Can I Make My Own Antenna Whips (1 Viewer)

[1FZj80]

I'm new to ham, so this may be a stupid question, but...

I am using a Larson NMO VHF 1/2 wave antenna on my 2m. The antenna whip is 17-7PH stainless steel. I cut the rod to length as recommended for my desired frequency based on the chart from Larsen.

I assume I can use round SS from a metal supplier to make a few spare whips and a few additional lengths to tune other frequencies. Is there anything unique to the rod from Larsen?

 

[george_tlc]

If it's just a whip without a loading coil, then you can make your own/duplicate theirs. Nothing special about a rod of SS...

cheers,
george.

 

[1FZj80]

Loading coil is in the base. So it is just a whip.

Thanks

 

[rusty_tlc]

If you want you can make a whole antenna, playing around with antennas is one of the most enjoyable parts of being a ham. The ARRL antenna handbook is a great resource but you can find lots of home brew antenna plans on the interwebs.

 

[1FZj80]

Thanks for the info rusty.

I just picked up 24' (two 12' rods) of SS from IMS to make a few extra whips. The total cost, $5.03.

 

[Kofoed]

Try making a 5/8 wave whip and see the performance difference, but you need a counterpoise

 

[1FZj80]

That's why I went 1/2 wave, no ground plane. I would have to re-work my mount to get a ground plane as I copied others with a welded tab off the rear lift gate latch point.

Would 5/8 give better range/gain over a 1/2 wave?

I been able to get about 75 miles with 65W. But, don't know if that is good, average or bad for 2m. Like I said in my OP, I'm new and learning with ham.

 

[Kofoed]

The 5/8 has a bit more gain...

 

[rusty_tlc]

Range will be dependent on more than your radio or antenna, terrain is a big factor.

 

[kb4mdz]

Please please please for the sake of safety, find SOME way to make the very end of the whip 'non-sharp'; crimp some sort of ball or other 'knob' on the end, or a way to make a tight circle on the end;

It's one of those far-fetched possiblities of it happening, but if you have ever gotten a sharp object against your eyeball, you would give your left lug-nuts to go back & do something to make it not so sharp.

I once got the point of a holly leaf to the side of my eyeball. We are talking pain. Mucho, blinding unrelenting pain, for what ended up as really just a little scratch (thank God!). I am super paranoid now about any sharp object within arm's reach; just knowing that there's that little ball on the end of an antenna whip I can relax a tiny bit.

I know I may sound like an overcautious old fart, but I've had too many close brushes with danger, and I really really like to keep my eyes.

 

[1FZj80]

Please please please for the sake of safety, find SOME way to make the very end of the whip 'non-sharp'; crimp some sort of ball or other 'knob' on the end, or a way to make a tight circle on the end;

It's one of those far-fetched possiblities of it happening, but if you have ever gotten a sharp object against your eyeball, you would give your left lug-nuts to go back & do something to make it not so sharp.

I once got the point of a holly leaf to the side of my eyeball. We are talking pain. Mucho, blinding unrelenting pain, for what ended up as really just a little scratch (thank God!). I am super paranoid now about any sharp object within arm's reach; just knowing that there's that little ball on the end of an antenna whip I can relax a tiny bit.

I know I may sound like an overcautious old fart, but I've had too many close brushes with danger, and I really really like to keep my eyes.

Agreed. I have ordered these Resilient Rubber Caps from McCar.
http://www.mcmaster.com/#rubber-caps/=p4kct4

 

[rusty_tlc]

This is a 2M top hat capacitance antenna I made that could be used for mobile if you put it in the right housing. I was able to hit repeaters 30 miles away with it. I measured it with a network analyzer and it has 50 ohms +/- 5 ohms pretty much across the ham band.




Here is another, it looks like you could make it from an old fire stick or other CB whip pretty easy.

 

[1FZj80]

That brit lady making a antenna is hilarious.