homemade antenna

[godskidz]

Hi all.
I am going to buy a radio shack antenna 20-176 but for now I
have to make one out of just wire.
What would be a crude way to do this?
Thanks
GOD BLESS

 

[lil_jimmy_norton]

Quick easy one I used it get a matching transformer from Radio shack, such as this one ( http://www.radioshack.com/product/i...mer&kw=matching+transformer&parentPage=search) or the make a 4 port one that will work. Then use an antenna calculator to determine the proper lengths for tyhe wire elements ( http://www.crompton.com/wa3dsp/hamradio/antcalc.html) best to use the half wave number. Cut the wire to the lengths you need, connect it to the matching transformer, then run some RG-6 (or equivelent) to you scanner.

I use a similar setup using 4 elements and it works great.

Just my $.02USD

 

[prcguy]

A “nest of dipoles” can certainly make a useable antenna, but why would you recommend connecting a bunch of 70 something ohm dipoles to a 300 ohm transformer?
prcguy

Quick easy one I used it get a matching transformer from Radio shack, such as this one ( http://www.radioshack.com/product/i...mer&kw=matching+transformer&parentPage=search) or the make a 4 port one that will work. Then use an antenna calculator to determine the proper lengths for tyhe wire elements ( http://www.crompton.com/wa3dsp/hamradio/antcalc.html) best to use the half wave number. Cut the wire to the lengths you need, connect it to the matching transformer, then run some RG-6 (or equivelent) to you scanner.

I use a similar setup using 4 elements and it works great.

Just my $.02USD

 

[lil_jimmy_norton]

A “nest of dipoles” can certainly make a useable antenna, but why would you recommend connecting a bunch of 70 something ohm dipoles to a 300 ohm transformer?
prcguy

I think you may be misunderstanding due to bad terminology on my part. Basicly it is an OCFD, with a 4 input matching transformer (Balun) rather than the normal 2 input.

Looks just like that, but with 4 screw terminals ( 2 VHF and 2 UHF).

 

[k9rzz]

A simple ground plane built around a SO-239 coax connector is my fave:

http://www.hamuniverse.com/2metergp.html

You could build it as described and it will work well on a wide range of frequencies.

John K9RZZ

 

[JohnJRambo]

A simple ground plane built around a SO-239 coax connector is my fave:

http://www.hamuniverse.com/2metergp.html

You could build it as described and it will work well on a wide range of frequencies.

John K9RZZ

Yeah, what John said. Back in the early 70's, we built these ground planes out of metal coat hangers for 2 meter use. They work good and they are cheap. JJR

 

[N4JNW]

What would you say if I told you you could make an antenna out of a simple peice of coax? Yep- That's right, go to RadioShack, or find a old peice of RG-8 or RG-58 coax laying around.

Strip about 15" off the end, leaving only the bare center conductor exposed, with NO wire braid shield around it.

Tape the dude up and hook it to your scanner!

 

[AuntBee09]

i was able to wrap tin foil around a really crappy antenna i had and it made a big difference. i had to slide it up and down to the right point tho.