Base Antenna Basics...

[707ways2Sunday]

I know that antennas can be designed to TRANSMIT directionally, but can an antenna be designed to RECEIVE directionally?

I appreciate all the input and ideas that have been shared here.

I've read several posts, in this thread and elsewhere, that allude to an antenna's effectiveness because it gets out well (i.e. this is my antenna and I can talk all over).

That's not the real target here.

There's a Toyota Tacoma parked out in the woods running a 60 watt PEP through a 7' Skipshooter...

That's the only signal I care to capture and I want to hear it at the theoretical limits.

Should I be considering a horizontal antenna?

Yes an antenna designed to transmit directionally will also receive better in that direction. Horizontal would not work for your signal of interest. He is transmitting vertically. You would need vertically polarized beam antenna. Such as a Yagi, etc

 

[prcguy]

I know that antennas can be designed to TRANSMIT directionally, but can an antenna be designed to RECEIVE directionally?

I appreciate all the input and ideas that have been shared here.

I've read several posts, in this thread and elsewhere, that allude to an antenna's effectiveness because it gets out well (i.e. this is my antenna and I can talk all over).

That's not the real target here.

There's a Toyota Tacoma parked out in the woods running a 60 watt PEP through a 7' Skipshooter...

That's the only signal I care to capture and I want to hear it at the theoretical limits.

Should I be considering a horizontal antenna?

Antennas are reciprocal on transmit and receive, whatever direction they do on transmit will be the same on receive. If the Tacoma scenario is local or somewhat line of sight you want to have the same antenna polarity which would be vertical in this case. If the Tacoma was 1200mi away then its a tossup if vertical or horizonal would be better, with some height discussions to go with that.

 

[slowmover]

Plenty of opinion on vertical.

RigPix Database - Antennas - Sirio 2008

Start somewhere with reviews.

Wind Load (storm damage) gets my attention.

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[707ways2Sunday]

Plenty of opinion on vertical.

RigPix Database - Antennas - Sirio 2008

Start somewhere with reviews.

Wind Load (storm damage) gets my attention.

.

My Sirio 2016 has been through some crazy winds. Direct hit from hurricane beryl. A hail storm that had to be the craziest weather I have ever seen. If it got damaged I can’t see it from the ground. My car 🚗 is another story.

 

[jcrmadden]

Yes an antenna designed to transmit directionally will also receive better in that direction. Horizontal would not work for your signal of interest. He is transmitting vertically. You would need vertically polarized beam antenna. Such as a Yagi, etc

So I'm assuming that even though the individual elements of a Yagi are horizontal, their configuration results in vertical polarization?

I looked at several yagi antennas and their modeled radiation patterns. The main lobe is always in one direction, but relatively broad, flat, and horizontal.

I'm also assuming that most of those models are created with theoretically perfect conditions in mind (free space?).

 

[prcguy]

So I'm assuming that even though the individual elements of a Yagi are horizontal, their configuration results in vertical polarization?

I looked at several yagi antennas and their modeled radiation patterns. The main lobe is always in one direction, but relatively broad, flat, and horizontal.

I'm also assuming that most of those models are created with theoretically perfect conditions in mind (free space?).

If you mount a Yagi with its elements oriented vertical it will have vertical polarization. Antennas are usually first modeled/analyzed in free space then takeoff angles due to height or mast interaction will be installation specific.

 

[jcrmadden]

Radiations Patterns – CB Antennas

Information Overload Anyone?

 

[prcguy]

Radiations Patterns – CB Antennas

Information Overload Anyone?

Its all normal stuff for antenna enthusiasts.

 

[jcrmadden]

As a budding antenna enthusiast I can attest that its a lot of information to digest in a single lunch break...

I think I'll take the rest of the day off and build an antenna.

 

[slowmover]

Keep Momma happy whether at home or on those camping trips.



H-D has the correct “antenna taps”.

Honey-Can-Do Traditional Wood Clothespins 96-Pack DRY-01389 - The Home Depot

Your mom had asked you where to buy clothespins like these it was Saturday afternoon and you stopped by with the kids while the two of you caught up over coffee and laundry talk. When you showed her this

www.homedepot.com

Well, okay, she might have to tote that laundry basket of wet garments up the hill . . .



. . but as a friend a friend to your family I offer a solution:



Several men of my acquaintance report they also find them useful.

.

 

[prcguy]

As a budding antenna enthusiast I can attest that its a lot of information to digest in a single lunch break...

I think I'll take the rest of the day off and build an antenna.

Not the right way to approach this. You need to quit your job and dedicate all of your time awake and asleep to learning and building antennas. You can't learn what you need to know with a job getting in the way. Unless you work at an antenna company of course.

 

[707ways2Sunday]

So I'm assuming that even though the individual elements of a Yagi are horizontal, their configuration results in vertical polarization?

I looked at several yagi antennas and their modeled radiation patterns. The main lobe is always in one direction, but relatively broad, flat, and horizontal.

I'm also assuming that most of those models are created with theoretically perfect conditions in mind (free space?).

2 element mounted vertically think it’s a Maco, and yes the listed specification probably are only achieved under ideal conditions

Even though I’ve built quite a few antennas I have never used a modeling program. It’s my understanding and software like. EZNEC You have a choice or choices like modeling, free space real world and more.

 

[707ways2Sunday]

As a budding antenna enthusiast I can attest that its a lot of information to digest in a single lunch break...

I think I'll take the rest of the day off and build an antenna

By no mean an expert here but when I first built a dipole and it performed incredibly well the only logical next step was to build a yagi!!! After all they are just a dipole with some parasitic elements. So that is what I did. At any rate I was rather successful. I didn’t use this model in this video but my bet this guy is right. Check it out.

 

[jcrmadden]

Unless you work at an antenna company of course.

This makes sense... Guess I need to start an antenna company.

@slowmover there's about to be a telescopic painter's pole and five gal bucket in the back of the yota...

That way I can deploy the collapsible "yota yagi" prototype when stationary...

If it works I'll name it after you lol

 

[niceguy71]

This makes sense... Guess I need to start an antenna company.

@slowmover there's about to be a telescopic painter's pole and five gal bucket in the back of the yota...

That way I can deploy the collapsible "yota yagi" prototype when stationary...

If it works I'll name it after you lol

that great QT60 of yours and that great mobile set-up should talk 30 plus miles local on side band???? have you tried to reach anyone??? I think you could put a better antenna on the Wifes vehicle and you two could reach each other if you tried.... if you both got your ham licenses you could use a ham frequency... that would be a much quieter channel / band and you would be able to communicate without even having to buy a Base Station.....
if you like radio like I do.... you'll want the base station anyway.

 

[K6GBW]

Join the antenna monks and reside in the “shack” where you spend all of your time studying antenna theory. The antenna nuns will cook your meals in a microwave that the monks build themselves.

 

[slowmover]

This makes sense... Guess I need to start an antenna company.

@slowmover there's about to be a telescopic painter's pole and five gal bucket in the back of the yota...

That way I can deploy the collapsible "yota yagi" prototype when stationary...

If it works I'll name it after you lol

The Boomerang A as shown in test linked appeared to do well. Very light in weight. My shorter version will fit where I can store it, including in truck (have to build a case for that).

He reports 50-miles SSB to a base at higher elevation and a “big” antenna. Given his low mount next building in condo courtyard I thought that okay. 8-miles to big truck on highway. That’s a Cobra 139 + W-M DSP outboard.

But if I got in a hurry it might not be durable. I’m not recommending anything, I just wanted low cost plus E-Z set-up & take-down. I’ve seen it as adjunct to having TT parked.

The pole itself may have other uses just as with pipe & bucket. Seems decent for price. Good basis with which to start.

.

 

[slowmover]

If you’re feeling bloated after dinner then head over to QRZ and type in, “Base Station Antenna”, as a general search.

Use, “Lightning” as cross-reference term.

An Alka-Seltzer, too, and the voices, the voices, will soon lead you to La-La Land and a peaceful nights rest.

— It’s real easy to get in the weeds with this thread title subject.

.

 

[jcrmadden]

I own a tower!

 

[slowmover]

I own a tower!

Excellent news!

Will need:

Insulated backpack with three-day supply and mountain-climber hammock.


Can you imagine an 11M antenna at 1,500-ft?
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