Now that we have all the dimensions that will put our yagi in the ball park of a good vhf antenna. How to build a 2 meter tape measure yagi for ham radio. Simply download the yagi cad program and put the tape measure beam design file in the same directory. Once you have cut the tape measure to length, put vinyl tape on the cut ends to protect yourself from the sharp edges. The 2 meter tape measure antenna k4ive version are you looking for an easy kid friendly project. This was the first time i have ever soldered anything. Tape measures are commonly used in construction, architecture, building, home projects, crafts, and woodworking. About a simple 7 element yagi calculator the resource is currently listed in in a single category. This project is unusual, so its something that will certainly capture the attention of anyone, particularly a kid.
Use our simple calculator to determine approximate dimensions of materials needed to build a 3element yagi uda antenna, and then shop for your needs on our other pages and select from our inventory of aluminum, fiberglass, coax, connectors, and other parts and accessories for amateur radio and other radio applications. This lightweight antenna is perfect to use for fox hunts or as a portable directional antenna for. Yagio runs under windows 2000, xp, vista, win 7 and likely win 8. That was until i made a qso with k1maz nick while he was doing a sota activation. Ive taken what i learned from the gmrs continue reading homebrew 5 element vhf yagi. It is quite possible, that other calculators deliver slightly different results. Dont forget the driven element red is cut in the centre.
You put in the frequency, boom length, and a few other parameters and it gives you the exact measurements you need. If you would like to experiment a bit with this program, the yagi specification file for this tape measure beam is available for download here. In this article well take that design two steps farther. Does anyone have a link to or plans for a 70cm tape measure yagi. The formula and basics of yagi antenna calculator are also explained with example. Jan, 2014 for completeness this is not the only diy tape measure yagi on instructables so also check out fn64s 2 m band radio direction finding antenna for vhf and manukas 70 cm band 433. There are plenty of plans online to build your own tape measure antenna, but no good step by step video that takes you through the process. Apr 02, 2016 a tape measure is a roll of metal tape with measurement markings on and is used for measuring. Does anyone have a link to drawings and build instructions for a 2m tape measure yagi. The ends of the elements were rounded with tin snips to eliminate the need for taping or plastic coating the sharp edges. Jan 08, 2012 nevertheless, here are my tape measure beam observations.
They usually come in lengths from 6 feet to 35 feet long. This reduces their gain and directivity, and, when its really blowing, makes them useless. This link is listed in our web site directory since tuesday oct 30 2007, and till today a simple 7 element yagi calculator has been followed for a total of 25036 times. The wb2hol tape measure beam is one of the standards for transmitter hunting. Antenna design calculators category is a curation of 83 web resources on, parallel square conductor transmission line calculator, analysis of antenna mast strength and bending stress, full wave loop antenna calculator. About tape measure yagi antenna the resource is currently listed in in a single category. For completeness this is not the only diy tape measure yagi on instructables so also check out fn64s 2 m band radio direction finding antenna for vhf and manukas 70 cm band 433. I will be using this handheld at the park maybe or to try to reach repeaters that may be out of my area. This antenna is designed for the 2 meter amateur radio band. I stumbled across this spreadsheet for calculating the spacing and lengths of elements for yagi antennas.
Since ive built a ton of jpoles and wire antennas, ive wanted to build something different. After seeing a lot of articles written about making a three element yagi using pvc and a tape measure, i was interested but not excited about it. Hurst amateur radio club uhf tape measure yagi foxhunt. I started this project after building my first mono band moxon for 15 mtr band. This page shows a 7 element, yagi beam antenna built out of spare parts for the 70 cm band.
Craftsman tape measure, chrome classic, 25foot cmht37325s. It tends to be even more sensitive to polarity and spin of the satellite. Sota homebrew 23cm 12 element yagi antenna vk1 sota. Simply rotate the tape till the tab of the spring can be slid through the slot in the tape. The below image is the measurements of the antenna. Simply download the yagicad program and put the tape measure beam design file in the same directory. Dl6wu yagi calculator spreadsheet worldwidedx radio forum.
Tape measure vhf uhf yagi antenna one of the most fun amateur antenna projects is a pvc measuring tape antenna. If you decide you really need a yagi with more elements, here are the lengths of them. Zl2aps tape measure yagi for 70cm testing a 2m tape measure yagi one of my videos testing reception of a satellite the main disadvantage of tape measure yagis especially those on 2m is that in moderate to high winds their elements flex. Since the design for the tape measure antenna is available online we are sharing with you the design for. Using the traditional 2m tape measure beam performs very poorly on so50 or receiving any cubesats with a weak downlink.
A simple 7 element yagi calculator resource detail the. Jul 19, 2015 dual band tape measure yagi antenna july 19, 2015 amateur satellite, antennas, ham radio amateur radio, antenna, ham radio, satellite, saudisat 1c, so50, yagi michael while i wait for my arrow antenna to arrive, i thought i would experiment and build a dual band tape measure yagi since i already had most of the parts on hand. Long yagis are commonly used from the 144mhz amateur band to the 2. The yagiuda antenna is probably the most commonly recognized directional antenna in existence today. Sharp el1901 paperless printing calculator with check and correct, 12digit lcd primary display, functions the same as a printing calculatoradding machine with scrolling lcd display instead of paper. Maple leaf communications antenna calculator 3element yagi. After a couple of failed yagis and the help of another ham on forums, i finally built a yagi that works. Yagi tape measure antenna by osuaeronerd is licensed under the creative commons attribution noncommercial license.
The tapemeasure antenna is a simple, handheld 2 meter yagi. Tape measure yagis so named because the elements are made from a metal measuring tape have become very popular in the last few years, especially for rdf and emcom work, because theyre simple to make, inexpensive, lightweight, portable, and easily stored. Yagi calculator this is where you input the center frequency in megahertz. With the few tests i done so far it seems to be great at finding stations. The calculators for other antenna types such as parabolic,horn,dipole and patch are also mentioned. This link is listed in our web site directory since monday feb 18 2008, and till today 7db tape measure yagi beam for rdf has been followed for a total of 4039 times. Here is a list of equipment that you will need to bring to the class to build your very own 2meter tape measure yagi. The tape measure antenna is a home brew 2 meter antenna made out of pvc pipe and a steel tape measure. How to build a yagi antenna out of a tape measure ham. Yagio is similar to lpcad, it uses keyboard commands instead of a mouse menu. This will be the director of the antenna and will attach to the front of the antenna. Tape measure yagi the leading glock forum and community.
Oct, 2017 in this tutorial we will look at how you can build a yagi beam antenna for 2 meter ham radio out of a tape measure and a few easy to find parts. Using the moxgen software the calculated dimensions for the elements were. The main category is antenna design calculators that is about antenna design calculators. Building the wb2hol foxhunting beam by g3zoi updated 32005 the design of the wb2hol 2m tape measure yagi shows a great piece of lateral thinking, it is also is proven to be highly practical for foxhunts and ardf. If there is any wind, forget trying to use the antenna.
The main category is antennas for vhf uhf bands that is about antennas for vhf and uhf radio bands. This is where you input the center frequency in megahertz. About 7db tape measure yagi beam for rdf the resource is currently listed in in 3 categories. If you are going to mount the antenna, set it up so the antenna will be forward of the mounts.
Nevertheless, here are my tapemeasure beam observations. The antenna is useful especially if you want a portable antenna for back packing etc. If you pull the tape past its end, youll find that its connected to a spring. This lightweight antenna is perfect to use for fox hunts or as a portable directional antenna for public service events. You can select 16ths, 32nds, 64ths, or 100ths precision values.
This calculator is designed to give the critical information of a particular beam antenna, in this case a three element yagi, for the frequency chosen. Construction plans for a tape measure yagi antenna, used to find hidden transmitters and fox transmitters. Simply download the yagi cad program and put the tape. Usually the tape is yellow and rolled in a plastic case. Software modeling programs show that this antenna should have a gain of 7. Once you have cut the tape measure to length, put vinyl tape on. Since the 2m yagi can receive so50 i know i could just make a second 2m version, but i figured i could use the 70cm version to work 440 on some sota work. Hurst amateur radio club uhf tape measure yagi foxhunt antenna. So we started with the moxon antenna, then we made the 3 element tape measure yagi beam which was also successful. You can use these antennas for fox hunting, summits on the air or just hitting a distant repeater. Liked by view all give a shout out if you print this thing and display it in public proudly give attribution by printing and displaying this tag. First, well reduce cost and then well add oscar sat ellite mode j capacity.
Calling england from france on uhf with rt3s radio and yagiuda. The boom, plastic inserts are all from a broken tv antenna. This page covers 3 element yagi antenna calculator. Oct 28, 2019 downloads for the projects on the vk5dj website. Hurst amateur radio club uhf tape measure yagi foxhunt antenna 1 2 1 1 4 1 8 hairpin match 12 or 14 awg solid copper wire form to shape sand away paint solder coax and hairpin match to driven element on tape ends to bare metal view a 11 16 spacing 5 turns rg58 coax and wrap with tape center freq. This calculator is designed to give the critical information of a particular beam antenna, in this case a seven element yagi, for the frequency chosen. This project is unusual, so its something that will certainly capture the attention of anyone, particularly a k. Yagi uda antenna calculator you may want to combine it with a folded dipole.
Wc7i provides a calculator for a 3 element yagi design. There are plenty of plans online to build your own tape measure antenna. Tape measure beam optimized for radio direction finding joe leggio wb2hol descriptio n this antenna evolved during my search for a beam with a really great fronttoback ratio to use in hidden transmitter hunts. Enter the desired frequency then click on calculate and the optimum values for that combination will be displayed in feet, inches and fractions of. How to build a yagi antenna out of a tape measure ham radio. Feb 07, 2017 the 2 meter band tape measure beam antenna is a 3 element yagi with about 7. Are you looking for a project to encourage a new generation of ham radio operators. Tape measure yagi beam antenna parts list 1 25 foot 1 inch wide steel tape measure 1 10 foot piece of 34 inch schedule 40 pvc tube 2 34 inch pvc cross connectors 2 34 inch. I decided on a 3 element yagi built for gmrs that is directly fed with 50ohm coax. This calculator that converts decimal values to fractions is very useful on projects where a tape measure is being used. Tape measure vhfuhf yagi antenna one of the most fun amateur antenna projects is a pvc measuring tape antenna. Yagi antennas may suffer in performance if mounted elsewhere, like the center of the boom. The flexible measuring tapes make it easy to transport, and the pvc comes apart to make it even easier to carry.
Yagi tape measure antenna by osuaeronerd thingiverse. The online fraction calculator calculates the fraction value of any decimal number. Free online engineering calculator to find the dimensions of a yagi uda antenna for a given frequency range and length. Now its time to step it up just a little bit and fabricate a bigger antenna. You will then be able to experiment with the design. How to build a 70cm tape measure yagi antenna youtube. Tape measure beam work the oscar ham satellites or go transmitter hunting with this inexpensive portable dual band handheld tape measure yagi. Simply twist the tape so it disconnects from the spring. The separation will remain the same for all the elements and the lengths of these extra directors will all be the same as the 1st director. Sota homebrew 23cm 12 element yagi antenna get out of.
The main category is ham radio directional yagi antennas that is about yagi antennas for ham radio use, manufacturers, plans and design. Due to material, i decided on a 5 element yagi built for vhf since all i would have to buy is more 38. Yagi calculator is a windows program that also runs well on linux, ubuntu 8. The yagi uda antenna is probably the most commonly recognized directional antenna in existence today. John portune, w6nbc any hams have made 2 meter lape hunting. This antenna is designed for twometer operations, which, for a newbie ham operator, is one of the bands available under the technician license in the us. For more information on tape measure yagis, check out the following links. In this tutorial we will look at how you can build a yagi beam antenna for 2 meter ham radio out of a tape measure and a few easy to find parts. The package includes a 2el hb9vc pcb yagi which has turned out to be a great addition for portable work, particularly from a hilltop with a good uninterrupted view. I decided to try to make contact with nick on vhf as it continue reading vhf 3el tape measure yagi.
I did my first fox hunt more than 15 years ago and built a tape measure yagi antenna for that purpose. The spring will recoil into the case and the tape will be ready for trimming. Enter the desired frequency then click on calculate and the optimum values for that combination will be displayed in feet, inches and fractions of inches, and in meters. The software will end up fine tuning the elements and spacing between elements to obtain the best swr for the giving variables i. The 2 meter band tape measure beam antenna is a 3 element yagi with about 7. The dl6wu yagi is highly regarded as being easy to build with repeatable results, broad bandwidth and a useful pattern. Measure and cut the four lengths you will need for this antenna cutting chart. Camden county amateur radio society georgia ccars inc. I want to make a 70cm to match my 2m tape measure yagi so i can use my secondary ht to make it easier to work so50. The package includes a 2el hb9vc pcb yagi which has turned out to be a great addition for portable work, particularly from a hilltop with a good uninterrupted view of the horizon.
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