darticus
Member
Thinking that a Beam and a rotor might be the ticket to get me out a little further. Could use some help in deciding what would do the trick. At present using a RS discone. Ron
Small beam suggestion wanted
- Thread starter darticus
- Start date
- Status
ermin
Member
Hello Ron
Depending on how far you want and what bands you are using you might just want a omni antenna with some gain for whatever band(s) you use. I made a 3 element 2m beam and had it in my attic and I could work repeaters over 20 miles away with just 1.5 watts. If you want 2m & 70cm there are several dual band beams out there.
If you have access to the material and handy with tools make what you need. Plenty of plans on the web.
73
Ermin
hockeyshrink
Member
- Joined
- Jul 13, 2009
- Messages
- 265
Hi Ron,
Are you only on 70cm (UHF)? I use one of these for GMRS, which is also UHF, and it works quite well.
Yagi Beam UHF Base Antenna..440 Mhz 70cm Ham & GMRS | eBay
Are you only on 70cm (UHF)? I use one of these for GMRS, which is also UHF, and it works quite well.
Yagi Beam UHF Base Antenna..440 Mhz 70cm Ham & GMRS | eBay
darticus
Member
I'm really new to this so I don't know what to even try to build. I do have 2m and 70cm. What you built might be a good project if I can find the materials locally. Do you know where the plans for the 3 element you built can be found? Maybe a dual plan might be good. Thanks Ron
kc5uta
Member
I have been very lucky with the ole J-pole. I routinely hit repeaters 30+ miles away on 2m and 440cm, (actual mileage may vary) I built an all copper "super J" about 6 years ago, that is still up, and working fine, if a bit blackened from copper oxidation of the elements and sun. If you use PVC and copper wire and a little ingenuity you can build a very effective antenna out of good ole household scrap romex, that would last for years. The J-pole (depending on who writes the article) will work anything from a mile to moon, if the author REALLY likes or hates the antenna. I have adapted my 65 ft tower to become a J pole on 20 meters. Works good. I had a "olivia" conversation (with only 5 watts), with a gentleman in Wisconsin. I live in South Texas. A discone is a good antenna, if you need an antenna with broadband use, such as being multi-banded, or using a videolynx for amateur TV on UHF, but they are not very good for distance. You have to sacrifice something to get something. By becoming so broadbanded the discone loses efficiency. In general there is no perfect antenna, but there is one that is perfect for the right situation.
AK4GA
Member
I think you would be better served with a real ham antenna. I always recommend the Diamond X50 in either UHF or N connector version.
darticus
Member
Do you know where I can find a plan for the one you like the best. Maybe I could build it. Thanks Ron
Just a few to get you started
https://www.hamcity.com/store/pc/home.asp
AARS Home Page - Icom, Kenwood & Yaesu
KJI Electronics, Inc: Amateur Radio Equipment
https://www.webtrix.net/shopcart/Advanced/
NJ Amateur Radio, Scanner Radios & CB Dealer - Advanced Specialties, Lodi NJ - Yaesu.
Ham Radio Outlet - World's Largest Supplier of Amateur Radio (Ham Radio) Equipment. Sales, Supplies, and Service.
https://www.hamcity.com/store/pc/home.asp
AARS Home Page - Icom, Kenwood & Yaesu
KJI Electronics, Inc: Amateur Radio Equipment
https://www.webtrix.net/shopcart/Advanced/
NJ Amateur Radio, Scanner Radios & CB Dealer - Advanced Specialties, Lodi NJ - Yaesu.
Ham Radio Outlet - World's Largest Supplier of Amateur Radio (Ham Radio) Equipment. Sales, Supplies, and Service.
kc5uta
Member
DX zone and ham universe J POLE ANTENNA DESIGN CALCULATOR by K4ABT is a good place to start
- Status
