Simple and easy Air monitoring antenna

[kf4lne]

Real quick, just a bit of info to pass along to the air band monitors. If you need a good, low cost air band antenna for monitoring the 108-136MHz range you can make one from some simple parts from Lowes or Home Depot. Al you need is a 1/2 inch PVC pipe coupling and 2 peices of 24 inch copper water pipe. Drill a hole in the MIDDLE of the PVC coupling to fit some coax cable through. Feed the coax throught he hole from the INSIDE of the coupler. Next, feed the rest of the coax down through one of the copper pipes and push both pipes up inside the PVC coupler. The PVC coupler should keep the pipes from touching. Use sheet metal screws to hold the pipes into the coupler so they wont fall out and you can use the same screws to attach the coax. Connect the shield to the pipe with the coax inside of it and connect the center conductor to the other pipe. Put a pipe cap on top and stuff fome foam rubber in the bottom to keep bugs out. Coat the whole thing with a coating of clear coat and let dry. Once it is dry use hot glue or caulk or something similar to seal the hole where the coax is and test. When you are done you should have an antenna similar to the illistratiion below.


Parts List
1/2x24 inch copper pipe - 2
1/2 inch PVC coupler - 1
Copper end cap - 1
Sheet Metal screws at least 1 inch long - several, but at least 2
Coaxial Cable (RG6 or Mini 8, LMR400 is too thick for this)



All of these parts are available at most home improvement stores.