Building a Quarter-Wave 6m Jungle Antenna.
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- Опубліковано 7 чер 2020
- Building and testing a quarter-wave ground plane jungle antenna. This is a simple antenna for CB, 10m and up. It is used hanging from a tree using three spreaders made of locally sourced material. It doesn't get much simpler than that!
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Super, j'adore vos vidéos, vous êtes un exemple..... Merci.....
So happy I found 'RADIO PREPPER', Finally answers to building smart, sensitive - real world antennas!! I'm subscribed and thanks!
That radio looks like an up armored speak and spell. Neat.
Gill, thanks for sharing the proven jungle antenna to bust through the canopy when on a LRRP mission to call in a evac. It has purpose today to work across the english channel. Use branches from fig trees, grape vines or bamboo.
Just calling it a Jungle Antenna makes it that much cooler! Great to hear you making 6M contacts on it. 👍
Hello Gil, I used the jungle antenna/field-expedient RC-292 a fair amount while serving in the US Army Infantry. We were able to extend the range of the AN/PRC 77 radio a good bit. I carried all the wire bits (made from WD-1 commo wire) rolled up in my trouser cargo pocket and would make the spreaders with sticks. It was a very useful bit of kit! 73 de KO4AYC
Thanks, sure is!
Hi Gil, Just wanted to thank you for your recent contribution on Callum' You Tube Crew. As someone returning to the hobby after a 30yr break like Ian, I find these crew videos both entertaining and informative. Like Matt I've got hold of a van which I'm going to turn into a "Ham Van" that is a day/overnight van so I can do some field work with a little comfort for my geriatric bones! I will go and like, message and subscribe to the other guys to help them on their You Tube stats.
Thanks. I got a boat, so will be operating maritime mobile soon!
Gil, fibreglass tent poles would work for the spreaders and would allow the whole to collapse down to 1/2 or 1/3 or 1/4 the length of an individual spreader depending how many section breaks you used per spreader (allowing for much longer wavelengths).
Definitely, I just didn't have any at hand. Also those sticks they use in flower pots...
Awesome video Gil. So glad there was no major misshapes. Great looking radio. First time I saw that one. Bridgecom has finally sent me my HT and should be here in a few days. 73's Clark KG7LOI.
Gil, what I find interesting is... sin(45) =0.707
0.707 x 72 ohm (dipole) = 50 something (groundplane)
Nice idea. One improvement: don't glue both sides of the aluminum joints. Glue one side so you can slip it on/off for smaller collapse and easier transport.
Thank you Gil for putting out so many fine vids. You teach very well and it is appreciated.
Thank you!
Thanks for all of the great videos!
This is so cool. I'm going to build one now. Our local em comm group has been adding 6m FM capability.
Fantastic video Gil, I really wish people used 6M FM more. We have 4M in the UK and it does get quite a bit of use.
More than it use to yes but still not enough in my area. 6m FM is never used here but even AM is a great mode also
The past 8 weeks or so 6m as been wide open with 59 plus signals from dusk to dawn. Iv also been monitoring 4m with the odd beacon and plus 9 data noise that I don't use or have a decoder.
AM is great. My favorite is the Gonset Communicator III on 6m AM.. Never made a single contact with one, LOL.
Never heard of 4 meters till now.
Exellent build Gil, I'm sure you could look this up but for people on this channel here is the USA calling frequencies for 2meter and 70 centimeters.
146.52 FM is the US National Simplex Calling Frequency for 2 meters, and 446.000 Mhz is the UHF FM US National Simplex Calling Frequency (144.200/432.100) are for SSB.
Had a play during the big COVID lock down working some locals on 6m FM simplex. Never used that band before and propagates nicely where 2m can be unreliable. Used simple vertical dipole made from some scrap coax. Thanks for the video. Depths of winter her in VK land so 6M DX is not a thing for a while yet. 73's.
Another great Creation Gil ! Keep up the good work! Good job with the glue! Hard not getting that stuff all over yourself.
Very cool ! I use these all the time. I have made them of stainless steel bicycle cable to great effect and the drape of the cable really is effective without the necessity of spreaders. It is hard to beat a quarter wave ground plane - broad banded and simple to construct and tune. Like you mentioned the downtilt isn't optimal but it is flat in Florida :) Thanks for sharing !
simplex calling freq are also used as a EMCOM freq in Poland. So almost all the time someone is listening on 145.500 and 433.500 just call CQ :)
1. I can see that the quarantine is starting to get to you - my condolences :-) 2. I am going to the garage and am going to make my 6m Jungle antenna - right now! Thank you . Be well friend across the sea.
Cabin fever!
Thank you for one more educative and entertaining video, personally, I use the 1/4 wave GP. on VHF as mine everyday antenna and works like a dream, I need to try the 6m band never really was monitoring or making any attempt to make QSO,
Merci beaucoup 73,s de M7SZY
Loved it. Thank you !
Nice antenna. I've seen a similar antenna at N6CC's brilliant homepage for stealth and covert antennas. Keep up the good work, Gil 👍
Look in the description...
Great Video! Well done, Mr. Epoxy😉!
73!
Great idea for the grounding wires :-)
Tres bien Gil, the 6m season has started. I'll be building a 6m oblong antenna soon, maybe I'll catch you on the air. 73s LB5SH
I don't know why people won't use FM on 6m more, I managed a QSO from Lincoln in the U.K to Western Sahara two weeks ago on SSB, the band was buzzing...... I then checked the FM portion, and zilch, nothing but silence! And yet 10m was open at the same time and there was avtivity on SSB, AM and FM. Very beautiful area for your portable ops Gil! M0KED.
Thanks, yes, regrettable...
Maybe if the 6m “parrot” repeater in Louth gets the OK, we’ll have more activity locally? Regards, Keith G0RQQ Lincoln
Good stuff Gil. Hey look into the "Hentenna" for your 6M outings. You will still need 3 spreaders but the antenna is taller and thinner. Actually goes up easy and gives you horizontal polarization when you hang it vertically. Gives you some gain perpendicular to the plane of the loop. Good luck and have fun. Tom - KB4PIX.
Thanks Tom!
Will you have one ready for Field Day? 😂 73 N4WLC Bill
That was meant for Tom! Great work Gil!
a group of friends in NSW have made 6m flowerpot antennas from VK2ZOI.
I have one for 2m, gets out alright for local stuff
It's on a spring base, may end up on the car yet
I did make a vertical for 6 Meters a few weeks ago and heard nothing on FM, but managed to have a nice QSo via a local repeater. I'll have to try it again at some point.
It should be 51.5. Most military radios can't go on 51.51.
Thank you for another educational video, Gil! Plenty of laughs as well =)
superbe la vidéo avec le quart d'onde pour le 6M 73 Gil
Gil! You’re a mad scientist! 😂🤪😂🤪 Enjoy your videos!
Really neat and well explained. 73
Thanks for this...and you survived the epoxy!
Gil FT8 seems to be the mode of choice on 6m now. I heard cw prop beacons last week on 6 and made some ssb qsos as well on ssb. I monitor 146.520 all the time here in case someone needs help and does not have the repeater frequencies stored. Cheers Fred VE3FAL
Yes, I have noticed that FT8 is very popular on 6m this year. Even when band condx are extremely good, I have heard few SSB stations and hardly any CW. I cannot say I have checked for FM. After watching Gil's video I must try. Some 6m FM DX would be interesting.
One thing that surprises me is that I do not hear much FT4 on 6m. Given the rapid QSB on 6m, I would have thought FT4 with its short tx time would be much more popular?
Merci pour le video Gil, trés clair, comme d’habitude! 73 de M0EUK
Love it Gil
73' Gil & bravo !
4meters is awesome-I wish they’d open it up for us.
Yes!
That was really cool. I thought that I was the only person who cut too much off the antenna!
I do it all too frequently...
73' s Gilles Thumbs up for sure have a good one ;)
Wait a minute. FM? Anyway, the reason for 6 meters for the military is for medium to short distance communications. 1523 models are FM as well.
I often put a few calls out on 51.510mhz Fm when ever the band is open Gil,
And often get replies from some distance. Conditions allowing,as with 70.450mhz Fm.
Excellent! You have been luckier than me :-)
“You never know when the epoxy is gonna hit the fan” 😂👏 Top line Gill made me chuckle. Looks a good build and a great project.
What sort of weight is that Racal? It looks a beefy bit of kit Gil??
Oh geez, I think around 22kg!
Or was it pounds? I can't remember, LOL. It's "I don't want to carry it" kind of heavy...
I checked it: 13.2kg.
Whoa that is a beast to carry, car portable however 👍
Really handy portable antenna! Thanks Gil 👍🏻 (ps. that’s a lot of glue you have 😮)
I'll be tempted to use a lot of it now ;-)
Parfait. 73s de W5ZM PASCAL ( THE WOODLANDS, TX)
I'm not even licensed yet but have some experience in CB. I have been thinking recently that people should be monitoring and that there should be emergency frequencies! This is totally important. Actually i thought that they existed! Well they should. Just like channel 9. Thanks for another engaging video!
There are such frequencies, otherwise the regular calling frequencies would apply.
@@RadioPrepper Oh. Silly me!
Few people know those frequencies exist, especially in Europe, like 14300...
@@RadioPrepper So I guess then there should be more discussion of them. I'll look them up. Thanx
Check out the channel 3 initiative...
Hahaha last time you used epoxy......ouch !!!
A while back, you built a 6M delta loop. Why not use that? You would only need 1 spreader hoisted in the air. Also, move the feed point and you would have vertical or horizontal polarization option for use over the whole band.
I built a delta for 6M from AWG #12 wire (not sure of the metric equivalent) several years ago and it is usable across the whole band (US 50MHz-54MHz).
I just wanted something more omnidirectional...
Hi, I agree on 2 meter band being under used,and there is dmr etc internet links, I think it,s more interesting with a lift in conditions. Don U.K.
Also known as the coat hanger ground plane. 72 de KB8AMZ
Great Vid. M0MSN
If I were to make the spreaders at 4 feet instead of 5 how much difference would it make? Using what I have. Great plan!
Your videos armcool. Your a thinker and the results are real life. To short, to long, always something right. Would a soldered short peice of copper and get you resonant where you wanted? Hello from Texas USA
Thanks, sure, easy to fix!
Did you know you can thin epoxy with rubbing alcohol (isopropranol)? Its also great for cleaning up before the epoxy sets!
Thanks. I have used acetone.. Thinning does reduce strength, but in this case it doesn't matter..
Gil, may i offer a tip? I use such terminals quite often, and when soldering i find it convenient to remove the plastic insulation. i.e. Terminals with rings have a small sleeve to crimp the wire. So if you used a bare (blue?) ring terminal to attach your driven wire, you would be able to solder the terminal right on the connector, without using a wire "bridge" to that effect.
Regards and thanks, greekman
Good tip!
You might want to try a vertical on the ground with a fiberglass pole. OR even an EFHV vertical on the ground. The angle of radiation is very low as far as I know. Of course for 50 MHz you'll need a different matching toroid to reduce losses. I'll be very interested to see that if you do it. I have a DX commander which does the first and if I can get a different toriod I'll have a go at doing a 6m EFHW too!
I will be testing a few soon...
Hi Gil ! Il y a quelques jours le 6 m FM était bien ouvert. 73 de F4DNP.
Zut raté!
Nice build. Great technique! :)
It looks a bit scary hanging on the pole, stressing it out. I broke mine recently so I have concerns regarding that.
Now question: Have you tried plain vertical dipole instead? It seems easier construction and should have lower takeoff angle. And much less stressful for the mast.
Only half-wave end-feds, much easier to feed the antenna at the bottom..
Thank you for interesting and nice presenting as always. Keep om doing this. In Sweden 4m is allowed for everyone as CB at 8 channels with 5W and 8 channels for 25W but only mobile, or at least one of the parts mobile. The same at UHF, 8channels at 2W (not PMR)
We do use simplex frequencies at VHF and UHF here but it is not so much calls at all.
73 de SA5GNO
That's great! I hope we get it here some day...
I really enjoyed this video. Very well produced in every way. Good photography, drawings, and explanations. Being Canadian, I could understand some of the French too. Some local operators and myself are interested in working 6m locally so I recently built a simple horizontal half wave dipole, cut for 50.8 MHz. I have not tested it yet, was hoping to do so today. Would this antenna work as well as the Jungle antenna? I suspect that it being horizontally polarized means it would have a lower radiation angle. Am I correct? This is important as its for local use (not DX) within 30km. Merci
Especially that being horizontal it is bi-directional so has some gain over a vertical. USB usually is horizontally polarized and FM vertically. You'll find more people using USB...
@@RadioPrepper Thank you.
135 degrees for the angle at 7:04, imho ;)
Could you rig a harness to hang the antenna upside down to get a better radiation angle? Another great vid. Mercí
Probably...
My brother in 1975 made a J pole for 11m band before we became Ham radio ops. it worked very fb with stronger signal than the "ringo" style verticals at those times. Would a 5/8th vertical work better I know they do on 2m might be a bit long for your pole but you can have more horizontal ground plain on a 5/8 th.
It certainly might..
Bonjour Gilles. Toujours de superbes vidéos. Dommage pour les nuls en anglais comme moi. Ma question est simple, ou trouve tu ce matériel que tu nous fait découvrir à chaque vidéo ?
Ebay la pluspart du temps!
Great video. Art K2ADC
I figured you would want to stay away from the epoxy for a while ;) Interesting build.
That stuff is like crack!
Radio Prepper Just made me laugh out loud. A good start to my morning. Thanks.
Great idea! I have fiberglass tent poles that would be great spreaders. They are heavier than thin plastic tubing, but still not too heavy. They have bungee shock cord inside (instead of paracord) and are only about 26-inches (66cm) when collapsed. I believe I got all my calculations correct. Three sections per side will make 78-inch (198cm) spreaders, which then provides a nice 40-degree (approximate) down angle on the radials. Using only two sections per spreader (52-inches/132cm) would be 33% lighter, but too large of an angle at about 59-degrees. I could probably cut the sections to make a perfect 45-degree angle, but risk splitting the fiberglass. Actually, just adding a short length of paracord from the radials to the corners of the spreaders would make the perfect 45-degree angle. Do you think aluminum tent poles for spreaders would interact too much? (amzn.com/B017QTYB8Y ) These pole collapse to about 16-inches (~41cm). Very nice size for backpacking. Thanks for the ideas!
Great thanks!
which model radio was that?? great video
Racal VRM-5080.
Dites quoi? At 5:54 you said "this is 1/4 wave long, I'm going to write so it's clear" but then you only wrote down "1/4"? Where's the λ symbol for "wave"?!😛
Hello, si l'angle est 30% vers le haut, est-il possible d'orienter la base du triangle vers le haut de manière à émettre 30% vers le bas depuis une montagne ?
Oui.
This would make vertical polarization? Unfortunately not allowed for 6m in DL. 73
Vertical yes.
shock cord,
Does this jungle antenna do a better job then your 6m ALU magnetic loop antenna? Just curious. 73's
PD0ONE
I'd have to compare them, no idea...
Gil, EVERY TIME you hold up one of your Mil-surplus radios two things for through my mind - Where did he get that REALLY nice bit of kit, and WHY can't we here in the US get gear like this, without paying way too much. I also have learned a lot from your simple antenna explanations, however, when you mention Epoxy, I laugh now - I'm a hot glue guy myself, and I see you're looking into it as well..
Well, you can get all that stuff on Ebay, but the shipping is the killer!
@@RadioPrepper That's the major hold up, I guess I'll just have to enjoy watching you use all the cool toys.
@@TheDgdimick We need Donald to bring in Free post between USA and Europe and maybe Boris over here in UK could do the same...then we could all trade surplus equipment at much more reasonable prices.
Gil, thanks for video. Is your channel being sponsored by an epoxy glue company? 😄. This is a good idea for a hoist up antenna. I did wonder if you could have glued only one end of the aluminium tube. This might have allowed the plastic pipe sections to broken into 2 parts for carrying? Thinking about how to improve low angle radiation - maybe convert the design into a 5/8 wave using same idea for radials. Another thought is maybe use a section of plastic pipe to make a lightweight 6m delta loop. Fed at one of the bottom corners, it should give good low angle radiation. Only problems with 5/8 or delta loop is that some matching will be required.
Yep, I did the delta loop, great antenna!
Gil, sorry, I did not realise you had already made a 6m delta loop. I found the video and watched it.
Has the manufacturer of your QRPVer Minion addressed the issues your were having with Stray RF currents? I assume you have not been using it for any more videos because of frustration with getting it to work properly. After watching you have these issues I have pretty much lost interest in it until he comes out with a revision. I will probably just wait on the 705 or another cool looking small rig comes out.
When I use a n Rf choke it works fine. Actually I tried with my mag loop and there was no issue without a choke. I will be using it for my upcoming boat trip... I also added clip-on ferrites on the microphone cable and on my Morse key...
Wow cool video und top liks 73 de DE2TRF
Bonjour Gilles, vous operée de quelle locateur svp, je fait le 6m depuis disont 20 ans, en BLU (ssb) et maintenent j'ai une transverteur 2m 4m
est-ce-que La france permet partout le 6m et 4m ? 73 de Patrick ON7ARQ
JN33NO, pas le 4m...
Sir, i have jungle antenna but i will use it in multi frequency VHF like from 30Mhz to 60Mhz randomly do i need a balun or an Unun? And what type balun or unun do you suggest sir. I hope u read this sir , from philppines here.. THANK YOU
Hi, this is not a broadband antenna, it works on one small frequency band. If you want something like that look at the Clansman ground spike antenna.
@@RadioPrepper sir i Diy ground plain like the one in your video sir the length of wire is quarter wave ÷ frequency i used in my channel. My question sir is what if i change my channel and frequency but my antenna i still the one i made do i need a balun for that sir?
No, a balun will not help.
@@RadioPrepper ah ok thank you sir
45°+90°=135°
ohhhhh, yes! jungle antenna! i got so excited i wet my pants!! this is like stuff from boy scouts!
How far was your Monaco contact? And the locals? Thanks
All around 20km.
have you considered a J pole made of 450ohm ribbon ??
I made a Slim Jim like that yes, should make a new one...
Grats for that new Antenna, Gil. Are you now a Bushmen? :D Best Greets from Germany! #Enjoythesummer
A wannabe bushman!
I have a buddy 24 miles from here. We can't make 6 meters work. I can hit him with 2 meters, but just barely. We have terrain in the way.
Surprising...
Like 1
I knew!!! I knew you will epoxy it :D :D :D you crack me up :D
I'm 44 and as children are almost in their lives I turned more to my interests and just did my amateur radio exam and I really want to sometime make a radio contact with you to thank you by voice for you being so humorous! I enjoy a lot!
P.S. with CW I am far worse than you with epoxy :D
Where are you located?
@@RadioPrepper YL3AMG, Riga, Latvia 😁
The national call frequency is 446.000 for FM. If your rig can do SSB the National call Frequency on 70 cm is 423.100. Here in the U.S., we also have state wide calling frequencies. I must admit, I don't have those memorized. I have made contacts on 146.520 and then we move to another simplex frequency (QSY) to rag chew. The only time I use the 440 band is at hamfest. I use it to communicate with my friends and we choice a simplex frequency before we split up. I just bought a tribander HT. so I can make some noise on 1.25 m band. I think 220 is under used here in the U.S. Do you use it in France or anywhere? 73 KE0OAP
220 is not allowed here :-(
Gil, It's been 3 weeks since your last video, which is unusual for you. Just want to make sure you're OK?
Yes thanks, I will publish one this wee-end, been very busy planning my boat trip..
You're crazy enough. Why don't you try the antenna upside down and see if the radiation pattern is any better for you.
Ha ha haaa
I don't think that you are a glue fanatic. I KNOW that you are! . . . or perhaps you own a lot of stock in an epoxy manufacturing company. 🤣
I wish! LOL.