Sorry I haven't posted recently. Been very busy with the MITx 6.002x Circuits and Electronics on-line course at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology with professor Anant Agarwal. At the same time I've been up to my elbows in coursework in OCCED7050 at Fitchburg State University, so it's been a very busy month so far.
News: This Saturday 3/17 I will be instructing the ham radio Technician course at the Jordan hospital, hope to see you there.
Here is an article I wrote for the next GARS Club Meeting. During the next club meeting on 3/26, we will be constructing Direction Finding (D.F.) antennas made from PVC pipe and steel tape measures, the nice thing about this antenna you can transmit on it as well with a pretty good SWR. A Kit is available for this antenna build just shoot me an email.
N1IR Tape Measure Beam Antenna
Tools
Hacksaw or PVC pipe cutter
Heavy Duty Scissors
Sand Paper
Soldering Iron and Solder
Qty Material Price Home Depot Stock Number
1 ½” X 10' PVC40 PE PIPIE $1.68 193-682
2 1/2” PVC CROSS SXSXSXS $1.21 795-976
1 1/2” PVC TEE SXSXS $0.30 187-909
6 #12 SS CLAMP 1/2”X1 1/4” $7.86 / bag of 10 602-046 (PRO-PACK)
1 25' TAPE MEASURE $2.96 193-362
1 PVC CEMENT Oatley #31013 $4.44 187-100 (Optional)
1 Electrical Tape $1.97 735-473
1 1' 14 AWG Solid Wire $0.00 Junk Bin
1 3' RG-58 with CRIMP BNC $0.00 Old Scope Probe
CUTTING
Step 1 : Clean PVC Pipe, Pipe tends to be a bit dirty
Step 2: Cut (1) 11.5” inch length of PVC pipe with a hacksaw (Label DRV/DIR)
Step 3: Cut (1) 7” inch length of PVC pipe with a hacksaw (Label DRV/REF)
Step 4: Cut (1) 24” inch length of PVC pipe with a hacksaw (Label Handle)
Step 5: Cut a length of tape measure to 41 3/8 inches (Label Reflector element)Step 6: Cut two lengths of tape measure to 17 3/4 inches (Label Driver element)
Step 7: Cut one length of tape measure to 35 1/8 inches (Label Director element)
Step 8: Cut (1) 5” length of bare 14 AWG Solid Wire, this is the hairpin match
Step 9: Sandpaper corner of 17 3/4 inches Driver element for soldering
ASSEMBLY
Above Picture curiosity of Joe Leggio WB2HOL
HAIR PIN MATCH
ANTENNA FOLDEDFive Turn Choke Optional
