An Alternative View to Homebrew
To all of you who are encouraging homebrewing of antennas I say "Thanks". It is a lot easier, and sometimes cheaper, to purchase a production antenna. Clearly it supports those who run those establishments. On the other hand, there are those among us who do not simply wish to buy and talk, or rattle someone's receive. We want to do something of our own, and are willing to take any performance hits that might bring. I have made some antennas I've scrapped because they were less than stellar performers. I have made some that are phenomenal performers, too, and the 4 element Yagi homebrew in the air now differs nothing from any I could have purchased - tubing, connections, Gamma . . . the difference is it is the joint enterprising effort of a friend and myself, and no amount of arguing otherwise changes its great performance or the satisfaction I've derived from its making and its use, as have operators in Ireland, England, Hawaii, Italy. New Zealand, Australia/Tasmania, across Canada, The West Coast, Jamaica, Bermuda, Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and other points on the globe. I am operating less than 50 AVG Watts. My system is my antenna. It works.
My several other homebrews have given me satisfaction, too. I am well aware of when they are sub-standard performers, and when they rock the house, and neither discourages me, while both encourage me.
Should I give up and go spend $$ on a store-bought one? Only if all I want to do is wiggle or rattle someone's receive. . .
I do not mean to be combative, but neither am I willing to be ignorant.
As I understand it, Amateur Radio operators are responsible for HUGE strides in electronics/communications development. I say, "All Hail the Homebrewers!!
