Yesterday I received an inquiry on how to construct a VHF Coaxial Dipole antenna (known in some circles as the Flowerpot Antenna) for a non-commercial, community two-way radio project operating at 160 MHz. How to work out the antenna dimensions for 160 MHz? Assumption: We know the wavelengths for 144 MHz and 160 MHz, 2.03m…
This 2m yagi antenna is light on the back-pocket and relatively easy to construct. This project starts with an old VHF TV antenna purchased from a local ‘Green’ recycle depot for $5.00 AUD. The repurposed TV antenna was a Phased Array comprised of two aluminium booms and four elements or eight 1/4 wave elements. Each…
Like many in the amateur radio hobby, I have an interest in listening to my local airport air traffic and en route air traffic operating between Sydney – Canberra – Melbourne centres. I am fortunate that my QTH is located in a RF line-of-sight path to Canberra International Airport (13 km east) and an air…
2m Dipole Antenna Construction Project Lightweight portable QRP 2m & 70cm half wave dipole for SOTA or an emergency antenna for the 2m and 70cm Go-box. Parts: Section of nylon kitchen cutting board 50 x 30 mm x 7 mm (2 inch x 1 1/8 inch x 1/4 inch) 2 x 495 mm 6 section…
A homebrew 2m 144.2 MHz vertical 1/2 wave Coaxial Dipole antenna project for your home QTH, SOTA, portable field operations/WICEN exercises or the emergency 2m Go-box. Elsewhere in amateur radio circles this antenna is known as a 2m Flower Pot Antenna. Credits to VK2ZOI (SK). Post updated 5 May 2019, scroll to the bottom for…
A correspondent has asked about the tripod mounting arrangement I use for the Arrow dual band 70cm/2m Yagi. Photos: © Copyright 2016 Andrew VK1AD The SLIK F153 aluminum lightweight tripod is designed to support a camera, however when I spotted the tripod in a local camera store, I immediately visualised a lightweight VHF/UHF Yagi, suitable…
Credits to John VK2ZOI (SK). John’s site is http://vk2zoi.com/articles/half-wave-flower-pot/ Post updates: 9 January 2016. Today from a SOTA peak (Yellow Rabbit Hill) 40 km west of Canberra using this antenna during a sporadic E opening, I worked ZL1SSW (2343 km) on 6m 50.130 MHz. My SOTA rig is a Yaesu FT-857D operating at 25 watts.…
2m Slim Jim portable antenna for SOTA activations The 2m band offers a range of voice and digital transmission modes suitable for SOTA activations. My personal preference is SSB 144.200 MHz however this choice may exclude new-comers to amateur radio, who may be building their war-chest of radio gear. Almost all amateur radio operators have…
Get out of the Radio Shack and Live Life 