DIY 2M Ground Plane Antenna - Ham Radio - TheSmokinApe

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  • Опубліковано 6 гру 2020
  • 2M Quarter Wave Ground Plane Antenna - Ham Radio - TheSmokinApe
    In this video we build a DIY 2 Meter Quarter Wave Ground Plane Antenna. Please leave any questions, comments, suggestions or recommendations below and I will do my best to respond.
    Please consider supporting TheSmokinApe Channel on Patreon Here: / thesmokinape
    Links to products in the video: www.amazon.com/shop/TheSmokinApe
    Aluminum Rods: amz.run/44uz
    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
    Video Links:
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    Thanks,
    TheSmokinApe

КОМЕНТАРІ • 185

  • @billpowell5931
    @billpowell5931 2 роки тому +2

    I know I am late to post, but this is an awesome presentation of how to make an effective 2-meter antenna and spend very little money.One of these is in my future for portable operation, for sure. Thank you for sharing.

    • @TheSmokinApe
      @TheSmokinApe  2 роки тому

      Glad you liked it, thanks for watching William 👍

  • @Marmot689
    @Marmot689 3 роки тому +1

    I have made and used these for years. I have one and my HTX-202 that I used in the early 90's when my wife and I were climbing the 14'ers here in CO. Spade terminals and coat hanger wire.

    • @TheSmokinApe
      @TheSmokinApe  3 роки тому +1

      That's awesome, I like hearing about folk's projects.

  • @stridermt2k
    @stridermt2k 3 роки тому +1

    Thanks in advance for this video. Your work is appreciated
    The 1/4-wave ground plane antenna is so classic, and it scales up or down so well too.

    • @TheSmokinApe
      @TheSmokinApe  3 роки тому

      Thanks Mike, hope the video doesn’t disappoint 👍

  • @Yelnats101
    @Yelnats101 3 роки тому

    Built one similar to it 7 years ago. Never tuned it. Trusted my calculations and went with. Use it daily and have had no issues

    • @TheSmokinApe
      @TheSmokinApe  3 роки тому +1

      They are great antennas, I'm pretty happy I decided to build one.

  • @503Nick
    @503Nick 3 роки тому

    That’s awesome. And the portability makes it a no brainer

    • @TheSmokinApe
      @TheSmokinApe  3 роки тому

      Thanks Nick, glad you liked it 👍

  • @Cr0cket20
    @Cr0cket20 3 роки тому +2

    Still learning from you. Passed my test this week and went through testing a bunch of repeaters. Found the truck setup works pretty good but then house needs some help. Something down this path is believe. Thanks for the vid.

    • @TheSmokinApe
      @TheSmokinApe  3 роки тому

      Glad you liked the video Crockett. This was an effective antenna that was easy to build, congrats on passing the test 👍

  • @manofkentcatapultsgunsando5069
    @manofkentcatapultsgunsando5069 3 роки тому +2

    I've made the same antenna , everything cut at 160mm for 446 mhz , SWR at 1.1 . Excellent video New subscriber 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇬🇧🇬🇧

    • @TheSmokinApe
      @TheSmokinApe  3 роки тому +1

      Thanks for the info and the sub 👍

  • @Edsoutdoors
    @Edsoutdoors 3 роки тому +2

    Hey there Ape, I just built a 2 meter ground plane antenna out of some Bell wire for telephone , was able to get the SWR at 1.125 works awesome of course I got the idea while on coffee and ham with you guys a few weeks ago, thanks to you and To and Chuck I’m addicted.. wish I could figure out how to send some pictures otherwise Chuck has a small video that I did thanks again for all the awesome ideas just two months into it and a lot to learn as a tech thanks again..

    • @TheSmokinApe
      @TheSmokinApe  3 роки тому +1

      Hey Ed, glad you like the videos. If you are instagram you can send pics to me that way.

  • @tshinefield
    @tshinefield Рік тому +1

    Great video and information. Based on this video I built a 1/4 wave and it works great. In fact it works better than several 1/2 wave antennas I made.

    • @TheSmokinApe
      @TheSmokinApe  Рік тому

      Hey Tim. Yes, these work really well 👍

  • @Tommy_Boy.
    @Tommy_Boy. 3 роки тому

    Nicely done video! Thanks! Looks like a great little 2m design. 👍📻

    • @TheSmokinApe
      @TheSmokinApe  3 роки тому +1

      Thanks Tommy, it was a fun project and the antenna still works great 👍

  • @rohnkd4hct260
    @rohnkd4hct260 3 роки тому +1

    Good video. I made a "J-Pole" out of 300 Ohm twin lead once. Really surprised me how well it worked from my hotel room when was out of town on business.

    • @TheSmokinApe
      @TheSmokinApe  3 роки тому +1

      Very cool! Building your own antenna is rewarding, thanks for the comment!

  • @d3w4yn3
    @d3w4yn3 Рік тому +2

    Okay, so, this was golden!!! I've looked at a lot of different DIY antenna solutions, but none so cheap and so versatile as to put the tuning in range for me (see what I did there?)! I'm going to build one of these!!! Will let you know the results!!!

    • @TheSmokinApe
      @TheSmokinApe  Рік тому

      Good luck with the build DeWayne, glad it was helpful 👍

  • @brucewatney4416
    @brucewatney4416 2 роки тому

    Really excellent demo. Thank you

    • @TheSmokinApe
      @TheSmokinApe  2 роки тому

      Tha is Bruce, glad you liked it 👍

  • @daviddahlgren9603
    @daviddahlgren9603 10 місяців тому

    Great video , your vids are so smooth and easy to follow . Thanks...

    • @TheSmokinApe
      @TheSmokinApe  10 місяців тому

      Thanks David, glad to hear you like them 👍

  • @spudhut2246
    @spudhut2246 3 роки тому

    Great video, thank you! Keep them coming.

    • @TheSmokinApe
      @TheSmokinApe  3 роки тому

      Thanks Spud, glad you liked it 👍

  • @HAMRADIODUDE
    @HAMRADIODUDE 3 роки тому +1

    Excellent video!

  • @daveN2MXX
    @daveN2MXX 3 роки тому +5

    Nice job! I wish more youtubers would post diy videos, especially related to antennas. You are correct, a 45 degree angle for the radials will make the impedance theoretically 50 ohms for RF. Also...using aluminum is OK, but I believe you should use Ox-gard (or other product) to prevent oxidation when joining aluminum and copper or other dissimilar metals...just put some on the aluminum before you place the crimp connector.

    • @TheSmokinApe
      @TheSmokinApe  3 роки тому +2

      That's a good idea David, thanks for the tip!

    • @kenmcmullan9330
      @kenmcmullan9330 6 місяців тому

      Really? I'm fed up watching DIYers' UA-cam videos. Mostly because they spend 25 minutes explaining something which would be done in 10 lines of text and 4 photographs. Prefixed by 5 minutes of "all about me". Of course none of this applies to the present video. SmokinApe material has been very encouraging. My only comment is that (even thought I grew up in the UK) I cannot get my head around why you're use inches for antenna length. It seems to make the maths so unneccesarily complicated.

  • @hamandcheese25
    @hamandcheese25 3 роки тому +2

    Hey thanks for checking out my channel sir! I’ve built a handful of these using old metal coat hangers and they work great. The design I use is different than most, I think I have a new video idea. 73 my friend!

    • @TheSmokinApe
      @TheSmokinApe  3 роки тому +1

      Very cool! Looking forward to the video.

  • @fer_fdi
    @fer_fdi 2 роки тому

    Excellent! thank you very much!

  • @petrusJM
    @petrusJM Рік тому

    Iam From Indonesia-south east asia-thank you Sir for explaned about this antena Ground Plane-very good Hands Made

  • @kipdivito83
    @kipdivito83 3 роки тому

    Thank you for the video

  • @ammoshortage
    @ammoshortage 8 місяців тому

    I've got almost everything I need to build this antenna. I've got the SO-239 coming from Amazon. I can't wait to get it done. I'm thinking I'm just going to run the coax down a piece of PVC pipe to elevate the antenna, but I'm looking forward to testing it out.

    • @TheSmokinApe
      @TheSmokinApe  8 місяців тому +1

      That’s awesome AS, good luck with the build 👍

  • @walteredwards544
    @walteredwards544 3 роки тому

    Looks like mine except I used more flexible wire and i.put a ring connector at the top element so I could pull it up into the trees. I really need to buy an analyser because I've been going almost entirely off other people's measurements and the SWR meter if my radios. Thank again for making great content

    • @TheSmokinApe
      @TheSmokinApe  3 роки тому

      Glad you liked the video, I really like that ring connector idea!

  • @2heavyb517
    @2heavyb517 3 роки тому

    nice content, thanks

  • @TheNoCodeTech
    @TheNoCodeTech 3 роки тому +3

    #MNHR
    Team replay for the win!
    I dig this. Made a similar antenna out of wire coat hangers.
    Thanks for the video man.

    • @TheSmokinApe
      @TheSmokinApe  3 роки тому +1

      Glad you liked it NTC, glad t was a fun project 👍

  • @danl5905
    @danl5905 3 роки тому +1

    I did something similar but with a bnc, coat hanger wire, and europe terminal strip connectors to attach the wires. This way I can easily change between 2m and 70 cm. Benefit is lighter in weight to work better with my push up fiberglass pole. Also tuned it with nano vnc.

    • @TheSmokinApe
      @TheSmokinApe  3 роки тому +1

      BNC connectors sounds like a good idea, I might just have to order some. Thanks for the comment!

    • @davlanders2
      @davlanders2 11 місяців тому

      I know it's two years later but do you happen to have a photo of what you built? I'm looking for something light weight for portable field deployment up in the air and this sounds perfect.

  • @trig6712
    @trig6712 Рік тому

    Good took me back a lot in time Hi

    • @TheSmokinApe
      @TheSmokinApe  Рік тому

      Awesome, thanks for watching Trig 👍

  • @tombuttner
    @tombuttner 3 роки тому

    Solid build. Mine is a bit flimsy, but by design for packability.

    • @TheSmokinApe
      @TheSmokinApe  3 роки тому

      Thanks! I wanted something more durable because its going to be hanging out back for a while.

  • @andyschrack4466
    @andyschrack4466 3 роки тому

    I built something like this years ago but I used sheet metal as my ground plane with the flange connector attached to the sheet metal. I used solid copper as the center radial. I did sort of heat treat the copper. I heated it up and then quenched it. It did stiffen up the copper a bit. Anyway, I know I got lucky because it only needed minor adjustment and my VSWR was low. I was impressed with its range. I suspect it was the sheet metal ground plane.

    • @TheSmokinApe
      @TheSmokinApe  3 роки тому

      That sounds awesome, thanks for sharing and watching 👍

    • @wokzip
      @wokzip 2 роки тому

      What was the range?

  • @radioguy19510
    @radioguy19510 2 роки тому +3

    Just a heads up. You could have used brass welding rods which are ridged and you can solder them. Good video.

    • @TheSmokinApe
      @TheSmokinApe  2 роки тому +1

      I tried but couldn’t find the length I wanted, thanks for checking out the video Norbert 👍

  • @bitemykrank1970
    @bitemykrank1970 24 дні тому

    Good Video. I found the M0UKD calculator you used in the video to be very close with it's measurements. I have built a few of these for 70cm and 68cm band use and they are great as a quick antenna. From what I have found online in various places by various builders over many years is they all seem to agree on the dimensions. The radiator should be at or around 1/4 lambda, the radials should be .6 lamba longer. I have an SWR of 1.01 on 70cm, my 2m version I made the same way you made yours, but with brass welding rods so they would take standard soft solder shows an SWR of 1.015 at 145.5 which was my target and is 1.13 or lower from 144-148mhz. The radials are all 1.5-2cm longer than the radiator. The 3:1 bandwidth is from 139-158mhz, so VERY wide. These are really simple, but really effective antenna's.

    • @TheSmokinApe
      @TheSmokinApe  20 днів тому

      Hey BMK. Yes, these are a pretty simple build for an effective antenna. Thanks for watching and for the comment 👍

  • @erwinkourik6563
    @erwinkourik6563 6 місяців тому

    I BOUGHT ONE OF THESE GMRS ANTENNAS OFF EBAY FOR MY WHISTLER WS 1098 POLICE SCANNER /HOPEFULLY HE TUNED IT CORRECTLY .

  • @jamesgoodrich8355
    @jamesgoodrich8355 Рік тому

    Built one of these the other day. I started with the 4 ground plane elements straight out. SWR was 1.8 something. So as I started bending the 4 ground plane elements downward a few degrees at a time, my SWR reading dropped accordingly. NO TRIMMING involved. At about 30 to35 degree down angle my SWR was about 1.03. More than 35 degrees (for the length of my elements) the SWR started to go back up. So the take away here. Tune it by adjusting the down angle of the four ground plane elements, no need for trimming the vertical or ground plane elements.

    • @TheSmokinApe
      @TheSmokinApe  Рік тому

      Nice work James and thanks for the info 👍

  • @tallmike6598
    @tallmike6598 3 роки тому

    Nice work ! 73

  • @BarefootBeekeeper
    @BarefootBeekeeper 3 роки тому

    I made one with 5 cheap telescopic antennas, so it can be adjusted well into the UHF band.

    • @TheSmokinApe
      @TheSmokinApe  3 роки тому

      That’s awesome, I’ve seen where folks have done that. 👍

  • @thomasrogen3739
    @thomasrogen3739 2 роки тому

    I have built a few hundred of these and sold at hamfests and mail order. The easy way is to make a small jig with 2 bolts and bend the ends then you will not need the terminal connectors, faster and easier. Get a 2 by 2 inch metal plate drill 2 1/4 inch holes but 2 bolts thru about 1/8 plus apart and just bend the radius then use needle nose pliers to straighten the 90 degree out simple and easy you can turn out so many so quick.

    • @TheSmokinApe
      @TheSmokinApe  2 роки тому

      That’s a pro tip! Thanks for checking it out Thomas 👍

    • @jonathanhaynes9950
      @jonathanhaynes9950 11 місяців тому

      That's an excellent idea. I got hung up on the soldering thing; aluminum doesn't solder very well if at all. Simply bending a loop in the end is much more robust and offers less resistance compared to crimped connections. The 2" square is also a more robust platform. Your suggestion should be an addendum to this video, it's so good. Thanks!

  • @kentuckyburbon1777
    @kentuckyburbon1777 3 роки тому

    RE: SWR …Just starting to learn about ham radio…what are the benefits of this style of antenna VS folding Abree etc (i’m watching your other video) … eventually looking for something to take into the high Sierras. I saw someones comment about attaching a ring terminal and throwing up a tree and that seems like the way to go VS 42.5” antenna

  • @steverino27
    @steverino27 3 роки тому

    Great video. I can't wait to make one myself. Do you measure the radials from the center of the bolt connectors to the end of the radials?

    • @TheSmokinApe
      @TheSmokinApe  3 роки тому

      I just measured the length of the radials knowing that they would need to be tuned. Good luck with the build, it’s a fun project 👍

  • @lkliew1830
    @lkliew1830 Рік тому +2

    Nice build. Question, how did you soldier aluminum rod to the ring terminals which are commonly made of zinc coated copper?

    • @jonathanhaynes9950
      @jonathanhaynes9950 11 місяців тому

      I wondered the same thing. As far as I know, I have never been able to solder anything aluminum. The maker of this video talks about it matter-of-factly. Is soldering aluminum a thing now? What do you use in terms of solder? Thanks for the excellent video.

  • @gregorysmith3097
    @gregorysmith3097 3 роки тому

    Nice video. I guess it's time to hit up HD for some welding rods.
    Quick question, any reason you wouldn't be able to just bend the lug instead of the actual radials?

    • @TheSmokinApe
      @TheSmokinApe  3 роки тому

      You could bend the lug, thanks for the comment!

  • @melissarainchild
    @melissarainchild Рік тому

    Love the calculators. Any helix calculators? Are helices usefull on 2M? Thanks for the post!

    • @TheSmokinApe
      @TheSmokinApe  Рік тому +1

      Hey Melissa, if you Google “helix antenna calculator” a few come up. I’ve only seen them used for satellite work 👍

  • @dleland71
    @dleland71 3 роки тому

    Just a thought... Since you are cutting the radials in small increments, I was wondering about the connection screws pointed upwards. Do you think they might be acting like small redials and messing with the SWR? Try turning them downward and recheck. Maybe they won't make that much difference, but it's worth a try. Thanks for the video and equipment demonstration. I'm gonna get me one of those NanoVNAs. 73s and stay safe, we WILL get through this.

    • @TheSmokinApe
      @TheSmokinApe  3 роки тому

      That's an interesting thought, I'll have to play around with it. Glad you liked the video, thanks for watching!

  • @warplanner8852
    @warplanner8852 Рік тому

    Amen to having the antenna look good! Too many folks slap dash up those creepy #12 wire antennas. By the way, when you tune the antenna for 2m, give it a whirl on the 440-450 MHz repeater segment and you might be surprised.
    P. S. you can take the 19.5 inches to the bank. It's gospel.

    • @TheSmokinApe
      @TheSmokinApe  Рік тому

      Thanks for the info and for watching WP!

    • @warplanner8852
      @warplanner8852 Рік тому

      @@TheSmokinApe..not being very studious, I missed how you soldered the aluminum brazing rods. Could I impose on you to cover that for me?

  • @toml.8210
    @toml.8210 2 роки тому

    Use silver-bearing solder to solder the connectors to the elements. Lead solder will eventually degrade and break off.

    • @TheSmokinApe
      @TheSmokinApe  2 роки тому

      Thank Tom, this is a pretty good idea!

  • @RadioTech7388
    @RadioTech7388 3 роки тому

    Great build, an N socket would be better RF engineering as the SO239 PL259 combination is rated only to around 100 MHz. Thank you for the video. 73's

    • @TheSmokinApe
      @TheSmokinApe  3 роки тому +1

      Thanks a pretty good recommendation.

  • @drankurbaruah
    @drankurbaruah 3 роки тому

    Noob here.
    Just got my license.
    Purchased the mandatory Baofeng UV5R, like everyone else.
    A few questions:
    1. What metal does the antenna/GP need to be? Any metal or does the material affect the radiation?
    2. What to connect and where?
    Let's say I connect the centre of the 50 ohm coaxial to the vertical antenna component and then connect the other wire (is it called braid?) to one of the ground planes, as it'll act as the other half of a dipole. What about the other plane/s? Do they stay isolated or connected to the 1st ground plane?
    So sorry for the noob questions. Just trying to learn from the ground up, pun intended.
    Thanks for the awesome video!!!
    73
    De VU2EHC

    • @TheSmokinApe
      @TheSmokinApe  3 роки тому +1

      Any conducting metal should work, aluminum or copper are the two most common choices. I connect every think to an SO-239 adapter and then hook coax to that. If you connect coax to the antenna directly the center conductor goes to the vertical element and the shield or braid goes to the ground plane.

    • @drankurbaruah
      @drankurbaruah 3 роки тому

      @@TheSmokinApe Got it.
      Thank you so much for teaching me..
      Will order the parts today!
      Big bear hug from India
      Stay safe from the darn virus..
      73s

    • @TheSmokinApe
      @TheSmokinApe  3 роки тому

      You too, be safe 🙏

  • @DavidTeerTheBackyardUfologist
    @DavidTeerTheBackyardUfologist 17 днів тому +1

    Hello I am having trouble with my 1/4 ground plane antenna. It's all set up for a LPRS on 102.7FM it has 50' coax. No way to check SWRs I'm a DJ not engineer. It's all statically sounds bad range is bad should get a solid 2 to 5 miles with 15watts. Max. Can you hook me up with someone if you cannot help?

  • @Factory400
    @Factory400 3 роки тому

    How do these compare to a typical J-Pole made from Cu pipe? This looks like a great size/weight for my RV.

    • @TheSmokinApe
      @TheSmokinApe  3 роки тому +1

      Sorry man, I have never messed with those copper pipe antennas.

  • @DutchmanRadio
    @DutchmanRadio 3 роки тому +2

    I may or may not have already went over to Lowes to see if they had those metal rods last night 👀

  • @rjinnh3933
    @rjinnh3933 3 роки тому

    Did you measure/test with radial ends sitting in the grass as shown in last pic?

    • @TheSmokinApe
      @TheSmokinApe  3 роки тому

      No, it was hanging in free space 👍

  • @carypeaden4147
    @carypeaden4147 6 місяців тому

    I liked this (and all of your) video(s). I got my license this past summer and am now trying to learn to use my license. I have two questions about this video:
    1.) When you were on 146.73MHz, the antenna worked well and you were able to talk with people. When you switched to 146.520 you got nothing. I am not sure what you were showing there? Was the lack of a response because no one was listening on that frequency or was there some problem with that antenna at that frequency? (Am I correct in assuming the antenna would work fine on that slightly different frequency and there just wasn't anyone listening to talk to.)
    2.) For VHF and UHF, Is there any negative to using a BNC connector (BNC Female Jack with 4 Hole Flange Panel Chassis Mount Solder Connector) rather than an SO239 connector on the antenna? I already have a 15 foot RG8X cable with male BNC connectors that bought because I was going to use as my feed line to hang a jungle antenna (as described by NC Scout) in a tree. I could get a BNC to SO239 adapter to make the antenna as you built it to work with the cable if using SO239 connectors is somehow better than using BNC connectors for some reason. I haven't yet learned which connects are best.

    • @TheSmokinApe
      @TheSmokinApe  6 місяців тому

      Yes, nobody was on 146.520, that antenna would be fine on that frequency. Yes, a BNC would work fine. Thanks for watching!

  • @Protip72
    @Protip72 3 роки тому

    Any tricks to get the solder to stick to the Aluminum rods?

    • @wiltonsmith3397
      @wiltonsmith3397 3 роки тому +1

      Best advice would be to use a material that may be soldered to. Like not aluminum.

  • @tadejstanic8891
    @tadejstanic8891 3 роки тому

    I made an antenna similar to this one and I made sure that the radials are the corect size But it doesn't receive well do you think it could be the 6m of rg58 coax losing signal??

    • @TheSmokinApe
      @TheSmokinApe  3 роки тому

      That short of a cable shouldn't make a huge difference

  • @donaldshields2483
    @donaldshields2483 Рік тому

    How did you attach the antenna up in the tree that’s what I would like to do if you have time I would appreciate you answering my question thank you

    • @TheSmokinApe
      @TheSmokinApe  Рік тому

      I used glue lined heat shrink to attach a loop to the top of the element and then tied that to the branch 👍

  • @mrgajeep
    @mrgajeep 3 роки тому

    You commented that you would solder the terminals + crimping to the aluminum rods. How did that work?

    • @TheSmokinApe
      @TheSmokinApe  3 роки тому +1

      Just heat up the part you crimp and feed the solder into the open spaces

    • @dant.3505
      @dant.3505 3 роки тому

      Solder will stick and flow nice to brass brazing rods.

  • @Jayizzy433
    @Jayizzy433 Місяць тому

    Instead of bending the radials, bend the ring terminals right past the hole

  • @AdamKayePyro
    @AdamKayePyro 3 роки тому

    Soldering isn't an electrical connection, it's a chemical connection. Else, your mechanical connection could also be called an "electrical connection" as it also allows for transfer of electrons.

  • @yungsmile7546
    @yungsmile7546 Рік тому

    I'm new at amateur, so please bear with my asking, but how well can a 2 meter TX be with the antenna on the earth? From what I've learned an antenna needs to be at least as high off as the wavelength. So, could we say 80" up minimum? Hmmm. Maybe that's why you met with dead air.

    • @TheSmokinApe
      @TheSmokinApe  Рік тому

      Hey Yung, this was on the ground for the the pic. I was about 6 feet in the air when I used it.

  • @BrassCatcher365
    @BrassCatcher365 Місяць тому

    Is it possible to use these as base station antennas for the house with semi permanent mounting solutions? Should i make a balund of coax just before the antenna is i device to do this? Thank you for all you do! 73. KE8OKC

    • @TheSmokinApe
      @TheSmokinApe  Місяць тому +1

      Hey BC, you could use if for a base antenna. I’m not really a fan of the coax balun as they are very narrow banded and difficult to tune 👍

    • @bitemykrank1970
      @bitemykrank1970 24 дні тому +1

      You can make a simple RF choke for the 2m band from RG58. 5 turns around a 30mm former is all you need, or 5-6 turns on a FT140-43 toroid will choke any stray RF the same. You probably don't need it though. I don't have a choke on any of mine and have no RF issue's at 35w input

  • @heliumnetwork2871
    @heliumnetwork2871 2 роки тому

    Hi, if i make an antenna for 868mhz it will work for helium miner ?

  • @n3ljs399
    @n3ljs399 3 роки тому +4

    Solder a ring terminal on the top..... throw a string up a tree and pull it up.

    • @TheSmokinApe
      @TheSmokinApe  3 роки тому

      That's a pretty good idea. I did attach a string loop with some heat shrink but the ring terminal sounds like a better idea.

  • @streetpunk99
    @streetpunk99 2 роки тому

    Just built this exact project and can't seem to get it to work. The crap stock antenna that the uv5r came with was working better. I can't figure out whats wrong I've watched several of these builds and I've done everything the same....any suggestions?

    • @TheSmokinApe
      @TheSmokinApe  2 роки тому +1

      Do you have an analyzer to check SWR / Impedance? That's usually the issue.

    • @streetpunk99
      @streetpunk99 2 роки тому

      @@TheSmokinApe I do not. I've only been a licensed ham for about 3 months so I'm still trying to get that kinda of stuff. I know it's probably not accurate but I watched several different videos on the same exact build which I copied. Their SWRs were around 1:1 to 1:5. I figured if I copied exactly what they all did and used the same components I should get similar SWRs.

    • @streetpunk99
      @streetpunk99 2 роки тому

      To be fair, I do hit a few more repeaters that i couldn't before. I also have it set up in my basment as the wearhers been pretty crappy in my area latley. So I would say it's working better than the uv5r stock antenna but it isn't setting any records for sure. I also made a 1/2 wave 5 element ground plane and get similar performance out of it. I might be reaching the limits of what the radio can achieve?

    • @TheSmokinApe
      @TheSmokinApe  2 роки тому +1

      I think once you can check the SWR and get the antenna higher in the air your going to see better results.

    • @streetpunk99
      @streetpunk99 2 роки тому

      @@TheSmokinApe thanks for the info. Being new to all this it's often hard to tell if you're doing something wrong or if it's done right and just not preforming how it should. I'm gonna try to get it up on my porch roof once the weather calms down and if I remember I'll comment back again with the results incase any of your other viewers try this project and have similar problems. Maybe it'll help them.

  • @canadianrushfan12
    @canadianrushfan12 Рік тому

    I see you got aluminum rods. Does it have to be aluminum?

    • @TheSmokinApe
      @TheSmokinApe  Рік тому +1

      No, any conductive metal will work but the length may vary 👍

    • @canadianrushfan12
      @canadianrushfan12 Рік тому

      @@TheSmokinApe I’m in Canada. I’m going to look in the local hardware stores here. It doesn’t have to be exactly 36 inches? I just got my ham license in September. So much to learn and so many projects I want to do. This has been a big help. Thank you. 73

    • @TheSmokinApe
      @TheSmokinApe  Рік тому +1

      The longest part is just under 20"

  • @codybooth
    @codybooth Рік тому

    Hey ape, im trying to build a 2m full wave vertical. I used the calcs page in the M0UKD website for a quarter wave...there was a radio button to select a full wave so I typed 144mhz and selected full wave, it told me the vertical was ~ 80+ inches and radials were to be ~ 1ft 7 9/16" or something close....I cut longer to trim later
    Man I must be doing something wrong because this thing won't tune for nuttin, nothing less than 10.1 swr, I have it temporarily about 6' off the ground and the radials are parallel to the ground, not sloping, im scared to cut the element as im getting to close to the calculated legth.... I don't know man, maybe the radials need to be a wavelength also.
    Your thoughts?

    • @TheSmokinApe
      @TheSmokinApe  Рік тому +1

      I'm pretty sure if you have the radials at 45 degrees it's going to make a big difference 👍

    • @codybooth
      @codybooth Рік тому

      @@TheSmokinApe thanks I'll try sloping them in the morning

    • @TheSmokinApe
      @TheSmokinApe  Рік тому +1

      @@codybooth good luck with it

  • @quintoncarroll5803
    @quintoncarroll5803 3 місяці тому

    I may make this to connect my handheld. Do I need to have this antenna on the ground or is it okay on the floor of my deck? The deck is up about 12 feet.

    • @TheSmokinApe
      @TheSmokinApe  3 місяці тому +1

      It would be fine on the deck, I actually hung mine in a tree 👍

    • @quintoncarroll5803
      @quintoncarroll5803 3 місяці тому

      @@TheSmokinApe I may get a NanoVNA. I looked on Amazon and they are around $60.

    • @quintoncarroll5803
      @quintoncarroll5803 3 місяці тому

      Can I adjust a dipole with this as well? I just passed my technician exam so I am very very new at this.

    • @TheSmokinApe
      @TheSmokinApe  3 місяці тому +1

      I use the NanoVNA for all my antenna projects 👍

    • @quintoncarroll5803
      @quintoncarroll5803 3 місяці тому

      @@TheSmokinApe So if I bought the NanoVNA, I don't need a SWR meter because the NanoVNA has this built in?

  • @ubergeek318
    @ubergeek318 2 роки тому

    Can you build one for cb

    • @TheSmokinApe
      @TheSmokinApe  2 роки тому

      It would be a big boy. That said, I saw a massive one a feller made for 20m 👍

    • @ubergeek318
      @ubergeek318 2 роки тому

      @@TheSmokinApe I did one once. With a 102in whip and it did ok

    • @TheSmokinApe
      @TheSmokinApe  2 роки тому

      @@ubergeek318 lol, if anyone tried I’m sure it was you

    • @ubergeek318
      @ubergeek318 2 роки тому

      @@TheSmokinApe you know I can't stay off 11m

  • @rodski_tzu_nami
    @rodski_tzu_nami 2 роки тому

    Anybody know the Db gain of this type.of antenna?

    • @TheSmokinApe
      @TheSmokinApe  2 роки тому

      Sorry Rod, I do not

    • @thomasmaughan4798
      @thomasmaughan4798 Рік тому

      A quarter wave antenna with ground plane has very nearly unity gain (ie, no gain per se but also no loss); it is what everything else uses as the thing to be gained. In truth, gain is to a theoretical dipole that radiates in a sphere and there's no such thing but a quarter wave with ground plane is pretty close.

  • @kevinkc3onohelijeepworld953
    @kevinkc3onohelijeepworld953 3 роки тому

    Almost as good a a hydraulic crimp ☺️

  • @AA0Z
    @AA0Z 3 роки тому +1

    Ummm...that doesn't look like a GMRS freq. I smell something fishy going on.

    • @TheSmokinApe
      @TheSmokinApe  3 роки тому

      C'MON son, I was using a transverter 👍

  • @brunobassi2440
    @brunobassi2440 2 роки тому

    PMR 446 mhz
    Vertical monopole 16.13 cm
    4 Radials. 18 cm
    LPD 433 mhz
    Vertical monopole 16.61 cm
    4 Radials. 18.61 cm
    Diameter 2mm

  • @roberttreasurehawk5462
    @roberttreasurehawk5462 3 роки тому +2

    UA-cam video makers....Stop begging for likes and subscribers! If we like something, we know what to do.

  • @daledevito
    @daledevito 4 місяці тому

    I left a negative thumbs down anybody that ask for likes before the video gets shit

    • @TheSmokinApe
      @TheSmokinApe  4 місяці тому

      Awesome bro… I’m pretty sure you know where I think you should stick your thumb 👍

  • @caseykelso1
    @caseykelso1 Рік тому

    Isn't 1/2wave better than 1/4???????????

    • @TheSmokinApe
      @TheSmokinApe  Рік тому +1

      So that's a tricky question. On this antenna the vertical element is 1/4 wave and so are each of the radials. So it's in essence a 1/2 wave of "antenna." That probably makes no sense.

    • @caseykelso1
      @caseykelso1 Рік тому

      @@TheSmokinApe I get it bro. Thanks for sharing 🍸.

  • @n.g.gardenservicesessex1714

    Why not just fix the whip to a metal road sign or square metal sheet ?

    • @TheSmokinApe
      @TheSmokinApe  Рік тому

      You could, from my experience these work better... 👍