I bought this antenna and threw away the self tapping screws. I used aluminum 3/32 rivets on the elements and 1/8 rivets on the boom. Added 3/4" adhesive coated heat shrink to seal the riveted connections. So far so good. Getting into a repeater 25km away full quieting!
Horizontal is generally used for SSB and where you are trying to communicate via skip and ducting. Vertical is primarily used for short range FM simplex and talking through repeaters. Working through repeaters, local simplex, or even distance direct, matching the vertical or horizontal polarization of the other station is important as having the polarization wrong can create a 20 dB loss. In working long distance, skip or ducting, the signal polarization tends to get scrambled, so antenna orientation is less important. As for getting a match on 1.25 meters (220 MHz), there is far more to it than the SWR. You might have a decent SWR at various frequencies, but Yagis are designed to have gain and nulls in specific directions. You may get a decent SWR put have the gain, if any , and the nulls all over the place.
Helps us all to not waste our time and money on rubbish and making people rich by selling junk. That’s what annoys me most and gives other decent items a bad name. Problem with clone products. Look the same but far from it. 👍
I use cheep antennas and top ones also. Most of the cheep ones have just minor problems but the good ones also have the same type of problems just less. You could put a slightly larger screw might tighten it or solder the two together or epoxy it. On sideband or data modes 2m routinely can go 100 to 200 miles with yagi antennas horizontal . Just remember for fm use vertical polarization if not you have a big drop in distance about half for the wrong type. Great video Have fun. AA4CP Chuck Fort Pierce FL
Great video, and fair. I run two of these in my attic, each pointing towards repeaters (and wife's office) where I really want to reach. They work GREAT for that. One of the repeaters is 48 miles away and I have had numerous people comment on how good my signal is. (Radio is a 40 Watt Wouxun 950.) I share your concerns about outdoor deployment, however.
I’ve purchased a few of those cheaper yagi beams when I first started out and didn’t know any better. They all worked great for up to a year. I found that buildup started forming where the parts join together which caused issues. They work just fine, but for a permanent setup go with a more solid construction.
Good video, fair treatment. I bought one of these as I am just starting out and didn't know better, but it's performance is acceptable, I don't have much wind where I live, so that is good. I probably will repleace it before too long, but for now is does what I need it to do.
Dude ! really like your show, thanks for your time and efforts. Today I learned, that boat anchor just won't fly, or at least not for long.😆 Always build, never buy. It's kinda what the hobby is about, imo. Really dislike yagi's, way too noisy. Quad elements, non-metal boom, drops the noise floor by 4 to 6 db. Single feed Multi-band has higher gain than mono band, no matching required. , ;)
Sean, besides the mechanical mess that this Yagi is, I'm wondering about the RF pattern. Did you have a choke balun on the coax at the Yagi? If not, this would distort the pattern due to CM on the coax. Keep up the great work! 73 OM.
Great question. Allow me to show the patterns with and without a choke coming up here towards the end of the week. I think that will give a really good representation of how the coax becomes part of the antenna. Thanks!
To actually answer your question (lol), most of the time I did a sort of air wound choke. That makes for a good educational video. Without a choke, with an air choke, and with a choke. Then measure them with the analyzer. Thanks for the idea!
@@stvns1 ruclips.net/video/c4ZavnPNT20/видео.html Check that video out to help you decide.. Or in short - I'd go with Belkin 9913, which has 2.8dB per 100 ft or 1.4 db per 50 feet. Cheers :).
What I learned from this video: It's best too have bigger nuts/proper hardware. My wife even volunteered to hold the long element and tightin the nuts on mine.😂
Hey there! First, CONGRATS! Second, heat shrink shouldn't hurt anything. Additionally, LB0FI got one and said his tolerances were better than mine. I do think heat shrink would be a decent little solution, though. If not, maybe making through holes and replacing the screws with Wingnuts and bolts....Congrats again!
@@HAMRADIODUDE thanks for writing back. Sticking my toe in slowly with uv-5r. My hope is with a directional antenna I can reach the repeaters in Lansing and Grand Rapids Michigan, just have to spin it around as I'm in the middle. Thanks again, KF8AKV
The problem I ran into building one of these was the UHF is a third harmonic of VHF, which skews the UHF pattern. A better UHF solution is two antennas with a diplexer.
Thank you for the info. I'm going to make a video later this week (maybe early next week) with the patterns and I'll be sure to check that and post my results!
(Note: I'm not an expert, so others may have additional input.) Assuming a clear line of sight, both antennas at equal elevation, and using VHF with the manufacturer's 11.5 dBi gain claim, I estimate the communication range to be around 40-44 miles (20-22 miles per station). In comparison, using an antenna with no gain (0 dBi) would give you a theoretical range of about 11 miles (5.5 miles per station). Generally, each 6 dB increase in gain roughly doubles the distance. So, if we round that 11.5 dBi claim up to 12 dB, you get 11 miles doubled to 22, and then doubled again to 44 miles. This is a rough estimate and not a precise calculation.
The one for the trailer hitch? It's a trailer hitch flag pole mount. In typical fashion, I acquired it for free. When I get home I'll attempt to check and see if there's any name branding on it, but I don't recall there being any. My best tip for you is to go to a local hometown flag store. That's where I got my rollover mount and I do recall them having trailer hitch mounts as well.
Strange how people expect best quality when buying the cheapest antenna you could find, yes. China also are building quality antenna, but not on the cheapest antenna you could find 😉😁 Pay little more for a better antenna, you get better quality. Exactly as we do if they are made in US - Europe and China. You get what you pay for, I have learned myself from buying cheap from China, I don't buy the cheapest anymore, I pay little bit more. Still much money do you save compares to what we do in US or European, people don't think much about it. But I have learned that almost everything we buy made in US or Europe, It's part's built in China, but assembled in the US or European countries 🤣 Even Harley Davidson parts, we maybe not like this, but that's how it works...
I'm uncertain that it being made in china was my exact reasoning of why it was cheap and poorly built. I don't ever think I said because it was made in China was the reason it was poor quality. I purchased the cheapest yagi antenna (at the time) I could find on Amazon to test and these were my results and thoughts. I get cheap things made everywhere. If I hadn't mentioned it was made in China, I am certain I would take heat for that as well. To further my point, my manufacturing is done in China. The quality is outstanding for what it is. Just because it's inexpensive won't mean it's cheap.... in this case it did. Thanks, I hope I answered your question/comment/or concern.
Arrow definitely seems to be the antenna of choice for sat work, and last I looked they were running something like $119 or maybe $109 for the dual band model. Totally worth it imo and someday when I get tired of cobbling stuff together I'll probably buy one :)
I bought this antenna and threw away the self tapping screws. I used aluminum 3/32 rivets on the elements and 1/8 rivets on the boom. Added 3/4" adhesive coated heat shrink to seal the riveted connections. So far so good. Getting into a repeater 25km away full quieting!
Awesome. Thanks for the tips! I am going to try for some sats with it!
@@HAMRADIODUDE make sure you use aluminum rivets and not steel. They will corrode otherwise! 73s!
Horizontal is generally used for SSB and where you are trying to communicate via skip and ducting. Vertical is primarily used for short range FM simplex and talking through repeaters. Working through repeaters, local simplex, or even distance direct, matching the vertical or horizontal polarization of the other station is important as having the polarization wrong can create a 20 dB loss. In working long distance, skip or ducting, the signal polarization tends to get scrambled, so antenna orientation is less important.
As for getting a match on 1.25 meters (220 MHz), there is far more to it than the SWR. You might have a decent SWR at various frequencies, but Yagis are designed to have gain and nulls in specific directions. You may get a decent SWR put have the gain, if any , and the nulls all over the place.
Thanks for the info-👍 #KE2AUM 📡
Crows like shinny things too! 🐦⬛
Thanks for always sharing your knowledge and testing equipment out for us,
Helps us all to not waste our time and money on rubbish and making people rich by selling junk.
That’s what annoys me most and gives other decent items a bad name. Problem with clone products. Look the same but far from it. 👍
you get what you pay for.Little money, little quantity. At least it works. Keep up the good work 73
Thank you for explaining things in a simple way. I am an old guy that got started on ham radio very late in life.
Thanks for watching!
I use cheep antennas and top ones also. Most of the cheep ones have just minor problems but the good ones also have the same type of problems just less. You could put a slightly larger screw might tighten it or solder the two together or epoxy it.
On sideband or data modes 2m routinely can go 100 to 200 miles with yagi antennas horizontal .
Just remember for fm use vertical polarization if not you have a big drop in distance about half for the wrong type. Great video
Have fun.
AA4CP Chuck
Fort Pierce FL
If the elements are 3/8 in in diameter you could get that size aluminum rod to beef things up a bit. Just a thought.
Great video, and fair. I run two of these in my attic, each pointing towards repeaters (and wife's office) where I really want to reach. They work GREAT for that. One of the repeaters is 48 miles away and I have had numerous people comment on how good my signal is. (Radio is a 40 Watt Wouxun 950.) I share your concerns about outdoor deployment, however.
I’ve purchased a few of those cheaper yagi beams when I first started out and didn’t know any better.
They all worked great for up to a year. I found that buildup started forming where the parts join together which caused issues. They work just fine, but for a permanent setup go with a more solid construction.
Had one given to me last weekend - hooked it up to my UV-5R. Perfect match.
Oh, thanks for your videos.
Fortunately, my wife keeps my nuts in her purse so I don't lose them😂 73 my friend thanks for another great review
Good stuff :D
That's too much information dood
Great review. Thanks, Dude!
Good video, fair treatment. I bought one of these as I am just starting out and didn't know better, but it's performance is acceptable, I don't have much wind where I live, so that is good. I probably will repleace it before too long, but for now is does what I need it to do.
Useful review Dude!!! TU. Nice to see your "helper" get some air time. Grin.
I have one of those, but I only use it hand held for satellite contacts. You're right...I don't think it would last long in a windy area.
That's what I use mine for as well.
Dude ! really like your show, thanks for your time and efforts.
Today I learned, that boat anchor just won't fly, or at least not for long.😆
Always build, never buy. It's kinda what the hobby is about, imo.
Really dislike yagi's, way too noisy.
Quad elements, non-metal boom, drops the noise floor by 4 to 6 db. Single feed Multi-band has higher gain than mono band, no matching required.
, ;)
Conductive Epoxy
Will secure the elements as well as eliminate corrosion and assure great conductivity😊
The play or wiggle in the elements will drive me crazy. It needs to solid for me.
I purchased the foldable Yagi from china.
SWR 1.1 on the 2m straight out of the box inside my house on the landing.
Good info, thanks
Great review, tnx bro!
great info
Sean, besides the mechanical mess that this Yagi is, I'm wondering about the RF pattern. Did you have a choke balun on the coax at the Yagi? If not, this would distort the pattern due to CM on the coax. Keep up the great work! 73 OM.
Great question. Allow me to show the patterns with and without a choke coming up here towards the end of the week. I think that will give a really good representation of how the coax becomes part of the antenna. Thanks!
To actually answer your question (lol), most of the time I did a sort of air wound choke. That makes for a good educational video. Without a choke, with an air choke, and with a choke. Then measure them with the analyzer. Thanks for the idea!
@@HAMRADIODUDE Wait till you get my bill. LOL Looking forward to the next video. 73.
Mine was missing all the screws packets. So I pop rivet every place a screw was supposed to go. Tighter fit. ;^)
This sounds like a much better option! Nice job.
@@HAMRADIODUDE I have a gmrs base radio. What kind an length of coaxial cable should I use for best SWR on that beam antenna?
@@stvns1 great question. How long of a run do you need?
@@HAMRADIODUDE 35 to 40 feet, max
@@stvns1 ruclips.net/video/c4ZavnPNT20/видео.html Check that video out to help you decide.. Or in short - I'd go with Belkin 9913, which has 2.8dB per 100 ft or 1.4 db per 50 feet. Cheers :).
They're even cheaper if you build them out of 2X2's and coat-hangers. About $2.
2x4s go for $45.00 now! 😢
Another project to add to my list-build a 2m yagi
What I learned from this video: It's best too have bigger nuts/proper hardware. My wife even volunteered to hold the long element and tightin the nuts on mine.😂
Hah
You could print some pencil like inserts for the shacky joints??
New guy question (got my Tech in April), would it hurt anything to put a piece of heat shrink tube over the wiggly joints?
Hey there! First, CONGRATS! Second, heat shrink shouldn't hurt anything. Additionally, LB0FI got one and said his tolerances were better than mine. I do think heat shrink would be a decent little solution, though. If not, maybe making through holes and replacing the screws with Wingnuts and bolts....Congrats again!
@@HAMRADIODUDE thanks for writing back. Sticking my toe in slowly with uv-5r. My hope is with a directional antenna I can reach the repeaters in Lansing and Grand Rapids Michigan, just have to spin it around as I'm in the middle. Thanks again, KF8AKV
Good video 🇺🇸
Hi
Yagi plan drawing ?
I build my own antennae for TV and broadcast A.M. Could something similar be done for amateur bands?
Absolutely! 2m Yagi antenna out of tape measures, wire and so much more. I made a broom stick boom stick Yagi a few years ago
The problem I ran into building one of these was the UHF is a third harmonic of VHF, which skews the UHF pattern. A better UHF solution is two antennas with a diplexer.
Thank you for the info. I'm going to make a video later this week (maybe early next week) with the patterns and I'll be sure to check that and post my results!
How much range can we get if we install it at 20 feet height on both sides?
(Note: I'm not an expert, so others may have additional input.) Assuming a clear line of sight, both antennas at equal elevation, and using VHF with the manufacturer's 11.5 dBi gain claim, I estimate the communication range to be around 40-44 miles (20-22 miles per station). In comparison, using an antenna with no gain (0 dBi) would give you a theoretical range of about 11 miles (5.5 miles per station). Generally, each 6 dB increase in gain roughly doubles the distance. So, if we round that 11.5 dBi claim up to 12 dB, you get 11 miles doubled to 22, and then doubled again to 44 miles. This is a rough estimate and not a precise calculation.
what is that hitch mount/pole? I need that in my life.
The one for the trailer hitch? It's a trailer hitch flag pole mount. In typical fashion, I acquired it for free. When I get home I'll attempt to check and see if there's any name branding on it, but I don't recall there being any. My best tip for you is to go to a local hometown flag store. That's where I got my rollover mount and I do recall them having trailer hitch mounts as well.
Hey there, thanks for the video. Great information here. And don't drop your nuts.....
Can I use that antenna on my Baofeng UV5R portable 5 watt dual band
you can with the correct adapter (Something like a pl259 to sma)
When looking up this antenna Amazon recommends a higher rated one that’s also cheaper.
If you want to go cheap, might as well brew your own. My tape measure yagi wasn't too hard with a hairpin match.
Inset Dez Nuts Jokes, here! 😂
Strange how people expect best quality when buying the cheapest antenna you could find,
yes. China also are building quality antenna,
but not on the cheapest antenna you could find 😉😁
Pay little more for a better antenna, you get better quality.
Exactly as we do if they are made in US - Europe and China.
You get what you pay for,
I have learned myself from buying cheap from China,
I don't buy the cheapest anymore, I pay little bit more.
Still much money do you save compares to what we do in US or European,
people don't think much about it.
But I have learned that almost everything we buy made in US or Europe,
It's part's built in China, but assembled in the US or European countries 🤣
Even Harley Davidson parts, we maybe not like this,
but that's how it works...
I'm uncertain that it being made in china was my exact reasoning of why it was cheap and poorly built. I don't ever think I said because it was made in China was the reason it was poor quality. I purchased the cheapest yagi antenna (at the time) I could find on Amazon to test and these were my results and thoughts. I get cheap things made everywhere. If I hadn't mentioned it was made in China, I am certain I would take heat for that as well. To further my point, my manufacturing is done in China. The quality is outstanding for what it is. Just because it's inexpensive won't mean it's cheap.... in this case it did. Thanks, I hope I answered your question/comment/or concern.
get new stainless #6 bolts from home dopie and go trough the element and put a nylon nut on it
Thank you!
How about to gamma?
Will it work satellites?
With some modifications, it would!
It works them well, yes. Modifications?
Good life advice: take care not to lose your nuts.
I did learn something, don't buy that antenna. Just getting into satellite stuff so I am looking at something I can use by hand or on a tripod. 73
Have you seen the arrow brand satellite antennas? I have seen them a few times and I think their quality is decent. Thanks
Arrow definitely seems to be the antenna of choice for sat work, and last I looked they were running something like $119 or maybe $109 for the dual band model. Totally worth it imo and someday when I get tired of cobbling stuff together I'll probably buy one :)
So you buy a cheap antenna and complain that it is made cheap?
Sorry you were unable to see any of the good things I spoke about, while informing a potential consumer. Wish you the best
I learned, this is Almost a piece of junk. And your money would be better spent on a name brand, American antenna!