Well, first call out tonight with the homebrew 4 element yagi on 50.125ssb, success! It was only a local Fort Collins contact to Rick K0RSC, but it sounded great. I’ll continue to play around with tuning this weekend during the June VHF contest. Hopefully there will be lots of chances to make contacts.
Here is the latest piece of the 6 meter yagi antenna I’m designing / building. Since my plan is to use a hairpin match, the driven element needs to be isolated from the boom. I used ABS 1″ diameter plastic rod, and epoxied 1/2″ diameter x 1″ long pieces of aluminum rod, which had already been drilled and tapped for 1/4-20 whips. The notch had to be deeper to match the offset on my reflector and driven element mounts, as shown.
Tonight I mocked up the new antenna. I am using some leftover parts for the tripod/mast. I turned a simple bushing to mount the mast to the tripod. The antenna is about 16′ high on this mast. The driven element is not finished yet. I picked up some 1″ ABS round on Friday, and will make the 1/4-20 mounts with that plastic to isolate it from the boom.
I have the upper 2 sections of a telescoping mast left over from another project, and a new surplus Bogen tripod. To fit the mast sections to my tripod, and had to turn a bushing adapter. Tonight I finished that part and tested the fit.
I will guy this setup when there is an antenna mounted. I’m hoping it will be sturdy enough to support my 10′ 6 meter yagi and my Arrow 4 element yagi at the same time.
Getting ready for field day 2013, I decided to build my own 6m 4 element Yagi antenna. My goal is to have something that’s portable, with a bit of directional gain. If it turns out light enough, it could be useful for some of the easier SOTA activations and maybe the Colorado 14er event.
I am modeling this antenna after the Buddipole antenna system. I would have just purchased those parts, but they do add up fast, and I have my own machine shop!
Counter-sink tool
My Jet BD1331 lathe
Partially finished parts
3/4″ end mill
With Buddipole featherweight whips installed and extended
Close-up of whips installed in rotating collars. 1/4″-20 threads
