DIY Fractal Scanner Antenna for $5

[TrevDog]

I saw a PBS documentary about fractals, especially the usage of fractals for antennas the other day and it got me thinking. So, I made the trip down to the local radio shack and bought myself a twist-on BNC connector for about $4.99, and used other stuff I had laying around the house.

Stuff Used:
-About 10 inches of coax leftover from the directv guy
-Bailing wire
-Zip ties
-Plastic board cut from some old kid's toy
-Twist-on BNC connector

It actually works great! I honestly thought it was going to flop, but now I'm thinking of maybe attaching it face up to the moon roof in my car and trying it out for mobile use.

 

[gewecke]

Cool!
But don't be surprised when your lady hands you a box of aluminum foil! :lol:
I'll have to google your idea...

73,
n9zas

 

[K9WG]

I saw that program also and thought about making one.

I will have to admit, yours looks like a Rorschach gone bad.......

 

[kb2vxa]

I hate to be the pin in your bubble but a piece of wire bent in an odd shape soldered to the center conductor does not a fractal make. Now here we have a broken antenna replaced by a coat hanger, a VHF monopole, a dual band monopole and a DF loop.

 

[gewecke]

These guys have the correct theory involved. We had had freakin' fractal design antennas all over the place at the embassy in westminster and other parts of london! Definitely old school, but they work.

http://www.cscjournals.org/csc/manuscript/Journals/IJE/Volume2/Issue3/IJE-14.pdf

73,
n9zas

 

[TrevDog]

I hate to be the pin in your bubble but a piece of wire bent in an odd shape soldered to the center conductor does not a fractal make. Now here we have a broken antenna replaced by a coat hanger, a VHF monopole, a dual band monopole and a DF loop.

I was wondering if someone would say that. I got the inspiration from a fractal, anyway.