A Two Dollar Helical HF Portable Antenna

NOTE: this web page was written in 2001. Prices have gone up considerably since them.

This antenna was created as a fun project to illustrate that you don't have to spend a fortune to enjoy amateur radio operations. It is NOT  to be considered as an efficient antenna, or even a good one. Consider it a bootstrap device to get you started.

For more information on better antennas, please get a copy of Practical Anenna  Handbook by Joseph J Carr, The Antenna Book by ARRL or any of the dozens of antenna books available.

Please do not ask for clarification or optimization ideas. Use it for fun and graduate to a better antenna as you grow in the hobby.

Here’s an easily transportable vertical antenna for 20 meters collapsible to 4 feet that costs about $2.00 to make.

This was created as a fun project to demonstrate how to enjoy operating HF in the field with a home-made portable antenna without spending a ton of money.

Bev AH6NF (YL) made this antenna, tuned and ready to operate in less than one hour.

The design is a continuously loaded, helically wound vertical antenna with a three-foot stinger. The stinger folds along the four-foot mast for storage. Here’s how to make one.

Materials:

Total cost = $2.00

Steps:

ha-top2.jpg
ha-top2.jpg
top screw connection

44.93 Kb
ha-top1.jpg
ha-top1.jpg
stinger attachment

60.01 Kb
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ha-tip4.jpg
eye protection

16.63 Kb
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ha-bottom3.jpg
optional disconnect at bottom

47.02 Kb
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ha-folded5.jpg
antenna with stinger folded

53.75 Kb

 

Bev AH6NF and Jim WH6GS , HF Day, Sept 2001 


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