2m Dipole for Sota
Last night M6IRU and I decided that we'd go and do a summit G/LD-058 Otherwise known as Arnside Knott. I still have a couple of directors to replace on my ZL special 7 element beam so I got to thinking how can we do this without using the FT-290R's internal antenna?
The answer is this:
A quick fix answer it works on both 2m FM and 2m SSB/ SW just by changing the polarisation. So how was it made.
Parts
- 4" White plastic (waste pipe) tube
- 32" of 1.5" antenna wire
- 1 length of RG58
- PL259
- 3 cable ties
- Alsorted tools
Firstly I cut the 32" of wire into two lengths of 16" and drilled two holes in the plasic pipe near the end, I then stripped the RG58 and threaded it down the middle of the length of the pipe.
Next I placed one of the antenna wires through the first hole and soldered it onto the ground, and then glued the antenna wire in place using some Bostik. Then I repeated the process for the live connector.
Next I took the RG58 and wrapped 5 turns arround the plastic pipe opposite the antenna creating a Choke Balun this I cable tied together.
Then I stripped the other end of the RG58 and added the PL259. Finally all that was left to do was to SWR meter and trim the antenna, luckly I found the lengths spot on.
Does it work? Yes rather well, I will give a full report after the Activation. So remember You can make an antenna out of any old household scraps. even Coathangers.
28/11/2008