Worked Czech Republic, France and Poland on $12 of wire

[mrstangblb]

I worked the Czech Republic, France and Poland last night on my Kenwood TS-820 after researching several different dipoles, and with $12 of 14 gauge wire. 44' for each leg and maybe 25' or so for feedline allowed me to throw it up over the house and spread it out pretty well over my front and back yard, and it's up about 14' or so.

That's my first homebrew antenna, and it's not perfect - SWR was a little high, so I'm going to keep working with it - but the very first contact was the Czech Republic. He gave me a 5-7, and I'd have to give him no better than that... but I was very pleased to have done this well last night.

I think my 820 is in better shape at 30+ years old than I was.

What homebrew antennas are you using, and how are they put together? I'm new at this, so if you can comment on how you made it in steps, that would make it easier for me to try.

Barry
KK4RXN
Jeremiah 29:11-13 / John 3:16

 

[W5KVV]

Nice work on the contacts Barry. I myself have a TS-820S that I've been playing with. It looks like new, but unfortunately, it's in need of a little work. I plan on sending it to hybridrepair & having Jim make it like new again. It will last me another 30 years when he gets done with it.

Anyways, I have a 20m dipole in the back yard. It was a left over from field day this year. I've talked all over the world with it! Very simple construction. 14 ga wire cut for 20 meters & a SO-239 bulkhead connector. Solder one leg to the center conductor, the other to one of the screw holes.

It's not a permanent antenna by any means. Just a throw it up & get on the air antenna. I have the center attached to a 10' piece of top rail, the legs are inverted V. One is tied to my fence & the other is tied to the birdbath (of all things) with some UV resistant plastic line. The legs are a prefect 180* out.

It works like a charm. Furthest contact from my QTH was a VK2 station in Australia. He reported a 5-7. Not bad for a piece of wire!

 

[mrstangblb]

Hope you can get that 820S up and going soon. I have been really impressed with mine! I'm very glad it's been my first rig after buying it from my Uncle. He's been pretty proud to know of where I've talked, because since I posted the first post, I've talked all over Italy (had a solid 5-8 last night), Russia, a lot of Europe, Venezuela, and am one of these days hoping to get to Asia if possible. It has been a lot of fun!

I keep tweaking and trying new setups, like a delta loop triangle in the trees the other night that didn't do as well as the dipole, and I hope to get these things up higher one of these days soon. Keep me posted on how you do - sounds like yours is working great!

 

[AgentCOPP1]

I haven't yet done any home brew antennas but I'm looking forward to it when I get the time. The problem that I have with dipoles is that there really isn't any good space for me to put it. I *could* put it on my roof, but for 20/40 meters, I doubt that the vertical pattern of the antenna would look very good, or at least any better than what my vertical antenna is. My vertical gets 0 degree radiation (obviously) so I'm really just contemplating whether it would be worth the effort to set up a dipole that might not even work as well as my current antenna does.

Don't get me wrong, I would LOVE to make myself more antennas, but my time is currently limited and I unfortunately have to prioritize. I've still got some more tuning that I need to do with my vertical, so that'll take a bit of time. Maybe some day I can get around to it.

 

[mrstangblb]

I do something new or different with these homebrew antennas every week. I know my neighbors can't figure me out - but it's a lot of fun!

------------

Barry

Jeremiah 29:11-13 / John 3:16

 

[jhooten]

What band? 88 feet by the formula comes out to 5.3 MHZ or the 60 meter band. 20 meters should be about 16.5 feet per leg or 33' feet overall. 40 meters is 65' overall.

My 40/80 dipole is made from salvaged wire with scraps of 3/4" PVC pipe for insulators hung in the trees with some old mule tape found wadded up in the ditch after some contractors put in fiber optic cable in the area. Not in the least pretty but it works.

 

[W5KVV]

I'm looking forward to getting it back on the air. I've been collecting the rest of the accesories for the 820S here lately. My ultimate goal is to have the complete TS-820S station. The station monitor, matching speaker, AT-200 tuner & the 2m & 6m transverters. So far all I've picked up is the remote VFO & the AT-200. Some of the accesories go for big money!


As far as antennas go, my biggest problem is the lack of trees for hanging wires. We had an ice storm come thru in '07 & it took out all of my mature trees. I have since planted new trees, but it's gonna be a few years before I can hang anything in them.

I did find a good deal on a 50 ft. of 25G Rohn tower. One of these days I'll get it put up & have a nice platform for antennas of all types.

 

[mrstangblb]

I am having trouble with my external VFO. It isn't working and I wonder if it's the relay gone bad. Sounds like you are working on a nice setup!

I put up a dipole yesterday now that I am on vacation in Myrtle Beach. It's doing okay but it's not up high. I went to Bass Pro Shop a while ago and got a 20' telescopic fishing pole. I'm going to rig up something like a Norcal doublet to see how that works to improve the reception.

------------

Barry

Jeremiah 29:11-13 / John 3:16

 

[AC2OY]

I keep hearing rants and raves about a G5RV or G5RV junior. I think I can slap a 80 meter dipole up but I have to figure out where I'm going to string it up I don't have any trees in my yard.

 

[W5KVV]

The G5RV is a fine antenna if you understand what it was originally designed for. A compromise 20 meter wire antenna that worked "ok" on other bands with a tuner.

For some reason, people have elevated the G5RV to cult status. There are a lot better antennas to be had, but I have a G5RV & I plan to put it back up when I get a tower to hang it from.

 

[mrstangblb]

The fishing pole dipole is working pretty well here at Myrtle Beach - no real DXing, but I have made good contacts all over the country.

I hear mixed reviews on the G5RV - some love them and some hate them, but I may try one of them out one of these days.

------------

Barry

Jeremiah 29:11-13 / John 3:16

 

[dksac2]

Congrats. It's really something what you can do on high frequency with just some wire. The big expensive antennas are nice for sure, and will have more range and better quieting, but you have proved what so many others have. With HF, it does not have to cost a bundle to make great contacts.

Keep up the great work.

73's John

 

[mrstangblb]

It is a lot of fun experimenting! This weekend's new test: a delta loop around the yard made out of galvanized fence wire. It's only $13.99 at Tractor Supply for 1/4 mile, so that's my next project!

------------

Barry

Jeremiah 29:11-13 / John 3:16

 

[mrstangblb]

It is a lot of fun experimenting! This weekend's new test: a delta loop around the yard made out of galvanized fence wire. It's only $13.99 at Tractor Supply for 1/4 mile, so that's my next project!

------------

Barry

Jeremiah 29:11-13 / John 3:16