Beam Antenna Recommendations

[ok bowhunter]

I have been thinking on upgrading to a Yagi antenna (10 to 80m) and have never had my hand on one yet so I don't know much on how they work. What are the needed components to get up and running? I have a Yaesu FT450D and a MFJ 949E antenna tuner. My space is limited and I do not have the room for guy wires. I have been thinking on mounting the mast to my chimney, but do not know how high I will need to go up for the antenna. I know that I will have to compromise and limit the bands for the best performance. Other than the antenna, mast, and rotor what else would I need? I considered verticals, but I do not have the room for radials.

Thanks

 

[binrat]

Alpha Delta dxcc?? I think they are 82' long.

 

[KC9Q]

If you're looking for a small/compact beam, look at a Hex Beam. There are several manufactures out there. Most can be turned with a TV type rotor. Most can be made to cover 6 through 20 Meters, and if you have the room maybe 40 Meters also. 80 Meters would still be quit large for a Hex Beam, if anybody makes it for that band. Many are installed on fiberglass push-up type mast at a height of 30 ft. So mounting it on your chimney would be no problem.

 

[Mudfoot]

Unless he has a crappy chimney and a slate roof.

 

[Captain Kilowatt]

Unless he has a crappy chimney and a slate roof.

I hate the idea of a chimney mount. I have seen the mortar crack and loosen bricks from the long term vibrations due to the wind action on the antenna. I would go with a short roof tripod mount instead nd then you could go with a slightly bigger antenna.

 

[gamegetter]

Welcome to the forum.

Do be careful with that chimney. Inspect carefully. You asked what else do i need? I will suggest a tower.


Take some time and think it through.

Good day.

 

[hookedon6]

I have been thinking on upgrading to a Yagi antenna (10 to 80m) .... My space is limited and I do not have the room for guy wires...Thanks

I don't think you "can get there fom here"


even a 1/4 wl on 80 is about 120 feet,... untrapped yagi's on 78/80 are BIG!!!

put up a dipole cut fot the lowest freq you want on 75/80 ,...feed it with 450 ohm ladder line and use a tuner on the higher bands**Jump_im**

good luck

 

[Captain Kilowatt]

I don't think you "can get there fom here"


even a 1/4 wl on 80 is about 120 feet,... untrapped yagi's on 78/80 are BIG!!!

put up a dipole cut fot the lowest freq you want on 75/80 ,...feed it with 450 ohm ladder line and use a tuner on the higher bands**Jump_im**

good luck

Try a half wave dipole is about 135 feet or so from end to end depending on what part of the band it is cut for.

 

[EDUK8TR]

Look into the Hex Beam for 20-6M. (I'm biased on this choice because I use one). Small turning radius, light weight and good bang for the buck. Put up a wire antenna for the other bands and feed it with ladder or window line and use your tuner with it. As for mounting the Hex. Inspect your chimney for its condition before mounting anything to it. The Hex has a low wind profile and shouldn't have a large stress on it. Other wise us a mast that can be ground mounted and attached to the side of your building for support. Hope this helps!

73

Wayne C.

 

[hookedon6]

i mis-typed on my prev comment and said 1/4 wl vs 1/2 wl,........... 135 feet is a good starting point ...a nd then trim a little

BTW MFJ just sent me new catalouge,... i'm NOT a fan of DC toDAYLIHGT antenas,.......... but this AoG (act of god) antena may interest you. the price seems reasonable and it doesn't REQUIRE a tower or radials MFJ Enterprises Inc.

YMMV good luck

 

[binrat]

Try a half wave dipole is about 135 feet or so from end to end depending on what part of the band it is cut for.

Back to my suggestion of a DXCC dipole. Inverter V would be shorter overall. I've seen a full non trapped 40 metres 5 element yagi. Its huge. I've seen a 75 metres wire 3 element yagi that was done in a cleared out landing strip, that shocked me as well.

 

[wavrider]

A yagi 10 through 20 meter trapped is pretty good if you can get it up around 50' or higher.

If you add 40 meters onto it then need to get it up around 65' to 70' to get any performance out of the 40 meter section, 1/2 wl. in height.

A Mosley TA-53 or whatever manufacture you want to purchase from trapped 10 through 20 meter including warcs will work real well.

Use verticals for DX on 40 and 80 meters, for rag chew the old dependable dipole works well on 40 and 80m.