amateur radio
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LeedsCase
New member
For HF I use a triangular 1000' loop antenna for HF, which tunes everything from 160M to 10M. I worked over 100 countries on SSB using that. We usually use that or a variation at feild day and it is generally very reliable and low noise.
We usually put up a dipole too, but it never tunes very well compared to the loop. It depends on how uch room and what kind of supports you have what will work out best for you.
Loop first, inverted V dipole second.
I've also used a Ringo vertical antenna for 10M. That worked well, but that was 20 years ago at the peak of the sunspot too. I'd still recommend it, although I didn't compare it to the loop.
I've never had a 6 meter rig, so no advice there.
For 2 meters, I pretty much use a 5/8 wave magmount that is either on the car or mounted to a plate on the tower. I have used a beam but it wasn't worth the hassle for local repeater work.
I did have a copper pipe j-pole that I used for many years that worked great. I still have a tv-twin lead j-pole tacked to the shack that I use during thunderstorms to work the net.
My recomendation after 22 years of being a ham is to put up a loop using as much wire as possible or an inverted V dipole for HF,
and for 2 meters use a 50 watt mobile with a 5/8 wave or better antenna to work the repeaters. (50 W mobile is no joke. It's terrible to hear someone start describing the bad weather coming to them, then hear them fade out because they don't have enough power to hit the repeater. save a few more pennies, and get a radio that will work no matter what.)
My focus is on emergency communications, so I am predisposed towards simple, easy to build, and sufficient to cover my county.
Good luck. KE4GHC
We usually put up a dipole too, but it never tunes very well compared to the loop. It depends on how uch room and what kind of supports you have what will work out best for you.
Loop first, inverted V dipole second.
I've also used a Ringo vertical antenna for 10M. That worked well, but that was 20 years ago at the peak of the sunspot too. I'd still recommend it, although I didn't compare it to the loop.
I've never had a 6 meter rig, so no advice there.
For 2 meters, I pretty much use a 5/8 wave magmount that is either on the car or mounted to a plate on the tower. I have used a beam but it wasn't worth the hassle for local repeater work.
I did have a copper pipe j-pole that I used for many years that worked great. I still have a tv-twin lead j-pole tacked to the shack that I use during thunderstorms to work the net.
My recomendation after 22 years of being a ham is to put up a loop using as much wire as possible or an inverted V dipole for HF,
and for 2 meters use a 50 watt mobile with a 5/8 wave or better antenna to work the repeaters. (50 W mobile is no joke. It's terrible to hear someone start describing the bad weather coming to them, then hear them fade out because they don't have enough power to hit the repeater. save a few more pennies, and get a radio that will work no matter what.)
My focus is on emergency communications, so I am predisposed towards simple, easy to build, and sufficient to cover my county.
Good luck. KE4GHC
LeedsCase
New member
Read the other posts, and realized I should put in a bit more info.
Feedline for the HF rig is almost always RG8 feeding into a balun right at the feedpoint of the antenna. I don't remember the balun ratio, I'd have to drop the antenna to see.
I use an MFJ antenna tuner for HF.
Feedline for the 2M rig is generally RG8 Mini since I usually run less than 100'.
I did have a longer run and got some 9913? I think it was. Worked great 'till the dog chewed it up because it had my scent all over it and he was lonely. My friends all suggested that it should have ended his career as a dog.......
I don't run 440 because there are very few repeaters in my area, and what few there are are up and down. I use it for cross banding occasionally but thats it.
I'm line of sight to the local repeaters, so 2m height is only about 20' max.
The HF antenna is about 30' above ground and supported in the trees with poly rope and PVC fittings for insulators and rope protection.
Feedline for the HF rig is almost always RG8 feeding into a balun right at the feedpoint of the antenna. I don't remember the balun ratio, I'd have to drop the antenna to see.
I use an MFJ antenna tuner for HF.
Feedline for the 2M rig is generally RG8 Mini since I usually run less than 100'.
I did have a longer run and got some 9913? I think it was. Worked great 'till the dog chewed it up because it had my scent all over it and he was lonely. My friends all suggested that it should have ended his career as a dog.......
I don't run 440 because there are very few repeaters in my area, and what few there are are up and down. I use it for cross banding occasionally but thats it.
I'm line of sight to the local repeaters, so 2m height is only about 20' max.
The HF antenna is about 30' above ground and supported in the trees with poly rope and PVC fittings for insulators and rope protection.
OP
B7510HSD
Veteran Member
Thanks for the reply Ahhhh the Jpole what a fun antenna built and used many over the years. I wish I had room and supports for a loop antenna I have a 50x100 lot and only 1 tree on 1 corner .. Wonder if an inverted V would work with the tree holding the center and run one side to my garage and the other to the house?? I am also involved in EMCOMM in my area.
LeedsCase
New member
The arrow antenna is a discone type antenna, quick, simple, works well.
Very low gain at a 1/4 wave.
Lots of new hams go with a discone at first for 2M, then quickly move up to something better.
If you go this route, I'd say build it yourself, and then spend the money on a larger antenna later.
Very low gain at a 1/4 wave.
Lots of new hams go with a discone at first for 2M, then quickly move up to something better.
If you go this route, I'd say build it yourself, and then spend the money on a larger antenna later.
LeedsCase
New member
The inverted V would work that way. You would need to keep the tip of the antenna, and the rest of it for that matter away from any metal, but it would work great. Thats what most people wind up doing.
They use the tallest tree they have to support the center of the antenna, and then whatever they can find to support the ends.
Most people put the tip of the antenna about 8 feet off the ground to minimize shock potential, etc.
You have to change the angle of the V to get the feedpoint impedance right so where you tie the tips off can vary. We always did it through trial and error.... Good and technical.
They use the tallest tree they have to support the center of the antenna, and then whatever they can find to support the ends.
Most people put the tip of the antenna about 8 feet off the ground to minimize shock potential, etc.
You have to change the angle of the V to get the feedpoint impedance right so where you tie the tips off can vary. We always did it through trial and error.... Good and technical.
JFoy
Silver Member
KI4RBA - name is John. I have a tech license and only an HT. Haven't turned it on in months though. Went to the local ham group a couple times a few years ago and at 50 yrs old, was one of the youngest in the group so I lost interest.
k0ua
Epic Contributor
Get your general, and get on HF.. a whole new world at your fingertips. Always someone available to work, and many different modes to explore. I work a lot of digital modes.
JFoy
Silver Member
Friend of mine about two hours away got his general and I've considered it. Like the tractor though, it doesn't take long to drop a lot of money on a new rig and associated gear - heh
