[bars] So you wanna build an antenna...

[Tim KC1RET]

I've been doing a fair bit of FT8/FT4 on 20 & 40 with my 'wire hanging 
from a tree' fan dipole.  I've managed pretty well there but now I want 
to expand my band coverage a bit.  I've tried 2m with a 5 1/2 element 
yagi and found exactly 3 stations - granted, the antenna is at about 
10ft above the ground but still not exactly overwhelmed with contacts. 
Meteor scatter?  Pfft...  MANY nights of nothing but nothing.

So, what's a new ham to do -- build a 6m antenna of course!  There is a 
great deal written about the 'magic band'; how could I possibly pass 
this up!

I find a design for a reasonable 4el yagi online and set out to get 
materials.  Peter, N1AO, was gracious enough to offer me the material 
for the boom - many thanks Peter!

Next up, element material.  Should be easy-peasy to find 1/2in aluminum 
tubing stock.  HA!  Silly new ham...  The two local vendors that I could 
find quoted me over $175 for 4 pieces of 1/2in tubing!  However, my 
favorite, by far, was a 'repurposed materials' vendor in AZ who quoted 
me $78 for the materials but... wait for it...  $4,000 for shipping.  
Yes, you read that correctly, FOUR THOUSAND DOLLARS.  I nearly ejected 
my coffee through my nose laughing.

Sooo....  Looks like I'm making a trip up to Salem to buy a complete 
antenna for about $180 (tax free).

73,

Tim - KC1RET

Courageously sent from a non-Apple device that /includes/ a headphone jack.

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      Tim Carter - KC1RET

			

	+1.978.710.0133 <tel:1.978.710.0133>

	kc1ret.radio at gmail.com

	https://kc1ret.com

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