Building antennas seems to be getting to be a bit of a habit for me. This time I've bought a kit, for evaluation purposes. No really it is.
I was trying to think of a project that I could use at MX0WRC (Workington and district amateur radio club) to help give some direction to some of the members who may never have built anything other than the kit they built for their intermediate licence. So, as I've been roped in to give a talk on my portable set up, which consists of what I thought were low cost antennas I thought I'd found the right direction.
Low cost is not what I came across when researching simple antennas. It seemed that I was way off the mark for commercial offerings until I found a company in Germany called Nuxcom. 
They supply what look like simple yagi kits at realistic prices. By which I mean the cost of the materials isn't prohibitive (For example from a raw material supplier 25mm box section can be bought for as little as £6-8 for a 1m length, enough for a 3 element 2m yagi and round tube for similar cost - and this isn't cheap Chinese metal this is western European fully traceable materials! Don't even get me started on the price of pipe clamps)
So, to placate my ever growing concern that prices are rising higher than a bankers bonuses, without any real justification I ordered one of the larger kits from Nuxcom, a 2 element lightweight 6m yagi. Purchasing was a bit drawn out as I placed an order and the 'quote' was returned with shipping costs added in a few hours later. But at £35 I was prepared to take a gamble, even is a third of the cost was shipping.
I'm expecting the kit before the weekend and I'll do a little write up when it arrives. On the face of it the kit looks fairly simple in design without any bells and whistles, just what we need to add to the J pole, vertical and dipole designs that I plan on demonstrating.
What I'm really hoping for is a good value, simple lightweight antenna than doesn't cost the earth so that the club members can learn and experiment without breaking the bank. More later.
Alex,
ReplyDeleteSecond attempt at a comment, too early to write hihi.
How did you find the 2ele ?
I've the 7 ele 2m yagi from them and it works but on the hilltops in a 10 mph and upwards wind it loads too much. I still have to do more work to it in this way.
I'm looking for something for 6m for hill and SOTA work, is it worth a go ?
Bobby
GM7GAX
Hi Bobby,
ReplyDeleteBeen away so sorry for the delay but I really like it. Its a bit wobbly once the wind gets up but on the whole its forgiven because it is so compact. I'd love one that covers 6m, 2m and 70cm from a common beam so I only need one beam. I've been in touch with Atila and he'll supply all the components. I just need to design it. Did you spot the decorators pole?
Alex
Thanks for the reply, I'm guessing a holiday ? Lucky you..house renovations have taken priority over family hols this year.
ReplyDeleteI see the decorators pole, just in off chance do you have it in a bigger size? just to see the connection.
I was going to source the bits but I guess it will be easier just to send off to D land as I know how good to deal with they are.
I'm not bothered with an extra antenna to carry as it isn't much extra weight.I already use a five element on my SOTA activating.It'll just black tape on to it.
I know Robin PKT has had some success with 6m and having tried so hard to get 4mFM/70cmFM (and ssb) going. I thought 6m is worth a try in the summer/autumn months.
Thanks for the help..
Funnily I was on my local hillside and heard a couple of stations on the Workington 2m Sunday net on 7th July, I cannot remember the calls but I'm sure I may have worked some of the club on my trips to the Lakes over the last three years..
Bobby
Funnily enough we've just put in planning permission for an extension (with mast!). I'm sure we won't be going anywhere other than to the inlaws in Troon for a while again.
ReplyDeleteThe clamp was from aerial-parts.co.uk. He does a range that are great value for round and square booms. Ideally all you need is a female threaded part for the decorators pole (the very coarse thread type) but so far I haven't had the time to source one.
I'm in the Workington club but never get on the net because of the dip I live in. I have to drive out the village and from there its no problem, trouble is, Sunday morning isn't the greatest time for me. We tried a few 2m ssb contacts and I've called and called in the past but unless its UKAC night its way too quiet in IO84. Better down south I suppose. Its a shame because I'm sure if there were a few people on regularly enough the band would have a greater draw. Jim G3ZPD does a bit of 4m but I haven't the rig for it at the moment. Maybe in time.