My first attempt to build a 5/8 wave homemade

[RickC.]

As far as the match goes, yeah, I don't think you'll improve on that!

I built one a while back with a loop about 2 feet in diameter- which worked fine but couldn't take any abuse.

Looks like you've got a handle on it, congrats!


Rick

 

[HomerBB]

I have a coil at the base of the vertical which, apparently, reduced the need for a larger ring. As for abuse, II'll see when we get some high winds.

 

[HomerBB]

As for abuse, II'll see when we get some high winds.

Now I see what the high winds do to this thing. Ironically, the swr after it fell was

ch 1 1.1
ch 19 1.2
ch 40 1.4

I could still hear and transmit effectively. The design is good, but the materials are weak. I'll get some good stuff to build it and put it together for the long haul.

 

[RickC.]

Ouch!

Hey well, you know what you have to do to tune it now! Must have been the weekend for antennas to go awry...

 

[HomerBB]

Ouch!

Hey well, you know what you have to do to tune it now! Must have been the weekend for antennas to go awry...

Whole lotta wind. Thought it was gonna be ok... :thumbdown:

 

[HomerBB]

Well, now I must say that this has turned into something of a mini-disaster. Putting the A99 back in place is disappointing. The old long-time, A99 just doesn't hold a candle to the homemade is some respects. Can't hear as far, reduced signal and audio on receive, and what a room full of white noise and static by comparison to the broken down 5/8.
Without a doubt, something must be done.

:angry:

 

[Moleculo]

I know it's disappointing that it broke down, but look at this way: You got a chance to test out the difference between the A99 and a 5/8 wave. You also learned something about the structural integrity that's necessary for a big aluminum antenna. When you build it back up, show us some close up pics of what you decided on to make it strong enough for the next wind storm.

 

[HomerBB]

When I do, mind you, It will be out of materials that are laying around, or available at the nearby home depot or flea market. I'm no machinist, and wouldn't want to experiment in an area that excludes poor boys like me.

No telling what I'll come up with or whether it will be any better...

I'll do photos

 

[HomerBB]

5/6 Redo 01

I have begun to rework my 5/8 homemade.

Explanations later, but here are a few photos:

5/8 Redo 01

 

[RickC.]

I look forward to seeing the pics Homer, but that link isn't working...

 

[HomerBB]

Deleted this irrelevant post.

Homer

 

[mechanic]

Could you stuff the pipe with a long wooden dowel to prevent it from breaking? BTW I like the looks of your antenna!

Mechanic

 

[Moleculo]

Homer, you can always just attach the pictures directly to the thread here. Use the little paperclip on the "Go Advanced" reply button.

 

[HomerBB]

Could you stuff the pipe with a long wooden dowel to prevent it from breaking? BTW I like the looks of your antenna!

Mechanic

I did the wooden dowel, but it broke.

 

[HomerBB]

Homer, you can always just attach the pictures directly to the thread here. Use the little paperclip on the "Go Advanced" reply button.

ok.


These are updates from today

I intend to paint it all gray to look better.

The SWR are pretty good.

Flat 1:0 at 27.195

1:2 at 27.405
1:2 at 26.965

I am probably going to cover the exposed coils and the PVC holding the vertical element with fiberglass to protect it and reinforce it for additional strength.