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Step 5Tweaking, Tuning & Using
Not only will this antenna function well as an RDF unit, it will also tune well for transmit on 2 meters.
The SWR is adjusted by tweaking the distance between the driven elements. Mine is set at 1 inch for a 1.3:1 match.
The radio I use is an old Realistic HTX-202.. I was getting some RF on the feedline causing the rig show an error message. I wound 7 turns of the coax around the pipe that connects to the reflector & secured it with wire ties and electrical tape.. That cleared the problem.. Depending on your use, you may or may not need this step.
Using the antenna for RDF is easy.. USE the BACKSIDE to find the NULL. (second photo). The front lobe has quite a wide beam width but the null on the cardoidal pattern tells you much better especially when you get closer to the source. Watch your S-Meter as you swing the beam from side to side. The weakest signal strength indicates the direction.
If you bought a 10 foot section of pipe, the remainder can be used as a mast of sorts. Just insert the end of it into the cross that holds the driven elements. With 6-8 feet of coax this allows plenty to reach the rig.
This antenna folds up nicely to fit behind a car seat or for storage.. (third photo)
The SWR is adjusted by tweaking the distance between the driven elements. Mine is set at 1 inch for a 1.3:1 match.
The radio I use is an old Realistic HTX-202.. I was getting some RF on the feedline causing the rig show an error message. I wound 7 turns of the coax around the pipe that connects to the reflector & secured it with wire ties and electrical tape.. That cleared the problem.. Depending on your use, you may or may not need this step.
Using the antenna for RDF is easy.. USE the BACKSIDE to find the NULL. (second photo). The front lobe has quite a wide beam width but the null on the cardoidal pattern tells you much better especially when you get closer to the source. Watch your S-Meter as you swing the beam from side to side. The weakest signal strength indicates the direction.
If you bought a 10 foot section of pipe, the remainder can be used as a mast of sorts. Just insert the end of it into the cross that holds the driven elements. With 6-8 feet of coax this allows plenty to reach the rig.
This antenna folds up nicely to fit behind a car seat or for storage.. (third photo)
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Jun 4, 2009. 6:15 PMKI6WTX
says:
can it be used as a transmitter and well, for 5 watts (what my hand held can put out) it sure would be useful when im just out side of a repeater....
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Jul 5, 2009. 5:11 PMFN64 (author)
says:
Sorry for the late reply OM.. been out of the country.. YES.. it works well. thats the reason for the hairpin match and the choke coil to keep rf off the braid.. I've run 25 watts without problems but when I tried 50 it caused errors in the rig due to near field RF. Should be a great boost for a 5 watt HT.. Thanks for the comment N1MLF...Jon
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Jul 6, 2009. 12:25 PMKI6WTX
says:
ok, do you think that it would work on 50watts?
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