Where to buy antennas?

[northern35s]

Ok chaps, I've been extolling the virtues of using a 1/2WL alloy CB antenna, with the impedance transformer removed, as a viable 20m 1/4WL, this works out well here in the UK, and when I suggested it to a ham in Florida he fancied giving it a go, that's when the Atlantic became an issue :blink:

Plenty of places over here to buy said antenna, however all I can find when I look at US shops are the fibreglass variants of the A99, anyhing alloy is usually 5/8WL and festooned with radials, not a problem, other than the huge price hike from the few bucks I suggested they can be bought for, so chaps, any idea where they can be procured Stateside

 

[CowboyCody]

Isn't a 1/2 wavelength antenna with the matching section removed just an 18' piece of aluminum pipe

 

[northern35s]

Isn't a 1/2 wavelength antenna with the matching section removed just an 18' piece of aluminum pipe

More to the point a telescopic portable pipe with a mounting bracket and SO239 connector, this enables the antenna to be used portable from 6m-20m as a resonant 1/4WL and in UK can be bought for very little money. If you were to go to a hardware store and buy the parts it would cost a darn sight more than the venerable 1/2WL antenna

 

[wavrider]

telescopic fishing pole (crappie type) and a wire, Instant 1/4 wl vertical just extend it out to whatever band you want to work.

 

[QROdx]

...... any idea where they can be procured Stateside

if you want all aluminum construction and don't have a good supply nearby in the US, there's always DX engineering

they even have a full 65' kit

telescopic fishing pole (crappie type) and a wire, Instant 1/4 wl vertical just extend it out to whatever band you want to work.

I like doing that too. I also will use PVC 90s or 45s at the base of two of the B&M crappie poles to make Vs, inverted Vs, delta loops etc...

 

[W5LZ]

I don't remember seeing an aluminum 1/4 wave ready-made antenna for sale recently. But, I don't see why just buying the required length of aluminum tubing/pipe should be all that difficult. Then just make your own. It doesn't matter if it's 1/4 w or 1/2 wave or 32/46 w, it's still just a conductor. How you make the thing stand up straight is another issue (viagra?)...
- 'Doc

 

[northern35s]

I use the crappie pole and wire contraption here too and it works just fine and dandy, I have a 10m variant for 40 & 80m that I can attach to the back of my car, I also use one for a near 1/4WL vartical for my backpack kit, so I know they work

For info the CB 1/2WL antenna can be purchased for around £25 delivered, now that makes a value multiband in my book