Hola, Patrons of WWRF!
We have talked about all kinds of antennas out here and other than Robalo, I don't know of many who are actually building and playing with them.
So I thought, why not have a little antenna building party right here on the WWRF during these next few winter months. Not only will you learn how to build your own beam, you'll learn the WHY behind the designs and WHY the elements are so long and WHY we use "x" amount of overlap, etc! I'm NOT going to spell out every little detail however; you will be required to THINK!
You can build a 3, 4 or 5 element yagi beam; I'll leave that up to you and include plans to build all three. If we do this right (and I usually do), you can start with a 3 element design (if that's all the money you have available for this project) and add directors later if you choose!
The plan will be to build this antenna with readily available parts and materials. Your antenna will NOT be some piece of crap and will most likely outperform your standard Maco. Chances are that you will have to spend a few dollars to do it right, too!
We will use the following materials and the quantity of tubes will be determined by the needs of your project.
(Boom = 6061-T6)
2" x .125"
(Elements = 6063-T832)
7/8" x .058" (for HD version)
3/4" x .058"
5/8" x .058"
1/2" x .058"
You can check with your local aluminum supplier for availability. This material is also available from Texas Towers and shipped via UPS (up to 6' lengths): http://www.texastowers.com/aluminum.htm
All aluminum will be 6' long and cut as needed. Local aluminum houses sell raw material in 12' lengths. You need to do the math if you buy lengths other than described.
We will also be buying hardware from DX Engineering and McMaster CARR. Again, if you have a local supplier, you are free to use them!
This antenna will handle an easy 5KW. Some will argue that you can buy a Maco for cheaper. They are probably right. However, you will not buy a BETTER antenna from Maco!
We'll get started shortly so start to think how many elements you want!
We have talked about all kinds of antennas out here and other than Robalo, I don't know of many who are actually building and playing with them.
So I thought, why not have a little antenna building party right here on the WWRF during these next few winter months. Not only will you learn how to build your own beam, you'll learn the WHY behind the designs and WHY the elements are so long and WHY we use "x" amount of overlap, etc! I'm NOT going to spell out every little detail however; you will be required to THINK!
You can build a 3, 4 or 5 element yagi beam; I'll leave that up to you and include plans to build all three. If we do this right (and I usually do), you can start with a 3 element design (if that's all the money you have available for this project) and add directors later if you choose!
The plan will be to build this antenna with readily available parts and materials. Your antenna will NOT be some piece of crap and will most likely outperform your standard Maco. Chances are that you will have to spend a few dollars to do it right, too!
We will use the following materials and the quantity of tubes will be determined by the needs of your project.
(Boom = 6061-T6)
2" x .125"
(Elements = 6063-T832)
7/8" x .058" (for HD version)
3/4" x .058"
5/8" x .058"
1/2" x .058"
You can check with your local aluminum supplier for availability. This material is also available from Texas Towers and shipped via UPS (up to 6' lengths): http://www.texastowers.com/aluminum.htm
All aluminum will be 6' long and cut as needed. Local aluminum houses sell raw material in 12' lengths. You need to do the math if you buy lengths other than described.
We will also be buying hardware from DX Engineering and McMaster CARR. Again, if you have a local supplier, you are free to use them!
This antenna will handle an easy 5KW. Some will argue that you can buy a Maco for cheaper. They are probably right. However, you will not buy a BETTER antenna from Maco!
We'll get started shortly so start to think how many elements you want!
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