wannabetravlin
02-02-2008, 12:03 AM
Have you ever wanted to take your HF rig with you but didn't want the hassle with having to carry all that extra stuff for erecting antenna arrays.
Well, I've been using one of those coaxial bazooka antennas. You can make the whole thing out of coax and the total height is only 14 feet using two pieces of PVC for the center height and tying the ends in trees or whatever is available. Just remember to keep the ends at least 6 feet off the ground. I'm using the black UV protected 1/8" rope to keep the ends off the ground. The coax is the old RG58CU type braided center. You heard correctly...its only 14 feet high. But, if you've got some great trees around it really rocks at 40 feet at the apex. But, usually I was never that lucky so I would just use the pvc.
My favorite is the 80 meter version. I'm up and running in 15 minutes and usually good for a 900 mile radius with only a 100 watts.
If you've never seen one go on the internet and type in double bazooka antenna in your search field. You'll find all kinds of different versions to build or you can even buy one if you want.
Almost forgot...I'm not using the twin lead for the ends. I'm using all coax to make the antenna and it's almost flat for most of the band. Whole thing rolls up into a 18" coil for easy storage.
Here is a web site for a calculator for building the antenna:
http://www.dxzone.com/cgi-bin/dir/jump2.cgi?ID=5477
Try it...you like it!!
Well, I've been using one of those coaxial bazooka antennas. You can make the whole thing out of coax and the total height is only 14 feet using two pieces of PVC for the center height and tying the ends in trees or whatever is available. Just remember to keep the ends at least 6 feet off the ground. I'm using the black UV protected 1/8" rope to keep the ends off the ground. The coax is the old RG58CU type braided center. You heard correctly...its only 14 feet high. But, if you've got some great trees around it really rocks at 40 feet at the apex. But, usually I was never that lucky so I would just use the pvc.
My favorite is the 80 meter version. I'm up and running in 15 minutes and usually good for a 900 mile radius with only a 100 watts.
If you've never seen one go on the internet and type in double bazooka antenna in your search field. You'll find all kinds of different versions to build or you can even buy one if you want.
Almost forgot...I'm not using the twin lead for the ends. I'm using all coax to make the antenna and it's almost flat for most of the band. Whole thing rolls up into a 18" coil for easy storage.
Here is a web site for a calculator for building the antenna:
http://www.dxzone.com/cgi-bin/dir/jump2.cgi?ID=5477
Try it...you like it!!