homemade antenna?

[jamiewmorris]

I was wanting to know if anyone has an ideas on making of a homemade antenna, especially for the 800 mhz trunking.

 

[N_Jay]

I was wanting to know if anyone has an ideas on making of a homemade antenna, especially for the 800 mhz trunking.

if you only want one band, just make a 1/4 wave whip, or a 1/2 wave dipole.

If you need more help, I would pick up an ARRL book on antennas.

 

[LarrySC]

A wet kite string is the best homemade antenna I ever built. Dont waste your time on such a project. Put your efforts toward working and earning money to buy a quality built antenna that will work.

 

[N_Jay]

A wet kite string is the best homemade antenna I ever built. Dont waste your time on such a project. Put your efforts toward working and earning money to buy a quality built antenna that will work.

Better yet;
Put your time into understanding how an antenna works, so whether you build it or buy it, you will know it is more than just "snake oil"! :twisted:

 

[jeffmulter]

Before you consider building / buying an antenna for 800 MHz., give some thought to how you want to use the antenna.

Do you want to monitor one system / site, or multiple systems / sites.

And, do you want to monitor multiple systems / sites simultaneously.

A ground plane will provide the best coverage in all directions, but that might affect your reception if you have a local cellular / PCS / Nextel site that could cause interference.

A yagi / directional antenna can provide good performance in a particular direction, but might not be suitable if you want to monitor sites in two different directions.

A little reminder ... use the best low-loss coax you can afford with your 800 antenna. Line loss can really add up as the coax length increases.


Jeff Multer
Fort Mill, S.C.