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2 meter beam questions

I've been able to open a repeater 29 miles using a UV-82 and the stock antenna standing in my driveway (s3 - so just barely). Granted it is pretty flat and there is a good deal of water between myself and the repeater. Adding a rollup twinlead jpole certainly is an improvement.

At the bottom of this page are PDF files for the DBJ-1 and DBJ-2 by Ed Fong that I have used with good results - https://edsantennas.weebly.com/about.html

After you make the j pole you can try this little yagi - http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Technology/tis/info/pdf/9304054.pdf
I know somebody on this forum made one recently. You can also use wooden dowels and wire for the elements instead of aluminium.

Tape measure yagis are also easy and inexpensive using a cheap/free Harbor Freight tape measure.
 
Tallman said:
I did not realize that high frequency would cover that amount of distance with such a low power level.
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Things in that contact was almost perfect for me. It was a line of sight type of contact for me. He did say he had to turn his squelch basically off to hear me but it was what I needed for my SOTA activation. I had left my coax on the hood of my truck for the HF antenna / VHF yagi. :notworthy:
 
Broke Spoke said:
I'm looking into making a j pole. Thanks!
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JPole.jpg


Measuring from the 19-1/4" element end of the angle the holes are at 1/2", 2-7/8", and 5" from edge of angle to hole centers.
 
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One night I was walking the dog (real dog not CB lingo), I would always take an HT with me. I tuned around, there was a station on 146.520 (calling freq), I could hear him fine but not the stations he was working. I decided to give him a call, turned out he was just north of Woodstock IL which is about 74 miles north of me. He did mention that his tower was 125' so that helped but it was pretty amazing. Oh, I was using a Baofeng UV-5R at the time with a Nagoya NA-771 antenna.
 
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w9cll said:
One night I was walking the dog (real dog not CB lingo), I would always take an HT with me. I tuned around, there was a station on 146.520 (calling freq), I could hear him fine but not the stations he was working. I decided to give him a call, turned out he was just north of Woodstock IL which is about 74 miles north of me. He did mention that his tower was 125' so that helped but it was pretty amazing. Oh, I was using a Baofeng UV-5R at the time with a Nagoya NA-771 antenna.
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I have the bf-f8hp with a Nagoya NA-771. I did find out that I can reach the repeater. Since I am new to ham, this is my first radio. Of course I am going for general and more radios soon. But I will still build and tinker around with antennas. Always been an interest of mine.
 
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BJ radionut said:
Bill/KN4JQP: Check around your area and look for old BIG outdoor TV antennas and check with neighbors.(if you see them)
Those make GREAT Sources for parts for 2m/440 yagi antennas!
Most were made of Aluminum and can be salvaged for short booms and element pieces.
Just a thought...been there done that :)
All the Best
Gary

http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Technology/tis/info/pdf/9611034.pdf
http://www.amateurradio.bz/tri-band_yagi.html
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I have found some videos about the old tv antennas. I am on the lookout for some. Hope I can find one soon.
 
In HOA neighborhoods, those big tv antennas are in people's attics. I know mine is! Might be worth asking people if they want to get rid of them.

73,
Brett
 
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Broke Spoke said:
I have found some videos about the old tv antennas. I am on the lookout for some. Hope I can find one soon.
Click to expand...

The second link I posted had videos also...Look for 3 or 4 TV antennas to make sure you have enough longer elements...The rest of the pieces can be recycled!...Not worth much but we help the "Green Thingy" :)

http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/search
http://www.w4cue.com/
http://www.w4iax.net/RESOURCES/MOBILE HAMFESTflyer2018.pdf
https://www.harc.net/hamfest list 2016.htm
Also great places to find antenna parts...someone's loss is another man's Treasure's :)
Ask the Local's and Local nets about TAILGATE Parties...just never know what may be lurking in someone's barn or garage! :)
All the Best
Gary
 
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