Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

best antenna

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • Originally posted by peterhr View Post
    I've made up the simple half wave dipole, with amplifier and put it outside - it's a temporary rig made up of bit's I had in the hobby room and shed. I will take it down within the next two weeks.

    The amplifier is powered off a 12 Netgear Router PSU, the reciever is using the extra Baspberry Pi + Dongle I have for the feeder project

    coax used for the dipole has a segmented polythene tube with 6 segments as air gaps.

    View the results here http://goo.gl/1D0QaL - range is 150-175nm. Pictures...

    One shows the dipole + amplifier with what is required for rain protection ... fixed to a gallows on a bamboo pole.

    the other shows the bamboo pole loosely fixed to the main antenna mast - I'd have like to have got it higher but didn't have the coax length required

    I'll post up a virtual radar plot once I've collected a couple of hours of data (done, the range rings are at 25nm)

    [ATTACH=CONFIG]4651[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]4652[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]4653[/ATTACH]
    I've moved it up the mast, it's now 30 cm below the of the collinear (and is wired using lower grade TV antenna coax for the downlead) - range is now 200-225nm in the best direction.

    Bearing in mind that my commercial collinear with similar amplifier gets around 240nm - I think this dipole is performance is very reasonable bearing in mind that it cost maybe $20 for all the parts including the downlead.

    I'm running virtual radar now and will post a plot when it's been running a an hour or two.

    Capture.PNG

    There you go, the outermost ring is at 225nm - this is about an hour of capture, unfortunately not seen many flights in the SW. The land rises to SE so we don't do so well there either
    Last edited by peterhr; 2014-08-27, 18:15.

    Comment


    • Originally posted by peterhr View Post
      I've moved it up the mast, it's now 30 cm below the of the collinear (and is wired using lower grade TV antenna coax for the downlead) - range is now 200-225nm in the best direction.

      Bearing in mind that my commercial collinear with similar amplifier gets around 240nm - I think this dipole is performance is very reasonable bearing in mind that it cost maybe $20 for all the parts including the downlead.

      I'm running virtual radar now and will post a plot when it's been running a an hour or two.

      [ATTACH=CONFIG]4655[/ATTACH]

      There you go, the outermost ring is at 225nm - this is about an hour of capture, unfortunately not seen many flights in the SW. The land rises to SE so we don't do so well there either
      CONGRATULATIONS!!!
      Your efforts finally brought fruit.

      Your experiment proves that an amplified low gain antenna gives almost the same range as an amplified high gain antenna.

      This is the point I have been trying to advocate all through the time I have been member of this forum.

      I have always stressed to install an amplifier as first priority, and after that go for the option of a better antenna.

      Comment


      • One thing i like to mention is that thinner the wire of which an antenna is made, narrower is its band width, and it rejects the adjuscent bands more effectively.

        Hence a 1090Mhz Dipole/Franklin/Coiled Whip, made of core of RG6 coax (18AWG/1mm dia) rejects cellular signal lnterference more effectively than:

        (1) A Dipole/Franklin/Coiled Whip made up of 3mm or 5mm dia tube/wire.
        (2) A Coco made of RG6 coax, whose all receiving elements are 4.5mm dia braid of the coax of which the coco is made.
        Last edited by abcd567; 2014-08-28, 00:26.

        Comment


        • Originally posted by abcd567 View Post
          CONGRATULATIONS!!!
          Your efforts finally brought fruit.

          Your experiment proves that an amplified low gain antenna gives almost the same range as an amplified high gain antenna.

          This is the point I have been trying to advocate all through the time I have been member of this forum.

          I have always stressed to install an amplifier as first priority, and after that go for the option of a better antenna.
          I didn't make the dipole particularly carefully either, the polythene tube over the elements probably detuned it a little so the should have probably been shortened. It's worth also noting that if it had been a foam insulated coax that was used - that that is a sponge and will allow water to travel back down the wire to the amplifier.

          Shall we put this in a separate thread "Working Home Brew Antennas - Amplified Dipole" with photo's how to construct and suggestions where to buy the pieces as post #1?

          Comment


          • Originally posted by peterhr View Post
            I didn't make the dipole particularly carefully either, the polythene tube over the elements probably detuned it a little so the should have probably been shortened. It's worth also noting that if it had been a foam insulated coax that was used - that that is a sponge and will allow water to travel back down the wire to the amplifier.
            If test rig is at lower level, where it is easy to access, dipole can be trimmed, a millimeter or two at a time, and tried, till the optimum length is reached. YWYY has mentioned trimming his fg whip after applying heat shrink tube. He may give some practical tips on how to do the trimming.

            Originally posted by peterhr View Post
            Shall we put this in a separate thread "Working Home Brew Antennas - Amplified Dipole" with photo's how to construct and suggestions where to buy the pieces as post #1?
            Good idea. Go ahead and create a seperate thread as you have proposed.

            Comment


            • Originally posted by abcd567 View Post
              If test rig is at lower level, where it is easy to access, dipole can be trimmed, a millimeter or two at a time, and tried, till the optimum length is reached. YWYY has mentioned trimming his fg whip after applying heat shrink tube. He may give some practical tips on how to do the trimming.
              Nah, it's above roof level, probably 8-9m above ground level - it's a PITA to get to.

              Comment


              • Originally posted by peterhr View Post
                Nah, it's above roof level, probably 8-9m above ground level - it's a PITA to get to.
                YWYY's fibreglass whip is also intalled at top of a pole. Maybe he can give some guidance on how he trimmed his FG whip.

                Comment


                • Originally posted by peterhr View Post
                  Nah, it's above roof level, probably 8-9m above ground level - it's a PITA to get to.
                  Originally posted by abcd567 View Post
                  YWYY's fibreglass whip is also intalled at top of a pole. Maybe he can give some guidance on how he trimmed his FG whip.
                  My antenna is located 60 ft above ground. Still I can reach it without climbing, only by raising my arm. Reason: I live in an apartment which is 60ft above ground, and my antenna is inside my aprtment close to large glass window. I should do this trimming excersise. I plan to sacrifice one 1/2 wavelength dipole on this trimming excersise, possibly this weekend.
                  Last edited by abcd567; 2014-08-29, 04:25.

                  Comment


                  • Originally posted by abcd567 View Post
                    My antenna is located 60 ft above ground. Still I can reach it without climbing, only by raising my arm. Reason: I live in an apartment which is 60ft above ground, and my antenna is inside my aprtment close to large glass window. I should do this trimming excersise. I plan to sacrifice one 1/2 wavelength dipole on this trimming excersise, possibly this weekend.
                    Only problem with yours is the steel reinforcing of the window frame and ensuring that the antenna is consistently positioned with respect to that frame. It would be excellent of the window could be opened and the antenna be fixed to a lightweight support (meccano) fixed to the glass by suckers. I doubt if the windows open. (should it come unstuck, the coax would stop it falling and save you having to reach down 60 feet to retrieve it)

                    Comment


                    • Originally posted by abcd567 View Post
                      YWYY's fibreglass whip is also intalled at top of a pole. Maybe he can give some guidance on how he trimmed his FG whip.
                      Hi mate, when I was testing my whip I had it mounted on a temporary mast near the back porch, I could reach it from a stepladder. The reception distance wasn't good but I left it there for about a week, trimming 1 mm each day till it was receiving max signals.

                      Mike in Tasmania

                      Comment


                      • Originally posted by peterhr View Post
                        Only problem with yours is the steel reinforcing of the window frame and ensuring that the antenna is consistently positioned with respect to that frame. It would be excellent of the window could be opened and the antenna be fixed to a lightweight support (meccano) fixed to the glass by suckers. I doubt if the windows open. (should it come unstuck, the coax would stop it falling and save you having to reach down 60 feet to retrieve it)
                        My windows cannot be opened, like aircraft windows, but much larger, more like a double glass wall. So my equipment is strictly indoor.

                        My antennas are kept consistently at same position during comparision/adjustments. The metallic members of window frames are widly spaced & should not cause any problem.

                        The main problem I face is that my building is surrounded by high rise buildings, blocking signal and creating sharp spike like dip in range in their direction. My own building completely blocks signals for 180 degrees on west. My range curve, even wirh best antenna, is a semi circle with large number of sharp dips.
                        Last edited by abcd567; 2014-08-29, 16:38.

                        Comment


                        • Originally posted by YWYY View Post
                          Hi mate, when I was testing my whip I had it mounted on a temporary mast near the back porch, I could reach it from a stepladder. The reception distance wasn't good but I left it there for about a week, trimming 1 mm each day till it was receiving max signals.

                          Mike in Tasmania
                          Thanks Mike for the practical tip.

                          Did you download & run the .nec file (for your fiber glass double coil whip) which I have attached with my post few days ago? In that post I forgot to tell following step:

                          After hitting calculate button (or F7), a popup will open. It will have "Use Existing File" selected by default. Choose "Far Field Pattern" & hit "generate" button.
                          Last edited by abcd567; 2014-08-30, 06:24.

                          Comment


                          • Yes thanks for giving me that file. Its very useful, I am learning to use it - slowly. I figured that to use FAR FIELD. When I run it I get errors found - run segment check. It still works ok , but maybe my settings are different to yours.
                            Mike

                            Comment


                            • 75 or 50 ohm?

                              hello ABCD567
                              reference your post #1391

                              can you pls confirm if this design is for 50 or 75 ohm?
                              from the SWR plot it would suggest that its 75ohm

                              Q: do the dimensions as shown change for 50 ohm? (im using 50ohm coax cable before/after 50ohm masthead LNA)
                              If dimensions are different - is it possible to indicate these?

                              thanks

                              Originally posted by abcd567 View Post
                              @Trigger
                              @HermanZA


                              Here is your franklin with 3mm dia wire, 6mm gap by wrapping wire around 6mm drill bit
                              Good news Gain=6.86 SWR=1.52

                              NOTE: The impedance matching stub (middle one) is slightly bigger than phasing stubs (upper & lower ones)

                              Reason - to meet the following two conditions:

                              (1) Phasing stub:
                              Total wire length (two horizontal parts + round part) should be 1/2 wavelength = 138mm

                              (2) Matching stub:
                              Each horizontal length should be 1/4 wavelength = 69 mm.
                              Hence total wire length of horizontal parts alone should be = 2 x 69 = 138 mm.
                              The total wire length of matching stub (including round part) should be 138 mm +length of round part.
                              Length of round part = pi x round part diameter/2 = 3.14 x (1.5+6+1.5)/2 =14 mm.
                              Hence total wire length for Matching stub = 138 mm + 14 mm = 152 mm

                              Do not get confused by theory above. Ignore it and simply follow the dimensions given in the sketch I have drawn below, and it is done.

                              [ATTACH=CONFIG]4519[/ATTACH] . [ATTACH=CONFIG]4524[/ATTACH] . [ATTACH=CONFIG]4525[/ATTACH] . [ATTACH=CONFIG]4526[/ATTACH]

                              Comment


                              • Originally posted by gregy View Post
                                hello ABCD567
                                reference your post #1391

                                can you pls confirm if this design is for 50 or 75 ohm?
                                from the SWR plot it would suggest that its 75ohm

                                Q: do the dimensions as shown change for 50 ohm? (im using 50ohm coax cable before/after 50ohm masthead LNA)
                                If dimensions are different - is it possible to indicate these?

                                thanks
                                Yes, the design is based on 75 ohm system, but using it on 50 ohm system will not cause any big loss in performance.

                                I did not try how this design matches with 50 ohm. Maybe just moving the cable tap few mm will tune it for 50 ohms system.

                                Give me some time to go through the simulation /modelling to workout the 50 ohms dimensions, if different.

                                Comment

                                Working...
                                X