Need help with Ed Fong antenna

[Blackswan73]

I received my antenna today. Not what I had expected. No illustrations, or how to. Just says to put it in a 3/4" 200psi PVC pipe. How?? Do I just carefully straighten it and slide it in? Should I encase it in pipe foam like I read somewhere? What keeps it straight? Is the read wire part of the antenna, or to use to suspend it? Any help would be appreciated
Thank you

 

[k6cpo]

I did a Google search for "Ed Fong antenna" and found a wealth of information.

https://www.google.com/search?q=Ed+Fong+antenna&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8

 

[Blackswan73]

Thank you,
I have read most of the stuff online, including the original QST article. But most of what I have read gives little details about putting the antenna in the pipe. I did read in one place where a person said to wrap the entire antenna in foam pipe insulation before inserting it into the PVC to keep it straight and centered. But on other locations, it seems that whether it is centered in the PVC or not isn't an issue. I reckon I will try to straighten it out the best I can,(not easy. Since it was shipped in a large freezer bag.), and slide it in, seal it up. And see how it works. Since all the RadioShack stores in my area is closed. I had to order my PL259s on eBay. Should arrive in the morning, so the antenna will probably go up Sat. I will let you all know how it works out.
T

 

[K7MEM]

Thank you,
I have read most of the stuff online, including the original QST article. But most of what I have read gives little details about putting the antenna in the pipe. I did read in one place where a person said to wrap the entire antenna in foam pipe insulation before inserting it into the PVC to keep it straight and centered. But on other locations, it seems that whether it is centered in the PVC or not isn't an issue. I reckon I will try to straighten it out the best I can,(not easy. Since it was shipped in a large freezer bag.), and slide it in, seal it up. And see how it works. Since all the RadioShack stores in my area is closed. I had to order my PL259s on eBay. Should arrive in the morning, so the antenna will probably go up Sat. I will let you all know how it works out.
T

To me, the QST article seem to have enough information to get the job done.

Under the Construction Details section, Edison Fong, WB6IQN states that if your antenna is using a larger coax than specified, for the upper part, it may require some internal support. Larger coax would make the upper part too heavy. But I would expect that a purchased antenna would be using the correct size coax (RG-174) and there won't be a problem.

Yes, you should straighten out the 300 Ohm Twin Lead. Twin Lead is pretty stiff stuff. So the same stiffness that keeps it coiled will also help keep it vertical inside the pipe. Personally, I wouldn't use anything to support the Twin Lead in the pipe that you can't easily remove.

Twin Lead antennas are nothing new. They work well in a variety of configurations. In the early days of 2 Meters (1965-1966), I made a folded dipole from 300 Ohm Twin Lead and coax was hard to come by. I only had about 10 feet of RG-58 available. But I put together the antenna and taped the antenna to the wall, about 6 feet above my transceiver. I had a great time and tons of contacts. So, don't try to over think this antenna.

Martin - K7MEM

 

[Blackswan73]

I had originally planned to build it from scratch, but around here 300 ohm twinlead is about as easy to find as a male calico cat. Any way, his students gets the money. So that's cool. Thanks. I should have this set up in time for net check in on Sun eve.

 

[cmdrwill]

Some use fishing line tied on the top of the antenna to hold it up in the plastic 'pipe'. Fold the fishing line over the top of the pipe and put the cap on. That holds the antenna up.

BTW some use a clamp on ferrite choke on the coax below the bottom of the antenna inside the pipe. Cuts down the radiation down the coax cable.

 

[rapidcharger]

I have a couple of these.
Cut the pipe to the prescribed length.
Unroll the guts of the antenna.
Then just slide the ladder line into the pipe.
Place the end cap on and ...Voila!
Enjoy!.

Never had a need to anchor the top in the pipe. No need for foam. It just stays put on its own.

 

[Blackswan73]

Well, that didn't go well. Purchased the pipe, slid the antenna inside, and glued the caps. BIG MISTAKE! I headed up on my roof, not the best idea when you are nearly 65, and proceeded to install my new antenna. When I got up there I started to connect my coax to the antenna. Only problem with that was my coax hasn't been connected to anything since I took my Bandit down over twenty years ago. Well to make a long story short, the coax connector was corroded a bit. I cleaned it up a little and started to thread it on my antenna. It didn't thread smoothly, so I started to take it off and broke the SO-239 on the antenna loose. Using pliers, I finally got it disconnected, and returned to Mother Earth. I couldn't remove the cap to fix the antenna because I glued it so well. I had to cut the cap off with a saw. Now I have to get new pipe, caps and a new SO-239. Not a good day!

 

[Aero125]

Our group has bought and used many Ed Fong antennas, both the 'roll up' and assemble yourself in the PVC version. Notes to pass on: You must use schedule 200 PVC pipe as the antenna is tuned and designed to be encased in that thickness of pipe. There is no need to run fish wire or any other method to hold the antenna in place within the PVC, it isn't going anywhere or dropping down inside. There is no need to glue the caps on the PVC pipe, maybe put some rubber sealant around the cap if its going to be setup outside permanently (the sealant can be scraped away if the caps need to be pulled off).

We have tested the different types of his antennas on the analyzer and are impressed with the results. The roll up in the ziplock baggie is a must for any go bag!

 

[k6cpo]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=no0fEE_zMpM

 

[Blackswan73]

Well I emailed Mr. Fong to ask him if the antenna chararistics of the antenna would change much if I stripped the center conductor on the RG-174 feed to attach it to another cap. He wanted my phone number, so I gave it to him. He called and insisted I send the antenna back for repair or replacement, since it had a lifetime guarantee. I told him I would not return the antenna, since I didn't think he should be responsible for an antenna that I tore up. Then he wanted to send me a new end cap with a SO-239 installed. Again I refused . I told him I would either repair this antenna, or purchase a new one. He told me if I changed my mind, to go ahead and return it. I was very impressed with his commitment to customer satisfaction. I highly recommed his products. I have ordered a new connector and new caps. Today I went back to Lowes and bought another pipe. When everything gets here, I will try again. If you build one of these folks, absolutely do not glue the caps!!!

 

[rapidcharger]

That's Ed! Now if only he'd take over customer service for Comcast/Xfinity.
This time don't glue it.

 

[Jaxco]

Ed is a stand-up guy and makes idiot-proof antennas. Make sure to only use the thin wall pvc pipe. Those caps should not require any sealant or glue because they aren't under any pressure.

73

 

[Blackswan73]

I got it all back together, and it is working just fine. Haven't is d it on 440, yet, but on 2m it is no higher than 1.2 vswr across the band. Very satisfied with it.