend: amzn.to/3u3rA73
3d Printer I recommend: amzn.to/3Qk3HQj
Filament used in this: amzn.to/3QknFKS
John Portunes book on slot antennas: amzn.to/3tPoaEY
OK, it works, I'd give this antenna the award for the least likely to be sold.
By the time you pack away the fiberglass rods, you might as well have an aluminum of PVC or carbon fiber boom, and or elements.
In a 3 element yagi, whats important is the driven element
and this driven element is not the most efficient.
And you know how efficient the element is how? And least likely to be sold.. Good thing you told me this. Because I might have mistook selling the next version of this antenna (in development) to 20 people to beta test as a indication that it can be sold. Would you recommend that I abandon the project and not sell to the 52 people on my email list then? It will be released to the public soon on VFcomms.com .
Ah! I love it! This reminds me of a yagi (70 cm) I made in the past as a student, using whatever was available to me that day: masking tape, cardboard from a recycling bin and soft 22 AWG wire pieces we had laying around. It wasn't great, but compared to a default rubber ducky we were getting decent gain and getting a clear signals through 2 downtown buildings on low power (1 W if I remember correctly).
Wonderful!
Just like me I went crazy making antennas when I got into the hobby . Love your ideas well done
lol, yup
Good to see some creative antenna innovation. Makes a change from the same old repetitive reviews of over priced commercial stuff.
Glad you liked it! 73
Hello from the other side of Nose Hill:) Very cool build and similar to what's done in conductive fabrics and films in the wearable technology space. One thing that jumped out is that thin connection before the BNC/SMA connector. When films get hard/impossible to solder sometimes you can get away with a conductive tape instead of solder. These are commonly used to bond conductive fabrics for EMI shielding. They also tolerate flexing which conductive epoxies do not.
Yup exactly!
Love seeing these videos of the copper tape antennas. I didn't even think it was possible with stuck thin material. Congrats on the success. Looking fwd to more from Washington, State, 73!
Glad you enjoyed it! 73
Love what you're doing to bring John Portune's antenna to the ham operators!
His antennas are amazing!
I've watched a few of your videos regarding the copper tape antennas. I have to commend you on your authenticity and open show of your passion for radio. It is so refreshing to see another ham getting the same excitement, fulfillment, and joy from doing antenna builds and seeing RF work as I do. In the years I've been a ham I have sensed a huge void and lack of authentic displays of enthusiasm for what it is we as hams do. At least here in my local community of hams, anyways.
In a video you made a comment about how maybe you were getting too excited about the antenna working. It was the video on the copper tape J-pole I believe... No, my friend, you were not getting too excited. I was just as impressed with the performance of that antenna as you were. So, again, keep up the good work and keep the passion for radio going.... 73
Thank you so much for the kind words. 73
If I ever SOTA or hike to POTA, I will consider a Flagi!
Great to hear!
Congratulations on the long distance contact! Im absolutely loving your channel and your experiments, keep up the good work! I can't wait to see what you're up to next.
Lol me too ;) I’m going to try and make all the things antennas.
More gain can be had via a 2 or 3 element cubicle quad, or better yet with circular loop elements. Is amazing what a single circular loop element will do, I hit the subscribe ,. Good Luck..
Copy, I need to make loop quads ;)
Very, very cool. thanks for doing your fun antenna builds.
My pleasure! More to come
Flagi 😅 great idea for a build, you could probably fit another element to that and it would still be light and portable.
Also you have the coax coming back over the reflector. I think if you had it popping out sideways for a bit it might help. Could just add another hole on your spider for a stub coming out.
True! I’ll add that to my design. Thank you 73
@@VE6SFX_HamRadioRookie I did the calcs and yes another element woould make your YAGI a square of about 1 meter. Give or take.
Nice one my friend. Actually I'm already planing to upload that kind of antena.. my materials is aluminumpoil
That should work nicely. Let us know how it goes
Love your copper tape projects, awesome ideas! :) Thanks for sharing your adventires in building antennas!
You are so welcome! Thanks for watching 73
Would definitely be very interested in buying a kit.
Noted stay tuned
I would definitely buy this as a kit. 3D printing and I do not get along. LOL
I know almost nothing about antennae, shortwave, ham, etc, etc.... but it looked like the upper and lower copper tape didn't connect to anything. Am I wrong or is there a reason for that?
They are connected to the coaxial feed line from the radio. Just taped over so they hold well.
Great build Ben. I'm making a 220 mhz beam with metal duct tape on a piece of cardboard for the mast etc. I'm conflicted with how wide the tape should be for the elements. I'm going to go with 1" like yours and see what happens. It's for inside the townhouse and doesn't have to be weather resistant.
1" for the 1.25 band will be plenty. That is a band that is only 3Mhz wide so you should be able to get it to 1.2 and below the entire band using this width
@@VE6SFX_HamRadioRookie Thanks. I might go all out and build it on a piece of poster board. 73 VE7FXY
Yes! do it you will love it
Hi Ben. The cardboard 220 4 El beam was a big success. I'd attach a pic but can't here. 73 de VE7FXY
@@jasons.298 AWESOME! Great to hear.
Add a map, compass, stake, and protractor...wow!❤ want one!
Yup. I actually have a theodolite app on my phone for next time :)
Wow! Love the idea of this for SOTA/POTA! At first I thought you were going for a "butterfly" broadband-style antenna (BBTD or other), but this is way better! I might still try a butterfly-style "british style flag" antenna just for fun at home one day, just cause it looks cool!
Let me know if it works for you. 73
Would love to see these as a kit on your website im in need for a yagi dont have lot of time to build my own or the funds for one like the arrow yagi and im trying to get into satellite ham radio
Excellent work and very helpful, keep it up!
Thanks, will do! 73
Thanks for the vid! it will hopefully motivate me to get some thing built!
quick question. did you use the director-dipole-reflector measurements center to center or the space between the tape?
Center to center
@@VE6SFX_HamRadioRookie
Thanks for the reply.
Probably such a small difference but it has a question that has been bugging me since I first looking at making the measuring tape yagi
How did you attach the BNC connector to the copper tape?
With copper tape :) Just taped it on. Later in future versions I make a ring terminal and use a machine screw to attach
Flagi great video and fantastic work. Always a great hibby and better when you have made something yourself with a result.
👍🏽👍🏽 73
Absolutely. Sometimes spending many times the amount you would have paid for something, and spending countless hours on it, strangely can be ultra satisfying LOL
Brilliant idea and great work
Thank you! 73
This is fantastic! I love your bravery in wading into the vicious nerdom to chime in with antenna info, one of the really hard and technical topics to “get right” for all the pedants out there. Especially since you’re new to the hobby. 73 W1NTL
Not brave just too dumb to know better :) 73
HOME RUN! Congratulations on this very light weight and portable Yagi. I wonder if the RX issue was due to your HT as many of those made overseas have a desense problem in the front end RF amp. See if you can do the same test but with a Kenwood, Icom or Yaesu rig, probably a 12v mobile type. 73 OM
Love to but my budget is very small and I can simply not afford something like that. I’ll hit up my local club with V2 and see if someone would be willing to test with me
Looks like a kit I would be interested in. I notice the handle is all on one side of antenna. Would it be more stable to weave handle through antenna? I look forward to further developments.
Great to know. And I will look into your suggestion. I kinda like it. 73
For the reallly far repeaters, try rotating the antenna a boot the boom. At that range and frequency polarization starts playing a part in signal strenght. Had made a circ-pol antenna that worked from 130 to about 500 based on the formula. Getting full quiet on 440 and 2M from about 45 miles out. I could hear others down in the noise (helps to turn off the squelch when doing FMDX).
The squeegie (?) handle is a standard thread; it might match paint pole extentions and broom handles. I see you were having a heat wave during testing. How long is it suppose last?
Where I live this is a late beginning to winter. The 'heat' spells last generally 6-7 months here. Thank you for the tip. When I put the antenna down it was at angle against my leg so this definitely is congruent with your polarization point. Because that is when things started coming in. Yes the thread is the same for brooms, paint poles etc.
Great work! Have build a 70cm Moxon on a A4 paper sheet with coper tape some weeks ago. 😂 ufb
Great idea!
This is a likely scenario where a better re(trans)ceiver could be of benefit. That may have been a factor in you not hearing the more distant repeaters well.
Totally what I was thinking. 73
Nice Flagi.
Than you!
What is the magic of 1” wide tape Ben? Why can’t I use 1/2” OR 10mm (assuming it will carry the current induced by my drive voltage/tape resistance)? Thanks, 73 Tom KC3QAC
In the end it comes down to a simple thing. The wider the tape the wider the bandwith. You will find that 1/2" is a bit narrow for the band
Cool idea Ben! Awesome video!
Look into adjusting your squelch levels. I'm sure there's not much noise on that hill and you can use a very low squelch level which will really open up your receiver.
73 VE3GKT
Thanks for the tips! These help this rookie immensely. 73
Loving your videos! Keep up the good work. 73
73 Thank you!
What a great idea I be happy to buy it but a lot of postage to uk
I actually have people in the UK that would be able to make it and send from there! Stay tuned.
So I got to thinking. I love your use of Ducktape. So why not use duck tape for this. With that you could use the ducktape to also make the tips. With some glass reinforced tape to boot. This would be a very strong flag and I would think if built right would be very tight also. Just a thought. Love your channel.
Yup this has crossed my mind. Stay tuned it may be coming :) 73
Very cool!
Thank you. 73
I’m thinking my sar backpack. And let’s us know when the kits are for sale. I have 4 element yagi I play around with satellites. But well it won’t fit in my pack or even strap to my backpack. Excellent job
Thank you! I once a lifetime ago was a founding member of the CALSARA Calgary Search and Rescue Association and this had not come to my mind that it could be a great kit add on for mountain ops.
@@VE6SFX_HamRadioRookie yes sir. I done a lot of search and rescue along with firefighting in the past. Just getting back I. To s and r. Getting my pack set back up.
Thank you for your service! Not a easy job. Other FYI is I would also not be alive today if it were not for SAR.
@@VE6SFX_HamRadioRookie the exact reason I got into. I got lost as kid. And my parents was emts so I grew up in that field.
I would buy your kit. Thank you for your video
Awesome, thank you! 73
Good job Rookie👍
Is that a SMA to BNC adapter on your radio ?
Yes it is. I have some control issues with my fingers and hands. So SMA is a huge pain for me. I added them so I could manage antennas easier
Oh yeah, forgot about that.
Next time you're in the hardware store, grab a rubber or cork stopper / plug, drill a hole to fit the adapter.
SMA connecters are notoriously fragile.
I love innovative stuff like this. Well done. Also loved the "flagi". 🙂
73 de NI4B
Glad you enjoyed it 73
Would it be possible to use the X from a kids kite at the centre point?
PS a great vid
Possibly. I’m not convinced it would be strong enough.
Thanks for your experiments, interesting 👍
You should call it the umBrellAntenna
Good one! 73
I would be interested in a kit form to do as a club project !
Awesome! 73
@@VE6SFX_HamRadioRookie we were just discussing doing a group build of the tape measure yagis at the meeting tonight ! Your video has me wondering if a hybrid antenna could be built using pvc, but with the copper foil tape ! Either way, I'm interested in a kit if you build them !
Love this concept. Would love to see a 70cm version
Yes I do need to make a smaller 70cm one for sure
@@DreadMakerRoberts if ya do I'll definitely pay to get the 3D print plans. I live up in the mountains and love to hike. This is prolly the best hikers antenna I've seen. You're on to something!!
Maybe. Saw a live stream yesterday with @HamRadioCrashCourse on a two element yagi that is pretty spectacular ua-cam.com/video/bDQWeAOuJl8/v-deo.html . Different approaches to a similar problem. I also see my big beefy handle really needs to go :)
I’m full-time motorcycle mobile, so have to save every cm of space. Especially length is a hard deal-breaker. Maybe shock-cord sticks (tent ones) would make it shorter.
This is a great idea and I’m going to try it out. I’d love to get a kit, so it would be more polished than something I would hack together (at a campsite). Thank you for building it and sharing it (and your enthusiasm!) with all of us. 73 W1NTL
Awesome I will keep you updated on progress. 73
Mmm…thinking of crating a 90 degree “elbow”, attaching a mast of some sort
Go for it!
As a full-time RVer I often go to places that would be really neat to do projects like this, but the 3D printing of course, lol. Cheers, Davey --KU9L
If you are adverse to 3d printing there are a ton of companies that will do that for you like www.shapeways.com/ However I am looking into producing some parts to sell as well. 73
@@VE6SFX_HamRadioRookie A centerpiece could be made with a small board and 4 small pieces of brass tubing from a hobby shop. Just epoxy them to the board at the right angle and they would work great.
Super cool! Yes, I would like info😊 thanks for the info! 73
Thank you and you can find more info at www.patreon.com/HamRadioRookie
I'm interested in what is exactly printed, and I'm interested in the files.
The spider thing holding the rods. If you expand the description there is a link to my Patreon (the first file is free) and you can get it there.
Do a log-periodic next
I’ll look into this. 73
Good attention to Details and i would like a 3D Printed center support from you , i can obtain those fiber support rods from Tractor supply or other Box store , appreciate your efforts . 73 , AJ W5HEH PS i got permission from my YL to use her Stain Glass copper tape lol .
If you follow my link to Patreon in the description it’s in the post about this video for free. 73
Oh shit, you fucking made it. Great job. Was watching your vids part 1 and 2 just yesterday. Went to look for copper tape at local big box stores here in hawaii. None what so ever but i did get hvac aluminum tape. As per John, W6NBC.
Awesome! Yes please try these out. I would love a island to island low power FM link proven :) Get a couple people on some mountain peaks and I bet it will be stellar. Plus not having to hump up a heavy antenna up a mountain is a bonus.
Would be interested in a kit
I did not expect so many to immediately say they were interested. Great to hear! I’ll keep you posted. 73
Is the 5" hairpin match arbitrary or universal? Or should we be tuning it to match 50ohms?
Love these builds!
Arbitrary tune to match at 50
I would be interested. Interested in a more tactical style😊. Does it come in black!
The new one posted here is cut from tarp. ua-cam.com/channels/kffBq3x94Y59KRHmeN_Szw.htmlcommunity?lc=UgwlrZmzlwZ0oij9IUl4AaABAg&lb=UgkxTS8b6Khf3R_opbW4kSv4HqB1pC3DlXgO I can cut black and camo tarp just as easy and insead of using clear tape use black or cammo gun tape. in short I will make 'tactical' versions.
Well let's know when you finalize it. Def be interested
I'd be interested in a kit
Awesome 73
I want to get your yagi kit
I would also be interested in a kit for this antenna!⚙
Love to hear this. 73
Well done! I would be interested in a kit and/or the 3D file to make the center spreader. 73 de AL5M
Great to know. 73
Great idea and a great video! 73, N4MJR
Many thanks! 73
Dude. You rock. 73 KE8YCV
Thank you so much. 73
Why 1" copper tape instead of all 1/4"?
This increased the bandwidth massively and would allow a good SWR across the full band
I am very interested in buying a kit.
Great job!
73 de AE6FE
Guy Hornbeck
Good to hear! thank you Ill keep you updated
Beautiful. 73 :)
Many thanks! 73
Color me interested!!!!
awesome!
K7LA is interested in a future kit.
Awesome. 73
is a kite antenna even possible?
Yes! There have been many made. This type is not really conducive to a kite though as it is directional so you would be at the will of the wind. I would much rather take a parafoil and tape a slot on it or hang a j-pole from it to get the most of if it.
Interesting. I will stay with my proven 1 oz antenna for SOTA.
Stick with what works! That is cool. What do you have that weighs 1oz? Is it a yagi?
@@VE6SFX_HamRadioRookie edz made from 24 gauge wire.
@@malenve6vid and it weighs 1 oz? including frame supports ? Love to see your build. Got any pictures anywhere?
@@VE6SFX_HamRadioRookie hiking pole, mast or hang it in a tree.
@@malenve6vid Ok cool. Is this a Yagi style your are hanging up? Where did you get a mast or hiking pole that weighs less than 1oz? Love to get my hands on one.
This screams out for something like a Hoberman Sphere for the replacement of the rods. Just pull it to size, then collapse and go.
Oh! good idea. Thank you. 73
I'd buy a kit......😊
Love to hear that. 73
Next evolutionary step is making a 1/4 ground plane with the arms and legs of a tykev suit as the ground plane and putting the Vertical portion in-between your cheeks.
ummmmm not that kind of channel
@@VE6SFX_HamRadioRookie”Tykev” should be “Tyvek”. 73, Tom KC3QAC
Where is the "Tape Measure"?
No no the tape was measured. Not ‘tape measure’
Interested. KF0NNQ, 73.
Noted. The new versions are really cool. It will be a video or two out but once it is done we can chat.
@@VE6SFX_HamRadioRookie QSL
......."rookie"...🤔
Truth, only been a ham for 8 months. Don’t even have a hf rig. Just a few Chinese ht’s it’s all I can afford right now
I would buy a pocket yagi for wifi!! If you make one of those!
Not a bad idea! 73
A length of light weight coax and you could fly it!
Next new fad…… Kites On The Air!
G4BTI.
KOTA lol. Or low level Balloons BOTA?
Sold! I wanna kit. :) Thank you for your time and ingenuity!
KJ7NUX
Any time! 73
Yes! Take my money!
I continue to enjoy your creativity with the copper tape. Reminded me of when I built a tape measure yagi on a cross country ski pole that I picked up at a local thrift store. If you would like some resources I found researching that let me know. de ki7cia
That is awesome! I’ll reach out when I need help!