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6 Meter
Homemade J-Pole
Antenna  On the air, looking for signals!
The 6 meter repeater we use in my neck of the woods has
a receive frequency of 53.110Mhz and a transmit frequency of 52.110Mhz.
This antenna that I built according to these dimensions seems to be
performing quite well. I have gotten several compliments as to how my
transmissions sound and I seem to be able to hear quite well on it
also. MATERIALS Copper Tube and fittings dimensions are given as inside diameter (plumbing dimensions) 20 foot length -- 1 inch diameter Type L Copper Tube (Hard Drawn) 4 feet -- 3/8 inch diameter Type L Copper Tube (Hard Drawn) 1----1 inch copper Tee 1----1 inch copper 90 degree elbow 1----1 inch to 3/8 inch copper reducing coupling 2----1 inch copper pipe caps 1----3/8 inch copper pipe cap 2----1-1/2 inch stainless steel hose clamps 4----3 inch stainless hose clamps 1----3/4 inch x 5 inch (sch 40) PVC pipe 10—3/16 inch x 8 inch black nylon zip
ties 60/40 solder and flux plumbers sanding cloth fitting brushes of the appropriate sizes (Optional but will make your life easier) BernzOmatic propane torch BernzOmatic micro torch good copper pipe cutting
tool INSTRUCTIONS: Refer to drawings and photos
below I'll start out by saying that it is understood that you are proficient in accurately measuring and in soft soldering techniques.
If this is not the case, you may want to talk someone into helping you with this project as it can get quite frustrating for someone not experienced with the previously mentioned skills.
It is imperative that the ends of the pipe to be soldered as well as the inside of the fittings are cleaned by sanding or brushing (fittings) until they shine like a new penny.
Also, the pipe ends as well as inside of fittings should be coated with paste flux just prior to soldering.
It can't be stated enough; check and double check your measurements before you cut and solder. Uh-O's are easier fixed before the antenna pieces are cut and soldered than after it is assembled.
The 3/8 inch copper tube section measurement at top of J pole is not critical. I started out with a piece of roughly 4 feet of copper pipe and added the reducer and then joined the 1 inch tube to the reducer and 3/8 inch section of pipe, being careful that I ended up with the overall measurement of 161.04 inches from the top of my 3/8 inch pipe cap at the end of my 3/8 inch pipe, down to the top of the “bull” on my 1 inch tee attached to the other end of my 1 inch pipe.
Notice the measurements are not “center to center” but are metal to metal measurements. Refer to drawing below.
In other words, for example, the SPACING DIMENSION given as 5.04 inches-- is the dimension from the inside wall of the longer 1 inch pipe to the inside wall of the shorter 1 inch pipe.
When you have finished soldering the short length of 1 inch pipe to the 90 degree elbow and it is attached to the tee and long length of 1 inch pipe you will need a stiffener between the 1 inch pipes. This can be accomplished by using a piece of 3/4 inch PVC pipe (see drawing below). Measure and cut a piece of PVC pipe and cut slits back 3/8 inch from both ends so a nylon tie can pass thru the slits and go around the 1 inch pipe and be tightened up so as to provide a stiffener, so the elements will not sway and move relative to one another in a high wind.
After the antenna is assembled and soldered, you will need to fasten the coaxial lead from the radio to the antenna. I used (2) 1-1/2 inch hose clamps.
Strip about 8 inches of the outer jacket from the coax—being careful not to damage the shield. separate the shield and the insulated center conductor so each lead can be soldered to a hose clamp. This is where a micro torch comes in handy. I have a BernzOmatic torch and it is worth it's weight in gold. Outside with the wind blowing, an electric soldering pen simply will not cut the mustard!
I placed a little flux on the hose clamp and placed the center coax wire on the hose clamp and used the micro torch to heat up the connection until it was ready for the solder. I fed wire solder onto the wire and hose clamp until a sufficient amount had built up on the wire and clamp junction to insure a good connection.
After the first clamp had cooled, I proceeded to solder the coax shield wire to the second hose clamp in the same manner as I had done the first hose clamp.
After the second hose clamp had cooled, I measured where the FEED POINT dimension was located and used sand cloth to clean the area so my hose clamps would make a good electrical connection. After sanding, I re-marked the FEED POINT dimension on the pipes and attached and tightened the hose clamps at the marks.
I then formed a coil of 5 turns with an approximately 5 inch diameter to form a coaxial balun that is necessary when using 50 ohm coax to keep RF energy from backing up down your feedline. Use nylon ties to tighten up the coil loops and to attach it to the antenna as per the picture drawing.
You may have to play with the hose clamp positions up or down slightly to get the best SWR readings.
Me, I got lucky. I placed them the first time and with my handy antenna tuner, which is part of my radio setup, I got a perfect match the first time.
Use the (4) 3 inch hose clamps to attach the bottom leg of the antenna to a mast of some sort---and don't forget to ground the antenna. It may save you major headaches down the road.
By what my ham buddies are reporting to me, the antenna seems to be performing quite well. Using 5 watts, my transmit is loud and crystal clear and my reception seems to be pretty darn good. I am using an Icom-7000 transceiver along with an IT-100 tuner by LDG Electronics. My project
was the result of info gleaned from various sources posted on the
internet. Question? Email
Tony apye1849 AT
yahoo.com(don't forget to
remove the AT and add @ with no
spaces!) 6 METER 5/8 WAVE VERTICAL ANOTHER 6 M J POLE DESIGN (Archives of the "Wayback Machine" 6 METER SLIM JIM 300 OHM METRIC 6 METER "SLICK SIX" DIPOLE 6 METER DUAL POLARITY (CB MOD) (A "Cool" idea by KD4WPC) 6 METER ROTATEABLE DELTA LOOP 6 METER ZIP CORD EDZ 50 OHM FEED 6 METER HALO LOOP 6 METER EDZ SIGNAL SQUIRTER 3 ELEMENT BEAM FOR 6 (See 6 Meter Loop below also on same page) 6 METER HENTENNA - K5USS Editor note ...It is not required that the measurements used in this article be cut to the hundredths of an inch. The tuning tap points (coax attachment points) at the base of the antenna can be adjusted up or down for best swr. The J-pole antenna is very forgiving with the construction as long as the overall measurements are close. If you don't have the skills with copper tubing construction, seek help from a ham radio friend. Sometimes they require a cool drink, cup of coffee or a visit to McDonalds in return! Some work cheaper than that! GRIN! 73  Hamuniverse.com uses Green Geeks Web Hosting! |
