CB Base Antennas Part 4: Build Your Own!
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- Опубліковано 23 кві 2021
- I figured it was time to wrap up my series on base station antennas. A long held tradition amongst HAM radio operators is the ability to create their own Long wire antenna setups when needed.
While this video just scratches the surface of what is possible, there are a great many books out there covering the creation of CB HAM and AM transmitting Antennas. Anyone interested in creating their own base antenna should consider picking up one or more of them to study these concepts further.
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Grab a copy of the ARRL antenna book, those are essential in learning basic radio physics and will give formulas for building any type of antenna for any frequency you desire.
Great tutorial Erik. Antenna's are the radio, you can spend thousands on radio gear and a few bucks on an antenna and hardly be able to talk to your neighbor, design a high gain antenna, Couple it with a three dollar radio, and talk to the man on the moon.
I've made quite a few different antennas, but my favorite store bought antenna for DX/skip was called a Sigma 4 or Sigma IV. For a vertical antenna, that thing was amazing!
They are so easy to build I can't understand why more people don't (who have the skills) As you said making stuff is a big part of the hobby.
Some people are not handy to do things like this.
I've been patiently waiting for this episode. Thought I had missed it and rechecked all your video lists , and of course had to view all the ones that had slipped by me. Pretty sure I bumped quite a few view numbers for you. Thanks for all you do. I am definitely a Farpoint Farms fan. I even put my cb on scan every time I drive through NC in hopes of hearing you. God Bless ...
Eric, thanks for another great video! Your CB videos got me into the hobby. Stan Gibilisco (RIP) has some great antenna theory videos on UA-cam that are for ham but are applicable for CB as well for folks looking for more detailed info on homebrew antennas. I've built a 1/4 wave inverted V wire dipole and a 1/4 wave vertical ground plane, both for CB. 73!
Hi Eric...long time watcher of your channel. I really like that you keep things simple....for newbies or experienced. You have many varied interests: CB, HAM, SWL, "operate your own low power FM station, etc. You like to K.I.S.S. You build things. I know you were a General License amateur and are now getting back on the ham bands. I too am an amateur 1st lic in 1960. I still like shooting skip and QRP operating. So just want to give kudos to you for all the encouragement you give, especially newbies. Keep on keeping on. Mick K4EXB
Great video !! Thanks for the shout out 👍. You had me cracking up searching for the right word about where the coax hooks in 😂😂
S O 239 my friend 😀,, and the PL 259 is the other part on the coax , I know you know this , it happens to me too more often than I want !
Just built an Inverted V antenna for the 6 Meter and 10 Meter bands. Designed the 1:1 BALUN with internal matching network as well. I will make up elements for the 20 and 40 Meter Bands when I get the time.
Going to use this as a quick simple deploy antenna when camping and hiking.
Here in the UK when it comes to DIY CB antennas the T2LT coaxial dipole is probably the most popular.
That Christmas 🎄 present, is still getting some good use. It snowed here, yesterday.
One of the most simple antenna's I make is the T2LT wire antenne. It's made only from RG58 c/u coax and works great. You can hang it from a tree or a pole and is easy to carry with you if you want to work in the field.
The only antenna I’ve ever made is a yagi-Uda out of a tape measure for the 2M band.
Great job explaining home brew antennas. Yes this video will inspire people to do some research and start building there own antennas.
For the group here to find the length you need for 1/2 wave.
Divide 468 by the frequency you wish to work. Example (468\ 27.385 = 17.0896 so that is 17 ft and change to convert to inches get
17.0896 x 12 = 205. 0752”. Inches of wire you need for channel 38. But like Erik said always cut a bit longer so you can adjust for your SWR.
building homebuilt antennas is a fun part of the hobby, a roll of normal copper wire is all it takes but fun can be had experimenting with alternative materials can be cool too, i personally have a dipole antenna made from a broken 25 foot tape measure that talks great and has low SWR. It's hanging roughly 40 foot up in a tree
Most THHN wire now days has a foot marker on the writing of the insulation of the wire... its small and hard to see but instead of counting wraps you can just use their markings to exactly find out the length of wire.. FYI Good Job again Eric on the Homemade CB style of videos 👍👍
Great review on antennas. The way I got the best of both worlds is to have a horizontal beam I home brewed two aluminium arms on a pivot and a small geard down stepping motor that drives the shaft that is fixed to the arms that clamp on to the antenna .so I can flip my beam from horizontal to vertical. I dont know if this is commercial available but if you love home brewing there must be loads of variations you could come up with .allso you could fit something to give you a bit of elevation
The easiest antenna is the simple dipole where you cut two 1/4 wave wires and feed one side with the center of the coax and the other with the shield. This doesn’t require a matching network. That’s the antenna your friend sent you. The person that wants an antenna for FM radio needs to make a vertical about 2’-4” tall with 4 radials the same length for a ground plane. All material would be less than $15.
Good stuff Eric.
Can't wait to see it work...
I have built a few 2 and 3 element Yagi beams for CB band. Made from 1/2” electrical conduit. Light and cheap. I’ve worked Europe and Australia from western Canada for $45.00 and a little time.
I just bought a Siro 5/8 "301". Anyway my first vertical and this thing is big plus 3 radial and installing on a tv push up metal pole all by my broken back 68 self , never again . what a pain !big job for me . I'm use to wire dipoles in a tree like your camping antenna.
Very interesting video eric. I just might give this a try. I'm definitely all about saving money. Lol. And it looks like it might be fun.
I grew up talking on a Lafayette comstat 25-a and a citizen-fon model cd-5 tube CB radios and still have them today.
The Comstat line from Lafayette was one of the best CB base station lines ever made (actually made by Kenwood-Trio for Lafayette). I still have the Comstat 23 Mk IV, the Comstat 25 (the one that had the special trucker channel between channels 22 and 23 that the FCC never approved, now channel 25), the Comstat 25A and 25B models and they all still work and all have the original stock microphones that they came with.
An antenna analizer is fun to use takes a lot of guess work out i have a 5 band vertical hustler with under ground radials and then tune each section some slick with the anilazer
Check out these small and cheaply priced NanoVNA Vectors network analyzer gizmos, the SWR set is easy to set up and use and works great ! You can get them on Amazon real cheap too.
Another helpful video, so thanks!✌️
You got it!
I've always had good results with the 102" SS whip. They're indestructible. The steel bumper is an excellent ground. I prefer to use a Hustler 2"SS ball and 4" SS spring. Mine is mounted in the same location as the one you presented, but on a 2015 Nissan Frontier.
I've considered using a Breedlove Stake Hole mount on my low milage 2007 D. Ram 1500 I just bought from my Dad. The only thing is it will be grounded to the body instead of the bumper, I believe making it even more directional.
The problem with modern trucks is the bumpers are plastic making it harder to mount- The 102 whip is a classic great antenna
Some years ago, I made a 1/2 wave, Inverted-V that I used as a CB base station antenna (for a cost of about $5.00). It worked very well, but the really interesting part of the Inverted-V is you can make then as big as you want, as long as you have the height and space to hang it. Each leg must be an odd number of quarter wave lengths long and if you make one that is three quarter waves long on each leg, you start to achieving gain.
My problems have been that most of locals here have vertical antennas and they are weak on my horizontal wire dipole antenna and they have a hard time hearing me clearly. So I bought a Siro 5/8 ground plane to visit with them.
Can you explain this in more detail or post a link to some info i can read and build it. Im in the process of making a CB home base. And want to build an antenna for it.
10:31 you can also hang wire from it and use it as a dipole.
Thank you I'm just getting into this .
It's a good video Eric. Me and a ham myself I build a lot antennas. The simple way to make a a good dipole antenna is two pieces of wire and an so-239 connector and make an inverted V antenna. That's what my 40 meter is got a one-to-one match on it with the tuner by the 1/5 without the tuner. Keep up the good work Eric love watching your videos 73
Great video. Just found your channel
welcome
Hey Eric. Thanx for the inspiration. Can you post the name/author of some of the DIY antenna books you mentioned?
Yes 🙌💯 endless antenna ideas 😁💡
Right!~
Keep it up told one of my 10 10 cb radio friends your not a 🥇🥇 tech keep your 🐾🐕 out of the radios
Thank you for making these great videos. I'm just getting into CB. I took your advice I bought a uniden bearcat 980 SSb. I'm in a wheelchair so I can't get on my roof and hang my antenna. I want to get the tram base antenna 50 ft of the coax cable I can hang it in my attic and I can run it down to my living room. Willl I still get good reception? I'm on the second floor so will be the third story in the Attic. Thank you very much. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. We I also have the ability to mount it outside my second floor window on a roof out there? Not as high as attic though. Please help thank you
Half wave dipole with 5mm al tube and the plastic piece off folded dipole off my tv ant and a lanth of straght wood as a balancer
I was always taught it’s better to have a mediocre radio & great well tuned antenna.
110% Yup!!
The antenna you called a long wire is actually a 1/2 wave dipole for 26/27 MHz and one can be built for less that the cost of the one you showed.
Nice video!
Glad you enjoyed it
Thanks!
No thank you for your support. I appreciate that
I have a late 90s cobra 148 GTL no clue how to tune it. I’d like to know if you’ve already made a video on the 148. 148’s plus the super similar Unidins are laying in everyone’s garage. It was their Grand Pa’s whatever
I’ve learn a ton watching you video’s I really have been inspired tp build my own base station I wish I could spam the like button.
Glad I could help!
Great vid I have a DV27 what size do the ground planes need to be to mount on 18ft pole thanks
That antenna is a 1/4 wave antenna, though it is shortened by quite a bit (a full 1/4 wave radiating element would be about 104-1/8 long".
{468 divided by 26.965 divided by 2 times 12 equals 104.135 or 104-1/8")
I would start with 125" counterpoise (ground-plane) elements and if necessary shorten until you have good VSWR and angle them down at about a 25 to 30 degree angle. You will need 3 to 4 of them to make an effective counterpoise (ground-plane).
The reason for the longer than 1/4 wave on the ground-plane elements is because of the nature of the antenna, it requires a bit more ground that say a 1/2, 3/4 or a 5/8 wave antenna which can use a true 1/4 wave counterpoise.
Another great video! One thing though, I believe dipole is pronounced die-pole.
Thanks for the info!
@@FarpointFarms No problem!
Sounds like that antenna is for the 160m band (1.8-2.0 MHz)... So, taking a middle frequency of 1.9 MHz, you're looking at 468/1.9=246.842 ft for a half wave... Assuming that you are correct with your statement of 160 ft, then that would mean that you are most likely using 1 1/2" sched-40 PVC pipe (with its 1.9" in actual diameter diameter)... If you said what size pipe you were using, I could not make it out...
One thing that I've found a bit easier when wrapping wire around a pipe or rod is to start out by measuring the entire distance that I want in the coil and marking it with a piece of tape... Then I wrap the wire around the pipe/rod with no spacing between the loops until I get to where the tape marks the end... I then start stretching the coil out on the pipe/rod (which makes the coil tighter and will result in perhaps a couple of coils being uncoiled... We're not really interested in the number of coils, but rather the total length of wire that is in the coils, so it makes more sense to just mark this out to start with and then massage that tight coil into a helix...
Yup!
@@FarpointFarms -- Another thing that I've found that makes it easier to get a tight coil is to do the initial wrapping around a cylinder (pipe/rod/etc) that is slightly smaller than the final item that you are going to wrap the wire around... When you wrap wire around a cylindrical object, you get a certain amount of "spring-back", so starting smaller can make it so that you end up with the right size after it springs back slightly... I'm talking abut solid wire though... I don't know how well this technique would transfer over to a more flexible stranded wire...
I wanted to try making various length wire-wound fiberglass antennas for my Jeep for different ham bands, but although it is easy enough to get a 3/8" solid copper rod and wrap the wire around it, finding a 3/8-24 connector to put on the bottom of it has been a bit troublesome... The few that I've found have been by companies that wanted as much as an entire pre-made antenna would cost...
What antenna would be better at 5/8 and Tron or a 5/8 IMAX or the 5/8 Mako which is the one I’d love but I don’t like having 9 foot ground planes hanging off the edge because of wind and because of the lack of energy and help to put it up . It’s funny how I’m stuck on what kind of antenna to get when I used to speak around the world with a whip on top of a fiberglass pole but your opinion to me would be greatly appreciated.
I have the iMax 2000. I am not happy with the build quality. I'd go with the Mako.
@@FarpointFarms
I’m glad you said that that’s what I was going to get thanks a lot buddy, I’ll give you a shout when I get down to Pickens County South Carolina, who knows with a 500 W kicker or maybe 1000 I might be able to reach you
I don’t have any radios yet but I am interested in getting on board.
it is a fun hobby- you don't have to spend a ton of money to have fun
How did the wire antenna work for you on distance? I put one together and put it in my shop. My SWR's are low, I can hear a lot, but don't believe I have the power to talk back to anyone. Of course my cb does not have sideband.
It works, but I prefer a store bought unit.
Did I miss something? What do you do for a ground plane for that wrap around antenna ❓
This one was placed on a metal roof.
❤❤ tnx
No problem!
Is the antenna your making for the AM broadcast band?
Yes. Good guess!
Can you list the plans/peices build plan for the retractable antenna. The one at min mark 3:07 please?
I will see if I still have the list of what I used. If so, I will add it to the description
I like the antron 99 and wilson 1000
2 good choices
Does the ground plane literally get grounded into the dirt or not? If not then what part of the antenna gets grounded
You are confusing the RF ground with the earth safety ground.
The ground plane is the other half of the antenna and makes it more efficient.
The earth safety ground is an 8 gauge bare, solid copper or 10 gauge bare, solid aluminum wire that goes from the ground side of the antenna (the same connection point as the ground plane) to an 8' ground rod driven into the earth.
what gauge wire do i use
What size wire you use
What size wire did you use for the antenna ? Thx
12
Can the first basestation antenna be installed in the attic?
yes, but it would not work as well as if you put it on the roof
Hi Eric, do you have a email address to be able to send pics and ask questions, I have some early cb to talk about. Thank you
How do you figure the length of coax to use on a base antenna is there a formula?
I've been wondering this too. Seems like if you can use insulated wire for the antenna itself, the insulated coax would come into the equation. I hope someone answers that knows more than I do.
You can use however much coax you need to go from your antenna to the radio (the shorter the better to reduce losses).
There is no magic formula for that and anything you might have heard is just basically an urban legend. The "every 3 feet" rule goes out the window when you consider that you have to take into consideration the velocity factor (VF) of the coax in use and that the VF can be different for every type of coax made!
Precisely measured coax lengths are normally used in tuned circuit antenna systems such as a Phased Array System.
If you find that you need to add or subtract coax from your station to attain a match then you have something wrong with the antenna or the radio and that will need to be fixed before trying to p[ut the station on ther air.
In my 45 years in radio(civilian and military) I have never had to use a measured coax run except for when I had a "2-element ground-mounted phased array" for 40 meters when I lived in Texas.
73, John, N1WOM.
What are your thoughts on a Patron PT99
From what I understand it's a clone of the A99 from Antron. If it's a good clone, it will be a good antenna.
Delta Loop, T2LT, Gain Master, 9:1 special edition 31js20, 49:1 special edition. Magnetic Loop. All home Made antennas. 7351.
👍👍🍻
HIT YA UP YESTERDAY ABOUT COAX ON MY IMAX 2000 NOT USEING GROUND PLANE WOULD YOU PUT A CHOKE COIL AT CONNECTION AT ANTENNA THANK"S.
YES!
Can you use a tv antenna
No. Just search "1/4 wave dipole cb antenna diy" to get started.
I have a serious question that's been driving me nuts for years and no one ever gave me a good concrete answer. Reading the comments seems to he a lot of smart antenna people on here. Years ago I bought an antenna for TV / radio etc. I had little to no reception. Mounted it on a pole 20 ft then 30 then 50ft. All the same results. Was so damn fed up I went back up removed it from the pole and thew it on the ground. I went into my home to grab a drink and BOOM. Crystal clear reception. I then did a channel scan and I went from 7 channels to 60 channels. How, how, how did my antenna get more reception laying on the ground than putting it high up into the air???? Can anyone fully explain this to me?
Hmm. No idea, anyone else want to chime in?
@@FarpointFarms Thanks for the acknowledgement. I hope someone has a decent answer. Like I said, it's been driving me insane for years, not knowing the answer.
You said 1/4 wave is 108 inches what would be a 1/2 and 5/8 wave all on cb frequency thanks
1/2 wave is 18 feet, my Antron is that height. I am not sure abut 5/8th.
dude, look up the formula, or use an online calculator. Anyway, it's pretty obvious to double the figure of a quarter wave to get the half wave. Sure, a quarter wave is around 108 inches in free space, but depending on the application, it will be shorter. This is base on the velocity factor of the material, whether that be its electrical properties or insulation on wire, and diameter. Also, in the case of the half wave dipole in this video, what they call end effect. End effect significantly shortens those free space theoretical dimensions. He said it was intended to be used as an inverted V, now this can also have a small shortening effect depending on angle. This bloke would not know any of this, so don't listen to a word he says, he's a goose. It's likely he would retard by saying that I don't know what I am talking about, but if you do your research and actually ask someone in the know, they will tell you that everything I am saying is 100% accurate. I just don't have an inclination to make BS videos for monetary gain.
@@arconeagain You sounds like you'd be the life of every party. Watch that swollen head as you try and pull it out of your own rear OK?
LoL! It shows you edited your comment, I can't imagine what your first run said! 🤣
He is right though about indefect and all that means is the top quarter wave of any antenna will need to be 5% shorter then what a quarter wave calculates out to be so instead of 108 in a quarter wave is more like a hundred and two and a half, and even a little shorter if you're going to consider the diameter if it's made of aluminum, in that case you take pi times the average circumference x 707 and remove that amount for resonance.
For instance, an aluminum tubing quarter wave will end up being around 101 inches total.
With wire dipoles usually about 8 ft 7 inches works well.
It's been 3 years since you did this video, I imagine you're probably a general or extra class by now?
Are you familiar with what's called the T2LT antenna?
It's really just a coaxial dipole, for CB what works well is to wrap 16 turns of the coax around about a two and a half inch diameter schedule 40 PVC go up 9 ft and at the end of the coax with no connector, solder about 9 ft of 12 gauge wire, strip the end and wrap it down around itself making a loop so the entire piece of 12 gauge from where it meets the coax to the top of the loop is about 8 ft 7 in, put parachute cord or something similar through it and pull it up over a tree branch and you've got a nice end fed / center fed dipole! It's the electrical equivalent of an antron 99, if not actually a little more efficient.
Another thing you might want to try if you're still playing with low powered am standard broadcast band equipment is taking .6 wavelength and wrapping it so 70% is tightly wrapped from the top down, then a little looser wrap, then an even looser wrap until you've reached the bottom.
Install it over 4-5 elevated 1/4 wave radials - or a large metal roof - and you should get excellent omni efficiency.
👊🤠
That's .707! I forgot the decimal point.
want some gain? 35 feet of wire fed one quarter wave in. quarterwave 9 feet to the shield of course. 50 ohm coax no balun required. way more gain than a a99
These homemade jobs can be really sweet!
I have a attena tower to sell would u be interested in 48ft
I am not sure my wife will allow me to have something that big
It is PVC
OK.
Looks like a royal pain in the ass,....that pvc one especially.
That is PVC
Ok.
First
138 xlr no one wants to fix it.
I built mine using a satellite dish and using 3 3 foot pieces of pvc pipe and wrapping 9 feet of copper wire around each pipe pvc when I finished I had a 3 element beam I brought the ends of the pvc together and mounted a so239 connecter at the ends of the pvc make sure you ground the elements by using a hole in the so239 mine reads 1.2 on channel 40 and on channel 1 that is good enough for me it receives real good but I don't have enough power to talk skip
sounds like a good set up
To test wavelength you need an oscilloscope to test properly
what?
Brain fart !
Happens when you get old . 🥹
I am in trouble since I have been having brain farts since I was little
@@FarpointFarms excuses excuses . But um , I believe it .