• You can now help support WorldwideDX when you shop on Amazon at no additional cost to you! Simply follow this Shop on Amazon link first and a portion of any purchase is sent to WorldwideDX to help with site costs.
  • Click here to find out how to win free radios from Retevis!

Base antenna rebuild

roadrage

Active Member
I have an aluminum base antenna for 11M that my stepfather threw off the roof of his hunting camp. He was going putting up an antenna for his cell phone booster and needed the room. It was on its way to the dump so I asked if I could have it.

I haven't measured it, but the vertical is about 18'. It has 4 grounding radials that are tapered aluminum rod. 3 of the radials will be able to be re-used after a little straightening. The 4th one had the misfortune of breaking the fall. I was going to use an aluminum tent pole, but I can't find one. I do have a 10' stick of 1/2" copper pipe. Could I use 1 strait copper pipe and 3 tapered aluminum rods for the grounding radials, or is the odd metal going to affect the radiation pattern?
 

There wasn't a matching coil on it when I went to pick it up. He pretty much unfastened it from the pedistal and tossed it to the ground. The antenna was dragged into the woods at the edge of his property. If it did have a coil, when it was mounted on the roof, I don't know because he had already taken it down by the time I saw it. I don't think he removed anything from the antenna, but who knows.

I checked out that site binrat, and a couple others. I got the idea of the matching coil. I wish I knew the manufacturer of this antenna and I could research if it was meant to have one. I have seen two antennas, in my town, that look identical to the one I have with one exception. They have only 3 radials and mine has 4. Neither of them have the coil. If it didn't come with one, would it be beneficial to make one? If yes, would I be able to use some 3/8 SS tubing (transmission cooling lines) as they would be easy to bend in a circle.
 

dxChat
Help Users
  • No one is chatting at the moment.
  • @ kopcicle:
    If you know you know. Anyone have Sam's current #? He hasn't been on since Oct 1st. Someone let him know I'm looking.
  • dxBot:
    535A has left the room.
  • @ AmericanEagle575:
    Just wanted to say Good Morning to all my Fellow WDX members out there!!!!!