Now don't make fun of me for this :lol: , but, could I make a "poor man's antenna" (antenna made out of a coat hanger) for the VHF band that I could transmit on? I just now thought about it, I could get the wire to be long enough, but would it need a tuning ball at the end, and I think it might be the right thickness. Also, when you make a "one wire" antenna like that, do you use the 1/4 wave formula or the 1/2 wave formula? Which one works better?
homeade VHF antenna
- Thread starter scanfan03
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KC2LVC
Member
Check out this link. The guy did use a coat hanger for the vertical part of the antenna, and an old fan for the ground plane. Seems like just the thing you're looking for.
http://www.qsl.net/w4sat/fantenna.htm
http://www.qsl.net/w4sat/fantenna.htm
KC2LVC
Member
Connection refused when attempting to connect? Whats up?
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N_Jay
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scanfan03 said:
1/4 if you assume that the radio and your body provide some amount of ground plane or counterpois.
5/8 also seems to work well, I forget the math as to why?
The thickness only matters structurally.
Why not go to a hobby shop and get a piece of stainless steel "drill rod"
N_Jay said:
Might do that, thank for the suggestion. Also thanks for the links KC2LVC.
merlin-7
Member
I just made a 1/4 wave ground plane cut for 155 mhz.
It is only a little over 18 inches tall and 36 inches wide.
I tossed it together in about 90 minutes.
I have been using it for about an hour now listening to some FD and some of the local repeaters from 145 to 154 mhz.
It works great and easy to build. I used aluminum tubing but do not see why coat hangers would not work If that is anywhere around the frequency range you are looking at.
If you want me to tell you how I built it e-mail me a phone# and I can call you (just tell me what time to call)
Oh yea it is hooked up to a uniden bearcat 55xlt 10 channel scanner I picked up at the flea market lol
It is only a little over 18 inches tall and 36 inches wide.
I tossed it together in about 90 minutes.
I have been using it for about an hour now listening to some FD and some of the local repeaters from 145 to 154 mhz.
It works great and easy to build. I used aluminum tubing but do not see why coat hangers would not work If that is anywhere around the frequency range you are looking at.
If you want me to tell you how I built it e-mail me a phone# and I can call you (just tell me what time to call)
Oh yea it is hooked up to a uniden bearcat 55xlt 10 channel scanner I picked up at the flea market lol
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