DIY Dual-Band 2m/70cm PA0FBK Antenna

[W2PAK]

Hi All,
I recently built a super simple and affordable dual-band 2m/70cm antenna using a PA0FBK design. The best part? It cost me less than $20 and took me less than an hour to put together!

I've attached a schematic below. It's really straightforward, even for beginners. I uses a piece of RG58 coax and it can be used as a portable or fixed antenna.

I made a video here:

Let me know if you have any comments or questions.

73,

Paul W2PAK

 

[G0SGV]

I've just built one of these and it resonates beautifully on 2m but on 70cm it's out of band (UK). Best swr is between 440 and 450 MHz.znd UK band stops at 440 MHz. I need it to.be good around 433 MHz! All dimensions are within 1mm of the published design. Any clues?

 

[prcguy]

I've just built one of these and it resonates beautifully on 2m but on 70cm it's out of band (UK). Best swr is between 440 and 450 MHz.znd UK band stops at 440 MHz. I need it to.be good around 433 MHz! All dimensions are within 1mm of the published design. Any clues?

Move across the pond and enjoy a wider 70cm band?

 

[prcguy]

Looking over the details for this antenna I see it’s about 48” tall and has about 0dBd gain at the horizon on 2m and .66dBd gain on 70cm. That’s not very good for it’s size and a simple 1/2 wave dipole on each band is nearly as good. A 1/2 wave dipole on 2m is about 10” shorter and a 1/2 wave dipole on 70cm is only 12” tall.