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Attic Antenna
- Thread starter Mudfoot
- Start date
I use a simple dipole with balun set up for 11 meters fed by rg213 in the attic over the garage. I've done a lot of dx'ing with it and the only issue I've has is when the metal overhead door is open causing some reflection. My neighborhood won't allow me a tower so it's my only option. I purchased a radiowavz double bazooka to replace it some time back because it was highly recommended. So when I received it I put the probes on it and shows to be shorted so I was afraid to put power to it. I got busy with life and it's been too long to send it back now....
828,
There is nothing wrong with your Bazooka Antenna. The antenna is designed so the outer braid connects to the coax like a conventional dipole, and the ends are connected to the center conductor, thus there is a short DC circuit. Just google a Bazooka antenna and look for an image/picture, and you will see what I mean.
Mike, KC9Q
There is nothing wrong with your Bazooka Antenna. The antenna is designed so the outer braid connects to the coax like a conventional dipole, and the ends are connected to the center conductor, thus there is a short DC circuit. Just google a Bazooka antenna and look for an image/picture, and you will see what I mean.
Mike, KC9Q
Interesting, I've finally got some time and I'm digging it out this evening to see what that double bazooka is all about. Shoot I'd already given it up as a lost cause since it showed to be shorted. I'm very uneducated on the bazookas, I'd ordered it because of the recommendations and reviews but wasn't sure of its build. Interesting to know that's how it works but makes me nervous to connect a radio to it... I don't want magic smoke!
Been using a 10-20-40 endfed in my attic for several months now with great success. The downside is my station is in my garage (hot in summer, cold on winter) because I don't want to go trapsing through the blown-in insulation in my attic to re-route my coax. But that is about to change. Have decided to bite the bullet and drill a hole through the exterior wall on the other side of the house and set up in my office next to the computer.
Will not be stringing up my endfed in the backyard. Have decided to go another route. Should have my new antenna here and installed next week. Will report back once I'm on the air and have secured an umbrella large enough to fend off all the PR's.
Will not be stringing up my endfed in the backyard. Have decided to go another route. Should have my new antenna here and installed next week. Will report back once I'm on the air and have secured an umbrella large enough to fend off all the PR's.
Been using a 10-20-40 endfed in my attic for several months now with great success. The downside is my station is in my garage (hot in summer, cold on winter) because I don't want to go trapsing through the blown-in insulation in my attic to re-route my coax. But that is about to change. Have decided to bite the bullet and drill a hole through the exterior wall on the other side of the house and set up in my office next to the computer.
Will not be stringing up my endfed in the backyard. Have decided to go another route. Should have my new antenna here and installed next week. Will report back once I'm on the air and have secured an umbrella large enough to fend off all the PR's.
So you're another with a good report on the double bazooka. I received mine and just thought to test it, showed dead short and kind of tucked away without hope on it lol. I'll replace my dipole with balun in the attic tomorrow and will report once I get it all going.
So riverman what kind of antenna are you going to now?
One thing you have to know is that RF and DC act differently. What appears as a DC short is just fine as far as RF is concerned. All of the Baluns will show as a DC short on the input.
Mine is not a double bazooka, Eldorado. I use a LNR Precision 10-20-40 MKII.
My next antenna? Here's a clue. I LOVE the Alexloop. It's stealthy (requiring only a 3-4' tripod, performs pretty well on 40 meters and works great on 10, 20 and everything in between, including 11 meters. I just wish it could handle more power and came with remote tuning.
That should be enough to bring the naysayers out in full force.
Over and out. For now.
Just to put it out there, both the Antron 99 and the IMAX 2000 will show a direct DC short if measured with an ohmmeter.
I have seen some guys using a small inductor at the feedpoint of their mobile antenna installs that goes from the center conductor right to ground.
as long as the coil shows a high resistance at 27mhz, it's all good.
this is the same concept used when making common mode chokes with your coax.
x number of turns has y amount of resistance at 2mhz, but has z amount of resistance at 30mhz, making it more suitable for such and such a freq range.
LC
I have seen some guys using a small inductor at the feedpoint of their mobile antenna installs that goes from the center conductor right to ground.
as long as the coil shows a high resistance at 27mhz, it's all good.
this is the same concept used when making common mode chokes with your coax.
x number of turns has y amount of resistance at 2mhz, but has z amount of resistance at 30mhz, making it more suitable for such and such a freq range.
LC
Looking to purchase one for my son.
Size (storage), and generally favorable reviews has me rolling the decision uphill right now.
Any report?
.
Never mind.
Asked Bro Hankey (Larry’s CB Shop) to put together an
11-meter dipole antenna.
Looks nice and price low. Fun to help measure with Wonder Dog supervising. 1943 HALLICRAFTER chugging along.
The gift to son has started to gather contributions from others. Direct and indirect. Liking the idea behind the gift more and more.
.
Asked Bro Hankey (Larry’s CB Shop) to put together an
11-meter dipole antenna.
Looks nice and price low. Fun to help measure with Wonder Dog supervising. 1943 HALLICRAFTER chugging along.
The gift to son has started to gather contributions from others. Direct and indirect. Liking the idea behind the gift more and more.
.
I run a double bazooka in an inverted V in my attic. I made mine from RG213.
I didn't try it for the alleged wide bandwidth, but because of anecdotal comments that it may work better in areas with a lot of metal; my attic certainly qualifies.
Mine works great for local. The inverted V doesn't seem nearly as directional as a flat dipole. In fact, I haven't noticed any sort of a lull. Polarity doesn't seem to be an issue at all talking to mobiles.
It works great for sporadic E openings. No problem making solid contacts Canada to the Caribbean and west to the Rockies. F-layer/TEP you can just about forget it. It ain't happening. When conditions are ripe for 3000+ mile contacts from my mobile, I can't talk to any of them from the house. I'm assuming I have a very high angle of radiation.
Now that I've said all that...I think a dipole configured the same way and located in the same spot, would do the exact same thing.
There is a rectangle 11m full wave loop in my attic. It works ok.
Easy if you have the room. Calculate the full wave loop wire length. Divide that by 3. The two long sides are the 1/3 length, the two short sides are what's left, or 1/6 each.
Mine follows the incline of my 6:12 pitch roof.
Been up there for 10 yrs. Did it for fun and to scratch a curiosity itch.
Easy if you have the room. Calculate the full wave loop wire length. Divide that by 3. The two long sides are the 1/3 length, the two short sides are what's left, or 1/6 each.
Mine follows the incline of my 6:12 pitch roof.
Been up there for 10 yrs. Did it for fun and to scratch a curiosity itch.