Homemade antenna Issue High SWR

[HomerBB]

PVC doesn't block RF, but it does influence it.
Yes, you must trim from both ends of the dipole evenly.
And, as said by others, anything near it, especially the ends, will affect tuning.
My suggestion: do you have a fiberglass step ladder you can mount it on for tuning?
Even bolting it onto a 2x4 with U-bolts around the bottom PVC insulator can help keep it away (above) the roof line/gutters, etc.
My antenna was only leaning against the house for a photo. Photos of it in the air shows the PVC bottom cut much shorter and on the end. I didn't realize it would confuse you.

 

[Gunner357]

Also Gunner: Remember BOTH lengths of the Dipole must be Equal!
So each side/length should be about 102 inches long +/-...When tuning if you trim an inch off the Top ...you must trim the bottom same length...both ends need to be equal!

Also when you strip the coax to make your connections...the center and shield connection need to be same length also. And that striped length will ADD to the overall measurement!

So the patch Of coax must be cut to 102 inches also

 

[Gunner357]

PVC doesn't block RF, but it does influence it.
Yes, you must trim from both ends of the dipole evenly.
And, as said by others, anything near it, especially the ends, will affect tuning.
My suggestion: do you have a fiberglass step ladder you can mount it on for tuning?
Even bolting it onto a 2x4 with U-bolts around the bottom PVC insulator can help keep it away (above) the roof line/gutters, etc.
My antenna was only leaning against the house for a photo. Photos of it in the air shows the PVC bottom cut much shorter and on the end. I didn't realize it would confuse you.

It just looks white in the pics I got NO worries Well OK did you see my connection? are they OK

 

[Gunner357]

Im going to try one more time the walmarts around me are out of poles so I had a brain storm I know you guys are saying we are in trouble now so anyway Ill post pictures as i go

 

[secret squirrel]

How much coax you running back to the radio. You probably mentioned it, but I missed it?

 

[Gunner357]

How much coax you running back to the radio. You probably mentioned it, but I missed it?

right now with a choke the Analyzer said 62 but i purchased 60 RG213

 

[Gunner357]

OK here we go I used to make home TV antennas 100 years ago so I had a little brain storm I hope this will work and give opinions please. the first pic is the connection of the coax to the tubes approx 3 inches shielded.

Pic 2 The 2 copper tubes connected with 1 inch PCV Insulator

Pic3 Completed I use 24 inch of PCV at the bottom do to a little heavier material used(hope this isn't going to be a problem

Pic 4another full picture I need to run and get a end cap for it still unless i can find a rubber one here

Pic 5 how it is tuned I used 3/4 copper about 3 feet the end is notched so it will tighten around the 1/2 copper tube... as of right now the lower IS 102 the upper not adjusted yet will be adjust to about 99 inched do to the fact threes the 3 inches of shielded wire in the middle PVC

Pic^ I forgot this show the coax coming from the antenna is this too much?? its rg8x mini maybe make the balun out of that?

 

[BJ radionut]

OK ! So you soldered the "braid" to the lower 102 inch section...
Then that Black wire is the Center of the coax ( striped 3 inches long) and then soldered onto 99 inches of Copper tubing?
Is that what we are seeing?

 

[Gunner357]

OK ! So you soldered the "braid" to the lower 102 inch section...
Then that Black wire is the Center of the coax ( striped 3 inches long) and then soldered onto 99 inches of Copper tubing?
Is that what we are seeing?

correct plus the copper will be adjustable

 

[BJ radionut]

OK stand that up a few feet off the ground clear of everything...and let's see!!!

 

[Gunner357]

OK stand that up a few feet off the ground clear of everything...and let's see!!!

Im going to use the excess coax for a Ugly Choke Then I'm going to try and get my fiberglass ladder to hold that thing up out in the yard somewhere and hook the Analyzer up to it

 

[BJ radionut]

before you wind the 'Ugly balun" stand it up and test it!

 

[Gunner357]

before you wind the 'Ugly balun" stand it up and test it!

Okay

 

[Gunner357]

HMMM ok this is all with a tape measure 102 top 102 bottom no metal to metal Now don't laugh at my mast assy its only a temp. please explain wth is going on

 

[Gunner357]

before you wind the 'Ugly balun" stand it up and test it!

pics are post of it upright