I just completed building the five element version of the Dream Beam antenna and got it up and on the air today. I must say, I am extremely impressed with how well this antenna works. I am hitting repeaters nearly 60 miles away with only 10 watts and the signal coming back is S5-S7 (no pre-amp). Initial testing of my dream beam, before raising it, showed SWR's at 1:1 on 146.520 and no higher than 1.4:1 across the entire 2 meter band. No post assembly tuning was necessary! I did make one modification. Instead of connecting an entire 50, 75, or 100 foot length of coax to the feed point (once it's siliconed, it's pretty much permanent) I made a feed line. I used a piece of RG-8X, long enough to put in a few turns in for an RF choke, soldered on a PL-259 and attached a barrel connector. Now if you need to move the antenna for any reason, you won't have to disconnect a long length of coax from your radio, just disconnect from the barrel connector and off you go. My dream beam is pictured on my QRZ page Thanks Matt and Darron, you guys are a hoot to watch and the background music is awesome. 73 KV3S
Very cool! The proof is in the results. It's always satsifying when your antenna works the way it's supposed too when you get done building it. You guys got me wanting to build two now. One for 2 meters and another for 70cm. You guys had fun building it. Great video and thank you for all the little details that you included. Thank you for sharing your project!
It is 35 years since I last used an IFR1200 shown at the beginning. (I used to do installation of base-stations and repeaters for a living). It was an excellent piece of kit and I'd have one tomorrow if there was one I could afford one.
Nice touch with the camo tape. Not only looks cool, but will protect the pvc from UV light. One of my Home Depot antennas started breaking down after 4 years in the sun light.
Best 2m design out there. I use the 5L version, my buddy uses a 7L version. We talk simplex (over 17 miles) regularly at half a watt. My antenna is at 33 feet. His is at 24 feet. He can use his VX-8DR to talk to me on 50 milliwatts! Unfortunately half a watt is as low as I can go. The only downside to this antenna is weight. This things are absolute pigs lol. We have redesigned them using fiberglass booms and spreaders with aluminum directors and reflector. 4lbs for the 7L version. Right around 3lbs for the 5L. I can hit repeaters at 80 miles day or night. There is a fairly tall repeater at over 100 miles that I get into on a regular basis. LOVE this antenna. I may have to try an 8 element version...12 ft boom and an estimated 16.2dBd gain! The only people that say that this design isn't worth the effort are the people who haven't used one. Great job, fellas!
That is somewhat of a contradictory statement. If that were true, you could take a 7 element Yagi and remove D1, D2, D3, and D4, but leave D5, and it would be the same boom length but it would NOT have the same gain. The elements are necessary every 0.15 to 0.25 wavelength for several reasons. If they were not significant, then you would see people with long booms with very few elements.
Half a watt is as low as you can go? There are several ways to get that lower. One of the ways I use is dump some of that power into a dummy load. That is, connect both your antenna AND a dummy load at the same time (using a power divider or a custom made "phasing" harness). There are also attenuators that should handle 1/2 watt in. A 6dB attenuator would make that 1/8th of a watt (about 125 mW).
I doubt an 8 element antenna of this type will be 16.2 dBd. More likely it will be closer to 16.2 dBi which is about 14 dBd. If you already have a 5 element, why not make an identical one and stack them vertically? That should squash the radiation down closer to the horizon and may add about 2 to 2.5 dB of maximum gain.
I utilize two meters for the national calling frequency 146.520 Mhz and sky warn when ever severe weather threatens my home town of Kokomo which inside Howard County in north central Indiana upon reviewing this video of Don's antenna I think he did a great job of producing that antenna.
+Tony Ridlen Thanks very much. It is a proven design. I have made a lot and I get a lot of emails with successful results. The only time people have issues is when they stray from the path. Try it before you redesign it. You won't be disappointed. It beats the pants off any single antenna system. 73s
Awesome video thank you. Putting up my homebuilt 11 meter experiment quad today and wasn’t 100% on how to wire in the coaxial feed into the driver. This is the first video I saw that showed that part which is very important. I appreciate it thank you very much for sharing.
Excellent advice about personal protection! You can't replace your eyes. I would also suggest gloves while running the drill. I had a bit break once and put a nice slice across the back of my hand as it cartwheeled away.
Hi Don, Came across this antenna of yours a couple of weeks ago and set to and built one over the weekend , I only had some PVC & some 20mil fiberglass tubing I used for the spreaders and made the boom out of some 2x2 wood that I have dressed up. I then made up the copper loops with the #8 wire but I brazed them together except the Dir element made as per instructions. Ive set it up on an 9 foot pole at the moment but intend to put it up on a 10 mtr aluminum pole so I can rotate to any position. But even at 9ft I am blowing my mates out of their shacks, it's amasing, SWR is 1.02 to 1.04 over the range of frequencies that I use.My frequency range from 146525 to 146900 so am very happy with this design. regards Lance Smith ZL2ALS
I love using PVC for projects but when using white PVC outdoors be aware that UV from the sun really weakens it over time. I have seen it become like egg shell. There is gray PVC pipe used for outdoor wiring and it has good UV protection built in. If not then get a good spray pain to coat the PVC pipe once it is assembled. Antennas are one of the things us hams can build and they are fun. All the best.
i just finished my 2 meter the evening before i got my general upgrade. whats nice about it is that with the mast unscrewed it slides right into the back seat of my 2010 crown vic police panther. its 5 14 2020 and theres supposed to be a vhf contest this weekend. couple hours and up to the top of the mountain i go. im running a ft 991at 50 watts, but my QYT 980 plus does all of 75 watts. comparrison time. lol only thing i changed on build was i used 1/8th inch copper tubing sleaves and soldered all but the driven. using a mfj921 tuner just to dial her in till i can get a analyser on it thanks for the build guys . Next up is a 3 rectangle moxon build. did a single for 6 meters and so impressed. very simple build and very light with exremely good gain . give it a try if ya get bored. thanks again . k2gfi,73
there you go !!! ....saw the first video , i bought the pvc and still have it , now that im retired ill build this " improved version " ....have a second tower i want to put up for satelitte work ! thanks for upload and ill be sure to wear saftey glasses to eliminate and cuts or bruses ......ill let you know in few days how this works for me ......de N5OMV .....ODESSA TEXAS !!!!
Awesome vids! This will be 18' up in my attic. Not the 40 you recommend. But I can reliably hit repeaters at 65 miles with my N9TAX antenna at the same height with 65 watts from a TM-281A. I can occasionally hit a repeater at 137 miles with some atmospheric help. Simplex @ 20 miles is no problem at all (Haven't tried any further than that). I live in Oklahoma so it's pretty flat out here :) Hoping the 5 element dream beam will extend my tx/rx distances even further. Cost will be lower since I won't be using end caps or glue/sealant, though a cheap $100 rotator will be needed.
For the reflector loop and director loops solder or braze the ends together and use slots at both ends. It will save you the weight of all the bolts nuts and washers for connecting the ends of the loops. Buy doing it this way you can form the loops on a work bench before inserting them in the end slots and adding the end caps.
Newbee to Ham but knowing something about pipe. You ought to try locating some schedule 80 fittings in key locations like the T that holds the entire Antenna to the mast. Schedule 80 is much thicker and is also much more resistant to decay in sunlight. Regular PVC becomes brittle when left in the sunlight. Schedule 80 does not. Also the fittings you are using to cover the ends of the loops electro-mechanical connections are called couplings. I just say this so it's easier for someone to locate the parts, not to be a prick. Thanks for the video. Its this kind of tinkering that I find interesting about the hobby. Perhaps one day my roof will sport some interesting roof art.
For the notch in the ends of the PVC, use a drill press drill a hole and at the bandsaw cut from the end of the pvc pipe into the drilled hole making a slot. This is faster and maybe cleaner that chipping away with a drill bit as if it were an endmill. Another method could be using a router table with the slowest speed setting and then just slot it.
Here is a Danny Hodges the UHF TV antenna builder guy tip for you for straightening wire. Chuck up one end of your wire into a drill and the other in a vise and run the drill a few revolutions and it will get all the crooks out of your wire.
Interesting antenna, looks like a decent loop antenna, seems I will be building one of these soon when the weather gets better here. Cheers Eddie VK6YA
looking at this antenna, you mention that you can rotate it vertical or horizontal for FM or SSB .. but .. the elements are loops ,, Not a conventional yagi configuration of rods and dipole ...so i doubt this antenna has any polarity ..
Too many post to find if this has been asked... Why not crimp and solder the wire loops ends together (except for the driven element, obviously) rather than drill holes and use the screws? Also...how about using this concept like a Quagi, using 2 loops, but yagi type directors for the rest?
Just a follow up seeing how I have not heard from you so I have put in the following Standard wire gauge ( UK) SWG # 8 = 4.1mm or 0.160” conversion is 8.6 metres per kg American Wire gauge ( USA) AWG # 8 = 3.2mm or 0.125” conversion is 13.5 metres per kg
I built this and have the Swr down to 1.12 @146MHz everything is as straight as I can get it but I’m not hitting anything new? Everything I can hit with the beam plugged into the HT I can hit with the HT w/ the abree antenna? Am I doing something wrong I had really high hopes of hitting something new.
Have you guys considered making a 5 element 2m antenna with a 70 cm antenna on the front for satellite communications? I think there are some possibilities for that.
Maybe cut the pipe just a BIT longer 1/16 inch or so and then use a bench sander to shorten and square the ends? Sorry for so many comments... You guys are a hoot!
Hey guys, love the build. Simple, thorough, and effective. I did not hear it in the video but would this antenna be horizontally or vertically polarized? Thank you guys again for your hard work teaching less experienced hams like me. 73
For the notch in the wire support you might use a "Mill bit" which is made to cut from the side. They come in 2,3 and 4 flute styles. They're cheap on bay from China (where else?) I use them for cut out's for meter faces, etc on plastic project boxes. Jeff KJ4RWH
Is that rg 6 your using ? And is that shield aluminum ? I'm wondering if you reach up and touch the coax jacket would it affect the swr ? In another word that loop antenna Is balanced the coax is not so when you point the antenna at someone to talk do you have to point off a little to get maximum signal ? If so you have common node current on the coax and need to separate the feed line from the resonate loop . The coax regardless if it's 50 ohm or 75 ohm can do good just pay attention to the loss . If you are using copper shield coax the a sleeve choke can stop common node current and make a hudge difference in directivity the antenna . I have built a out 30 of the quad 4 sided antennas and they work great , there the best to remove noise and if you want some eme action then add the yagi directors to it for some killer performance. You guys are doing great keep up with the diy . Kc5ulu
*MUY BUENA,Y BELLA ,ADEMAS DE EFICAZ ANTENA AMIGO!!!!* Pero,entiendo que en EEUU,suelen ocurrir vientos muy fuertes.Mi pregunta es,soportara dicha antena esos vientos,ademas de las aves de gran porte en la zona,cuando se posen sobre el alambre de ella???Cordial saludo amigo!! FELICITACIONES !! 73DXS!
Can't believe that guinea hen at 27:53 , Morse code it would be a, a ,a a,a a a a a and pretty loud too . Funny. That extra little bit of parallel coax at 25:28 to match the natural higher impudence of a loop a the director coupling ? N6GRG
Nice work. Why is that 2" of unshielded coax important? Is it for tuning or was that a joke? lol Could you guys get this guy on the channel (De Bohannan) so we can see his stuff! Thanks
Appreciate the video guys. Did any of you happen to notice or perhaps model what Front to Back ratio is on either the 5 or 7 element by chance? Thanks in advance. W7WX
+IBTJn The seven is pretty amazing - depending on mounted height and etc. I can't hear a 65 watt mobile 3 miles away off the back side on the 7,. Some repeaters make it in, varies. Its pretty much a laser beam on receive. 73
They don't know if they're washing or hanging out. First it's the reflector then it's the director they don't know what they're doing and they don't make their changes and Corrections in the video Until I've already done it the wrong way. Why didn't you just start over and do it right from the beginning?
Any way to add more directors to add gain and distance? If so, there is a project. I need to hit a 2 meter repeater about 100 miles away, The path is from Panama City Fl to Tallahassee Fla.
I'm in Arkansas too, I hope to get my license soon, I'd just have to get some equipment. one of my jobs is working on the HF radio's for the Arkansas national guard I hope to become an expert at it someday.
isnt it directional? can I get just the dimensions of the loops and the details of the feed and director tuning. Im a welder and will make mine with stainless and fiberglass. Thanks, Craig KD9UQE
Can you use it for ISS contact? Just curious. Im new to HAM. Got my first radio in April....got my Tech License early June....passed the General two weeks ago....taking Extra exam next weekend. Loving this hobby. 73.....KI5JHX
While that worked, just an observation. Drill bit flutes are not designed to cut, they are there to clear chips from the hole. The only cutting surface is on the very tip. It would be a lot easier if you were to use a bit designed for cutting sideways, like a Roto-Zip bit.
Good night. I find it interesting the design of its antenna. I'm a ham radio and I wonder if there is a pdf file with the data to make the antenna and if possible you can send it to me. From already, thank you very much.
Can I offer a suggestion on the tool to use for cutting the slot in the tube end. I worked as a tool sharpener (cutter grinder) the last nine years before I retired, with that said, my suggestion would be to get a 2 flute end mill, yes it will be more expensive than the drills you already have but it was manufactured to be used in a side cut, where the drills weren't. Just thinking of the safety you guys were talking about. :)
I know that this is meant for SW radio, however it would seem that it would work for hdtv signals as well, I am just asking for the sake of curiosity seeing the frequency ranges being 75Ohms - 350Mhz.
Just my 2 cents. Feel free to take it or leave it. The music is a big distraction. The other thing is the drawing could be redrawn flat to remove the parallax, and then the cut measurements could be put in the drawing. Other than that a funny and informative video. I wish I had a place to put up one of these.
+Steve Dickinson Yep, might take a friend to keep it pointed right. - Careful using high power into the antenna. Check gain formulas before juicing it, most of the time no more than 30 watts is ever needed for anything. Keep away from it when cranking it out, there are risks with high power and human tissue.
I just completed building the five element version of the Dream Beam antenna and got it up and on the air today. I must say, I am extremely impressed with how well this antenna works. I am hitting repeaters nearly 60 miles away with only 10 watts and the signal coming back is S5-S7 (no pre-amp). Initial testing of my dream beam, before raising it, showed SWR's at 1:1 on 146.520 and no higher than 1.4:1 across the entire 2 meter band. No post assembly tuning was necessary!
I did make one modification. Instead of connecting an entire 50, 75, or 100 foot length of coax to the feed point (once it's siliconed, it's pretty much permanent) I made a feed line. I used a piece of RG-8X, long enough to put in a few turns in for an RF choke, soldered on a PL-259 and attached a barrel connector. Now if you need to move the antenna for any reason, you won't have to disconnect a long length of coax from your radio, just disconnect from the barrel connector and off you go.
My dream beam is pictured on my QRZ page
Thanks Matt and Darron, you guys are a hoot to watch and the background music is awesome. 73 KV3S
Very cool! The proof is in the results. It's always satsifying when your antenna works the way it's supposed too when you get done building it. You guys got me wanting to build two now. One for 2 meters and another for 70cm. You guys had fun building it. Great video and thank you for all the little details that you included. Thank you for sharing your project!
It is 35 years since I last used an IFR1200 shown at the beginning. (I used to do installation of base-stations and repeaters for a living). It was an excellent piece of kit and I'd have one tomorrow if there was one I could afford one.
Hope you guys are still fun nine years later!😊
Nice touch with the camo tape. Not only looks cool, but will protect the pvc from UV light. One of my Home Depot antennas started breaking down after 4 years in the sun light.
Best 2m design out there. I use the 5L version, my buddy uses a 7L version. We talk simplex (over 17 miles) regularly at half a watt. My antenna is at 33 feet. His is at 24 feet. He can use his VX-8DR to talk to me on 50 milliwatts! Unfortunately half a watt is as low as I can go. The only downside to this antenna is weight. This things are absolute pigs lol. We have redesigned them using fiberglass booms and spreaders with aluminum directors and reflector. 4lbs for the 7L version. Right around 3lbs for the 5L. I can hit repeaters at 80 miles day or night. There is a fairly tall repeater at over 100 miles that I get into on a regular basis. LOVE this antenna. I may have to try an 8 element version...12 ft boom and an estimated 16.2dBd gain! The only people that say that this design isn't worth the effort are the people who haven't used one. Great job, fellas!
That is somewhat of a contradictory statement. If that were true, you could take a 7 element Yagi and remove D1, D2, D3, and D4, but leave D5, and it would be the same boom length but it would NOT have the same gain. The elements are necessary every 0.15 to 0.25 wavelength for several reasons. If they were not significant, then you would see people with long booms with very few elements.
Half a watt is as low as you can go? There are several ways to get that lower. One of the ways I use is dump some of that power into a dummy load. That is, connect both your antenna AND a dummy load at the same time (using a power divider or a custom made "phasing" harness). There are also attenuators that should handle 1/2 watt in. A 6dB attenuator would make that 1/8th of a watt (about 125 mW).
I doubt an 8 element antenna of this type will be 16.2 dBd. More likely it will be closer to 16.2 dBi which is about 14 dBd. If you already have a 5 element, why not make an identical one and stack them vertically? That should squash the radiation down closer to the horizon and may add about 2 to 2.5 dB of maximum gain.
I utilize two meters for the national calling frequency 146.520 Mhz and sky warn when ever severe weather threatens my home town of Kokomo which inside Howard County in north central Indiana upon reviewing this video of Don's antenna I think he did a great job of producing that antenna.
+Tony Ridlen Thanks very much. It is a proven design. I have made a lot and I get a lot of emails with successful results. The only time people have issues is when they stray from the path. Try it before you redesign it. You won't be disappointed. It beats the pants off any single antenna system. 73s
Great project idea as soon as I get my technician and then general license!!
+Gene Harmon Awesome, get to studying. It is a great hobby! 73
Awesome video thank you. Putting up my homebuilt 11 meter experiment quad today and wasn’t 100% on how to wire in the coaxial feed into the driver. This is the first video I saw that showed that part which is very important. I appreciate it thank you very much for sharing.
Excellent advice about personal protection! You can't replace your eyes. I would also suggest gloves while running the drill. I had a bit break once and put a nice slice across the back of my hand as it cartwheeled away.
Hi Don, Came across this antenna of yours a couple of weeks ago and set to and built one over the weekend , I only had some PVC & some 20mil fiberglass tubing I used for the spreaders and made the boom out of some 2x2 wood that I have dressed up. I then made up the copper loops with the #8 wire but I brazed them together except the Dir element made as per instructions.
Ive set it up on an 9 foot pole at the moment but intend to put it up on a 10 mtr aluminum pole so I can rotate to any position. But even at 9ft I am blowing my mates out of their shacks, it's amasing, SWR is 1.02 to 1.04 over the range of frequencies that I use.My frequency range from 146525 to 146900 so am very happy with this design. regards Lance Smith ZL2ALS
Looks like you guys had a lot of fun putting this together. Good stuff and thanks for sharing! 73
I love using PVC for projects but when using white PVC outdoors be aware that UV from the sun really weakens it over time. I have seen it become like egg shell. There is gray PVC pipe used for outdoor wiring and it has good UV protection built in. If not then get a good spray pain to coat the PVC pipe once it is assembled. Antennas are one of the things us hams can build and they are fun. All the best.
New ham here, been looking for an epic antenna to run an HT off of. I think I just found it!
My father and I shall have a blast making this
How did it go? N2NM
@@maxthedog6919 ended up getting general and going hog with HF. 🤣
All your videos are worth watching for the music alone!
i just finished my 2 meter the evening before i got my general upgrade. whats nice about it is that with the mast unscrewed it slides right into the back seat of my 2010 crown vic police panther. its 5 14 2020 and theres supposed to be a vhf contest this weekend. couple hours and up to the top of the mountain i go. im running a ft 991at 50 watts, but my QYT 980 plus does all of 75 watts. comparrison time. lol only thing i changed on build was i used 1/8th inch copper tubing sleaves and soldered all but the driven. using a mfj921 tuner just to dial her in till i can get a analyser on it thanks for the build guys . Next up is a 3 rectangle moxon build. did a single for 6 meters and so impressed. very simple build and very light with exremely good gain . give it a try if ya get bored. thanks again . k2gfi,73
Dang it - now I gotta try it , thumbs up 73 !!!
You guys have moxi. Great work there ! Subbed and many thanks.
nice! good job guys!
73 from the home of the rock n roll hall of fame
Like the Hornady hat.
Long time in the making of this antenna. Sure glad you posted this update.
there you go !!! ....saw the first video , i bought the pvc and still have it , now that im retired ill build this " improved version " ....have a second tower i want to put up for satelitte work ! thanks for upload and ill be sure to wear saftey glasses to eliminate and cuts or bruses ......ill let you know in few days how this works for me ......de N5OMV .....ODESSA TEXAS !!!!
Awesome vids!
This will be 18' up in my attic. Not the 40 you recommend. But I can reliably hit repeaters at 65 miles with my N9TAX antenna at the same height with 65 watts from a TM-281A. I can occasionally hit a repeater at 137 miles with some atmospheric help. Simplex @ 20 miles is no problem at all (Haven't tried any further than that). I live in Oklahoma so it's pretty flat out here :) Hoping the 5 element dream beam will extend my tx/rx distances even further. Cost will be lower since I won't be using end caps or glue/sealant, though a cheap $100 rotator will be needed.
Love following you guys.
Don, you and you friend had make a great job with that antenna, I will try to biuld it one day.
Greatings from the CE zone.
73´s
XQ6WBM
For the reflector loop and director loops solder or braze the ends together and use slots at both ends. It will save you the weight of all the bolts nuts and washers for connecting the ends of the loops. Buy doing it this way you can form the loops on a work bench before inserting them in the end slots and adding the end caps.
Uau,um verdadeiro canhão da simples e de baixo custo , ótimo projeto .
Newbee to Ham but knowing something about pipe. You ought to try locating some schedule 80 fittings in key locations like the T that holds the entire Antenna to the mast. Schedule 80 is much thicker and is also much more resistant to decay in sunlight. Regular PVC becomes brittle when left in the sunlight. Schedule 80 does not. Also the fittings you are using to cover the ends of the loops electro-mechanical connections are called couplings. I just say this so it's easier for someone to locate the parts, not to be a prick. Thanks for the video. Its this kind of tinkering that I find interesting about the hobby. Perhaps one day my roof will sport some interesting roof art.
One day I hope I can learn to make a really good FM antenna. I get horrible FM stereo reception out here in the boonies.
9999plato
You guy's are great, Great presentation, knowledge, and sense of humor, keep up the good work. 73's KC5OPH
thank you very much sir. 73
Adnan Aqil they are not using it for radio?
For the notch in the ends of the PVC, use a drill press drill a hole and at the bandsaw cut from the end of the pvc pipe into the drilled hole making a slot. This is faster and maybe cleaner that chipping away with a drill bit as if it were an endmill. Another method could be using a router table with the slowest speed setting and then just slot it.
Here is a Danny Hodges the UHF TV antenna builder guy tip for you for straightening wire. Chuck up one end of your wire into a drill and the other in a vise and run the drill a few revolutions and it will get all the crooks out of your wire.
Nice project and it looks incredible! Thanks for putting up this video guys.
@35:28 Rigidididitty is so important : )
The beam survives a major storm that killed 3 other antennas. visit seekstars.com/searcy/storm/
Interesting antenna, looks like a decent loop antenna, seems I will be building one of these soon when the weather gets better here.
Cheers Eddie VK6YA
+BeachSandInspector Technologies Thanks a lot. You will have success! 73s
looking at this antenna, you mention that you can rotate it vertical or horizontal for FM or SSB .. but .. the elements are loops ,, Not a conventional yagi configuration of rods and dipole ...so i doubt this antenna has any polarity ..
+rob b Its unclear when you think about the full wave. Not having any? I dunno about that for sure. It works great regardless. 73s
one word fantastic and thanks for showing this
Well done gentlemen! Digital Camo is Icing on the Cake! Much Respect!!!
At 6:29, them PVC cutters are sexier than socks on a rooster. Nice!
Great design! I will be building the 7 element version next week and mounting it near the top of a 60' pole. 73 de KD8TQT
+Andy Homrich Awesome, you wil love it. Visit the site mentioned for current plans and etc. Keep us informed.. 73
Awesome 😎 Videoclip & Thanks for Sharing!
Excellent job, nice antenna, thanks for the video!
You are most welcome. We enjoy what we do. Keep safe, 73
You two guys are a hoot.
Good job, thanks.
I love how he puts on his safety glasses to use the antenna analyzer. Nice looking project. Could you put a 440mhz antenna nested inside that one?
Lewis Burmeister passive coupling onto the 2m antenna might make it difficult.
Too many post to find if this has been asked... Why not crimp and solder the wire loops ends together (except for the driven element, obviously) rather than drill holes and use the screws?
Also...how about using this concept like a Quagi, using 2 loops, but yagi type directors for the rest?
Just a follow up seeing how I have not heard from you so I have put in the following Standard wire gauge ( UK) SWG # 8 = 4.1mm or 0.160” conversion is 8.6 metres per kg
American Wire gauge ( USA) AWG # 8 = 3.2mm or 0.125” conversion is 13.5 metres per kg
Great video guys! just printed the plans and will be building my own soon. 73! KM4DOQ
+Blair H. You will not regret..... 73s! ty
Man if I ever get out to Arkansas I def want to hang with youz guyz
Good antenna! The music covers up your talking. And is only good for people that like that type of noise
Nice Hornady hat!
I think I may make this antenna, too. Nice video. - WU2F
Great video! Thanks.
beautiful job guys!
I built this and have the Swr down to 1.12 @146MHz everything is as straight as I can get it but I’m not hitting anything new? Everything I can hit with the beam plugged into the HT I can hit with the HT w/ the abree antenna? Am I doing something wrong I had really high hopes of hitting something new.
Have you guys considered making a 5 element 2m antenna with a 70 cm antenna on the front for satellite communications? I think there are some possibilities for that.
Maybe cut the pipe just a BIT longer 1/16 inch or so and then use a bench sander to shorten and square the ends? Sorry for so many comments... You guys are a hoot!
Hey guys, love the build. Simple, thorough, and effective. I did not hear it in the video but would this antenna be horizontally or vertically polarized? Thank you guys again for your hard work teaching less experienced hams like me.
73
Will try out your design aboard the K3SAV shack. Would be interested in a 220 version if possible. Thanks for the great video
+Taraxicum Officinale Thanks very much! 73
Anyone that wears a Hornady hat while building anything has my thumbs up!
1crazynordlander and a Jeep hat after!
Im gonna try the 7l design to see how it works for me. Thank you for sharing. 73 de KM4DME.
For the notch in the wire support you might use a "Mill bit" which is made to cut from the side. They come in 2,3 and 4 flute styles. They're cheap on bay from China (where else?) I use them for cut out's for meter faces, etc on plastic project boxes. Jeff KJ4RWH
Fine job fellas
the cross pipes; make them longer so you can slip the cap on. then mark the proper length.
Cool video fellas, nice job.
Is that rg 6 your using ? And is that shield aluminum ? I'm wondering if you reach up and touch the coax jacket would it affect the swr ? In another word that loop antenna Is balanced the coax is not so when you point the antenna at someone to talk do you have to point off a little to get maximum signal ? If so you have common node current on the coax and need to separate the feed line from the resonate loop . The coax regardless if it's 50 ohm or 75 ohm can do good just pay attention to the loss . If you are using copper shield coax the a sleeve choke can stop common node current and make a hudge difference in directivity the antenna . I have built a out 30 of the quad 4 sided antennas and they work great , there the best to remove noise and if you want some eme action then add the yagi directors to it for some killer performance. You guys are doing great keep up with the diy . Kc5ulu
*MUY BUENA,Y BELLA ,ADEMAS DE EFICAZ ANTENA AMIGO!!!!*
Pero,entiendo que en EEUU,suelen ocurrir vientos muy fuertes.Mi pregunta es,soportara dicha antena esos vientos,ademas de las aves de gran porte en la zona,cuando se posen sobre el alambre de ella???Cordial saludo amigo!! FELICITACIONES !! 73DXS!
Can't believe that guinea hen at 27:53 , Morse code it would be a, a ,a a,a a a a a and pretty loud too . Funny. That extra little bit of parallel coax at 25:28 to match the natural higher impudence of a loop a the director coupling ? N6GRG
Nice work. Why is that 2" of unshielded coax important? Is it for tuning or was that a joke? lol
Could you guys get this guy on the channel (De Bohannan) so we can see his stuff! Thanks
Was that a low battery warning near the end or a guinea?
Killer antenna!
that's awesome
ya lo encontré! mil gracias!
I WOULD LIKE TO SEE BEFORE AND AFTER T.V. CHANNELS THEY ACTUALLY PICK UP
tv lolllll
Have y’all thought about using 1/4” copper tubing to widen the bandwidth? What are your thoughts on using 1/4” copper tubing?
Appreciate the video guys. Did any of you happen to notice or perhaps model what Front to Back ratio is on either the 5 or 7 element by chance? Thanks in advance. W7WX
+IBTJn The seven is pretty amazing - depending on mounted height and etc. I can't hear a 65 watt mobile 3 miles away off the back side on the 7,. Some repeaters make it in, varies. Its pretty much a laser beam on receive. 73
self leveling two part epoxy inside the plastic tube would make it really strong
Damn good music !
They don't know if they're washing or hanging out. First it's the reflector then it's the director they don't know what they're doing and they don't make their changes and Corrections in the video Until I've already done it the wrong way. Why didn't you just start over and do it right from the beginning?
Any way to add more directors to add gain and distance? If so, there is a project. I need to hit a 2 meter repeater about 100 miles away, The path is from Panama City Fl to Tallahassee Fla.
I'm in Arkansas too, I hope to get my license soon, I'd just have to get some equipment. one of my jobs is working on the HF radio's for the Arkansas national guard I hope to become an expert at it someday.
+teknowil Great deal, don't wait. So much to do in Ham radio.. Goodluck and 73
ThePress Man Did you ever get your license?
Good job guys, I liked watching your video W7DSE
+Guy McNeill Thanks very much, our pleasure. Lots of fun! 73s
i would like to see a 70c version of this. or if possible make 70c in between the elements to make a dual band
Visit the mentioned website in the description. The 70 cm is shown and discussed. 73
isnt it directional? can I get just the dimensions of the loops and the details of the feed and director tuning. Im a welder and will make mine with stainless and fiberglass.
Thanks, Craig KD9UQE
will the wind blow it around bend the copper
So if you hooked a one watt radio up to here the ERP power would be somewhere in the ballpark of 45watts? Oh the glorious Tx AND Rx strength!
HELLO! CAN YOU GIVE THE COMPLETE DIAGHRAM AND EXACT MEASUREMENT OF YOUR PROJECT ANTENNA, THANKS A LOT.
Very nice.
+Arunas Paulionis ty 73s
The measurements seem very close to a multi element Delta. 73 KD5KZL
Great video as always love the update as well as the 7 element! Thank you 73 KJ6IHZ
+Myles Siglin Our pleasure, thanks for watching and taking time to comment. We are grateful. 73s
Cool stuff think I’m gonna try building one tnx 73 de ve3hip
Can you use it for ISS contact? Just curious. Im new to HAM. Got my first radio in April....got my Tech License early June....passed the General two weeks ago....taking Extra exam next weekend. Loving this hobby.
73.....KI5JHX
While that worked, just an observation. Drill bit flutes are not designed to cut, they are there to clear chips from the hole. The only cutting surface is on the very tip. It would be a lot easier if you were to use a bit designed for cutting sideways, like a Roto-Zip bit.
good video
Great job.....tnx
Good night. I find it interesting the design of its antenna.
I'm a ham radio and I wonder if there is a pdf file with the data to make the antenna and if possible you can send it to me.
From already, thank you very much.
muito bom, parabens
Can I offer a suggestion on the tool to use for cutting the slot in the tube end. I worked as a tool sharpener (cutter grinder) the last nine years before I retired, with that said, my suggestion would be to get a 2 flute end mill, yes it will be more expensive than the drills you already have but it was manufactured to be used in a side cut, where the drills weren't. Just thinking of the safety you guys were talking about. :)
+n8pu Its what you have to work with. Lots of tools could be used. Keeping it tight is a good idea. 73s ty
Guessing the EXTREEME part would be the Wind load which must be very bad? I'll stick with my CUBEX Scorpion II 8 element quad here. LOL
can i do this for 10-12 meter by increasing all measurements multiplied by 5 to 5.5
yes l second that:::?
I know that this is meant for SW radio, however it would seem that it would work for hdtv signals as well, I am just asking for the sake of curiosity seeing the frequency ranges being 75Ohms - 350Mhz.
+wrksnfx No telling. Worth checking out.
Just my 2 cents. Feel free to take it or leave it. The music is a big distraction. The other thing is the drawing could be redrawn flat to remove the parallax, and then the cut measurements could be put in the drawing. Other than that a funny and informative video. I wish I had a place to put up one of these.
A nice weekend project while it rains! So, the 7el version works on 70cm? How's the SWR, do you have a plot?
This looks a great antenna project guys. I wonder if it would be good if held in the hand and used for contacting satellites/space station? 73's M6PTS
+Steve Dickinson Yep, might take a friend to keep it pointed right. - Careful using high power into the antenna. Check gain formulas before juicing it, most of the time no more than 30 watts is ever needed for anything. Keep away from it when cranking it out, there are risks with high power and human tissue.