The video misses the key most important part, how did the smith chart look when it was fed at the calculated position and did you have to vary it. The picture shows a glimpse of the feedpoint appearing to be staggered. So, we miss out on the feed point, we also miss out of the end result of the BandWidth, and impedance. This antenna does vary in Frequency depending on what its attached to or close to. Taping it to the side of fiberglass, PVC, or wood will change it. You start with a Free Space model then check how it changes the Velocity Factor then you can cut and solder once.
All of this has been done and I cut it from the video because it would make the video long and boring. The next video where I make a faraday version and end up making a circut board solves the feedpoint issues. As most of us know putting an antenna near stuff will affect it. I can do a free space test and will soon but in the mean time I like real world tests and know it works in compromised situations
My grandfather made an internal tv antenna with security tape (conductive tape) on two pieces of cardboard with a few pieces of wood separating the reflector cardboard.
As a new ham years ago, I was in a pinch and needed something better than a rubber duck on my HT. I constructed a 2 meter dipole out of that aluminum foil tape you find in the HVAC section at the hardware store. I wrapped it around a section of 1/2 inch pvc pipe and simply had the leads of the coax held under the tape by the adhesive. It worked quite well. Anyway, keep up the great work and I hope to see more of your videos in the future. 73 de KM4AZW
I love this comment section so many ideas! Going to use the glass roof of my car to make a slot for 2m. The crazy carpet is a awesome idea. I’m thinking a yagi on it maybe?
Thank you! Also awesome to get comments from some of my favorite RUclips hams. Did you read it on HackaDay? hackaday.com/2023/10/13/this-packable-ham-radio-antenna-is-made-from-nothing-but-tape/?fbclid=IwAR1p5z0x2A35Acy7ZI8d6IMW7GcUzebZhPZvDQKHKCYFQ0w_lVlof9xGIWU
I have no doubt someone has already mentioned this in the comments but... "duck tape" was originally intended for use to join ducts, such as those used in air conditioning and similar. hence "duct tape". That being said, this is still a handy video.
No that is not true. Duck tape was designed in WWII for ammunition boxes. Not until later was it used for ducts. ruclips.net/video/9FaDI1i8ijs/видео.htmlsi=eL7gIfRNcn8q4m_l. Regardless duck and duct are both used.
@@VE6SFX_HamRadioRookie Well I'll be forced to concede defeat on this, I stand corrected. What I do feel however is that there are different categories of tape that have been lumped together, and that the names have converged rather than diverged.
Nope. It was originally a waterproof tape called duck tape. "Duct" came later, and it's actually lousy at sealing ducts, don't try to use it for that. Foil tape is best for sealing ducts.
That’s brilliant Ben. Wish I had known this a few years ago when I was procuring & installing my LoRaWAN Helium hotspot antenna - might have saved some time & $!! Appreciate & understand your enthusiasm. Keep doing you!! Cheers 👍🏼
Awesome. I have been experimenting with copper foil antennas by sticking the foil to a window as I live in an apartment. I've had limited success but will keep at it thanks to you as the concept clearly works. Great video. Many thanks.
Keep trying. You will get one to work. What is not show. In the video is the many many other non working antennas I built. Might need to do a video on that, all my failures.
@@VE6SFX_HamRadioRookie I know what you mean and will keep trying as each iteration get better than the last. I have a nano VNA too, which is an amazing help. Thanks again.
Fantastic work Ben. Better that you could use magnets to find the best point beats having to keep using the soldering iron. Brilliant work. 👍🏽 Motters 73
As a newbie this is awesome. I have some good antennas but for my go bag I want something that I can roll up and fit in the bag.. This is an practical versatile solution. Thanks and keep posting.
I did the obligatory J Pole with 1/2" copper pipe when I first got licensed in 1992. I got great results on 2m with it, and it lasted for years. The one made with duct tape looks like it would be great for with an HT, but I wouldn't want to run any more than 8-10W with it. Great video, keep it up. 73 from VE5RJK
Given the foil tape antennas talk John Portune has done here I think it’s capable of way more than 10w ruclips.net/user/live7MA4dIlapyA?si=Qi2gmhINr6c2_IO0
I just watched the reading test and you said this is huge when it comes to tuning your antenna. And I became the meme where the guy sticks both of his hands up to his head and goes 🎉
Here's an idea: Get the Rapala 60" retractable ruler (can find nearly anywhere selling fishing supplies, since it's used for measuring fish), adhere the copper foil tape to the underside of the measuring tape, then a thin waterproof tape over the copper foil antenna. Now because of the tape spool housing, as well as the looped tab at the leading end of the tape measure, you have structures to hang the fully extended tape up by either the tab or the housing for the spool, a way to easily retract the extended tape (as it is spring tensioned) and a working tape measure all in one. Retracts back into a nice compact spool too.
Top notch video! I do believe you need to make sure to get two-sided conductive tape for separate pieces to conduct, but I have everything I need to make this!
The copper tape you find at electronic parts stores will almost always have conductive adhesive. It is harder to find aluminum tape with conductive adhesive, but I only use that for shielding anyway, and it's good enough for that.
Hi Ben, here is Ben... HI Thanks for sharing this wonderful idea of the foil-tape usage ! Useful to some OMs in a flat or with 'nervous' neighbours... 👍
E X C E L L E N T VIDEO !!! One of my first tech jobs, was installing CB (11 METER) antennas on people's cars. Limo's, houses, etc. I have done lots of other things in my life, but installing antennas and designing them always was a concern of mine. The last 20 years of my almost 40 years on a major railroad, as an electrician, I installed antennas on top of Locomotives for VOICE RADIO, and LOCOTROL, which is the LEAD unit controlling several other locomotives in the middle of the train. Also, GPS antennas. When I was younger, I stripped down a piece of RG58U coax, at 8'6 1/2" and pulled the center out of the braid. I fiberglassed it under the deck of my Dad's saltwater 23' Chapparell fishing boat, and installed a 23 channel CB for a Ship to Store Radio, so when you had to go around the boat with a big fish, you wouldn't get fouled up on the antenna. The SWR was perfect and the water gave the carrier a nice bounce. I subbed to your channel. You mentioned taping the ribbon antenna to your house. Let me bring something to your attention. The air above us, is in layers, as to frequencies. Some spots thicker in depth than others. You have to adjust the height, from the ground, up, to find that "SWEET SPOT." Give you a for instance, a buddy electrician of mine, asked me to help him stand his 3 legged tower up, to raise his base antenna (MOON-RAKER), and a HAM-M rotor up. Since he lived right next to the base of the back side of a mountain, he was in a dead spot. I asked him if he had experimented to see how high he needed to be, to be IN THE SWEET SPOT. He didn't understand the concept. I asked him if I could check on it for him. He agreed. I found that if the base of the antenna was ONE FOOT OFF THE GROUND, that was the SWEET SPOT. He couldn't believe it till he talked to a fellow in Nova Scotia Canada on it. We're in Tennessee, 🇺🇸. check the distance from the ground for your SWEET SPOT. It differs from location to location. Frequency layers are in various layers in our atmosphere. It's NOT always in order, either..! Also, the wave pattern will change if your antenna is horizontal vs vertical. By you transmitting Horizontal, you can be heard better by someone who has their antenna Horizontal. Ok, enough instruction. I've been retired almost a dozen years. I enjoy-joyed your content and I subbed. THANK YOU
This sweet spot exists because of lobes in the radiation pattern when an antenna is too close to ground. The ground reflection reinforces the direct radiation in several directions. It depends heavily on the nature of ground, water content mostly. This can be modeled in EZ-NEC software.
In a former life, we used copper tape for a variety of RFI / EMI issues. We learnt that not all copper tapes are the same. Some will stick and provide good through conductivity, and some will not. As Murphy would have it, it seemed the more expensive tapes stuck with better conductivity. I suggest buying a small amount to check conductivity before committing to a larger quantity. Aluminium tape is similar and cheaper, but of course you cannot solder aluminium.
This is very cool, I'm definitely going to try this out at my apartment. Having something I can toss on a fishing rod on my balcony and pull down when I'm done so my body corp doesn't complain is perfect. 73's
I was also playing around with packing+copper tape antennas when I first got into the hobby. They're pretty great quick and dirty antennas once you have the measurements down and there's a whole rabbit hole to get lost in adding features for co-linear and other bands. I even taped some to the outside of PVC tubes to make them free-standing. There was just something really addictive in making quite capable antennas out of pennies worth of materials. It would be neat to do enough testing on different bands/tape substrates to come up with a parametric design where you quickly mash together working antennas for whatever is needed in a pinch. The main weakness of the copper tape is that it work hardens and fatigues with any amount of regular bending (and I don't know that aluminum tape would be much better). One of my copper tape on PVC antennas was mostly a mess of little soldered patches across all the cracks by the time I gave up and took it down. At this point, I think the way forward is some kind of bending-tolerant fine multifilament ribbon like Litz wire sandwiched between either layers of high quality duct tape or fused laminated sheets of some low-loss material like HDPE. This would be superior to typical ladder line which is solid core and gives up more quickly with rolling and unrolling.
So this gives me several ideas! So, you could build one in an attic, attached to a 2x4 board or PVC pipe. Possibly build some giant dipole antennas (given the available distance, along a roof crest). You could even stick the copper tape to a rain gutter, vertically or horizontally... Even build a super thin, Window / Door Pass Through with antenna connections on either end. This would be useful for travelling, camping, apartments, etc. or just when you want to pop up that antenna in your yard, and you stay inside (warm and dry!)
I like the idea of sticking it to the back or a rainwater down pipe. I live on the ground floor of a block of flats so it can be elevated and invisible.
Suggestion: Try making one with cheaper aluminum foil tape, then using some short copper tabs stuck to the aluminum foil. Solder your BNC or SO-239 wires to the copper foil tabs. This should allow for a bit less cost and also a wider surface are when making the antenna for lower bands. Aluminum foil tape can also work great for radials on the ground or a vertical radiator. WIDE AND FLAT is always best for RF. Much more efficient than round wire. KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK! 73 OM
I had a go at making one of W6NBC's foil tape loops recently and discovered the hard way that some of the cheaper aluminum foil tape has a thin plastic backing on it. This is unusable for the connections required in the loop but the layer of plastic adds a lot of durability to the foil layer and could be great for carving out a j-pole/slot pattern. Just need to bring a DMM to the hardware store to check if the foil surface is bare or coated.
We are going to turn this into a classroom project! Thank you so much for the amazing content and the time you spend to make it. Keep your stick on the ice!🏒
@@VE6SFX_HamRadioRookieAlso a great leader to run between a window and its sill. I'm also thinking of hydrogen line monitoring with a run straight up a wall. A large fractal antenna installed as wall art? Maybe on a tiltable whiteboard or even a door for directivity, the mind boggles.
I subscribed for your enthusiasm, and for sharing an awesome solution for a common hobby ham radio problems. Edit: You know, you could make a self holding antenna with something like an old large blind, anything that bends along it's length enough to naturally want to stay straight. There's quite a few fantastic roll out full scale antennas out there that you straighten up with this method and tension at the base to enforce it's upright structure. You might be able to make a pretty handy role out antenna out of duct tape and an internal support nestled into the copper foil J-pole.
I make tape measure 3 and 5 element 2m/70cm yagis on 1/2" PVC pipes regularly. They roll up around the pipe for storage and transportation. I use Raspberry Pis, DigiRig, and such for my personal EmComms as I live in the heart of tornado/ice storm/weird weather in the Mid West. I don't do HF, at least not yet, but it's also on my list. I had been making copper pipe j-poles, too, but this method presented is going to replace them as soon as my copper foil tape makes it's appearance.
Nice, this is great tbh. I'm going to give it a shot and share among my HAM friends. I was actually thinking this would be great for SOTA work on a mast. Very lightweight.
Hi. I didn’t ask a question. I just stated that adhesive-backed copper foil tape is also available from stained glass suppliers. It seems there is a variety of sources for the tape, though. Copper foil tape for stained glass tends to be very narrow possible making it unsuitable for antennas. @@VE6SFX_HamRadioRookie
Quick question: Would you be able to curl this up like a tape measure and be able to have an adjustable/tunable antenna by pulling out any desired length?
BTW, I had a professional cell tower antenna, 8 feet tall and it looks like what you are doing here. They have foil tape as the antenna on plastic. I was shocked and it took 150 watts continuous power
I might end up doing this on my other channel. There is a wider base of 'makers' there that would like to see it. Regardless I will let you know when it is out. ruclips.net/channel/UCNGRCuZqavcbw3nd583VoQw
Wonder if you could send this up attached to the belly of a drone and get a couple hundred feet high with it? Im sure the weight of the cable will be the prohibitive bit, but with a decent drone, you could have a great emergency antenna for even very hilly regions.
Drones use brushless or AC motors I am not sure how well it would work if there are any electrical harmonics. That being said, why not strip down a HT put it in cross band repeat and put it on the drone. Talk to the drone via UHF and have it repeat out at VHF? That gets rid of cable losses and weight entirely. In fact that ht with a battery would weigh less than 10’ of rg8
Awesome! I was looking for a lightweight 2m antenna for SOTA! Maybe try a super j-pole? Oh man, could you make a loading coil by folding the tape??? So many possibilities!
Yes to all the above. I am working on some stuff that takes this to the next level in the coming videos in the new year. I know it might sound hokey but I am first getting some provisional filings done (getting patent pending status) before I release the new stuff. There are some things I am finding that are sitting on the edge of magic status. I have built a antenna that is analogous to being a unicorn.
This is really cool. Now I'm kinda wondering if it would be possible to build a yagi antenna like this. I have some spare sheets of corrugated plastic I'm thinking I might try it on.
I had often thought of using, " Alarm Foil ", like you see placed on windows and door glass, etc. ! I would guess some experimentation would be necessary, depending on how frequency agile you needed the antenna to be ? I'm guessing for a higher, " Q ", it might be a thinner strip, for a specific frequency ? While a wider strip might offer more Bandwidth ? Sounds like fun, and for VHF/UHF easy to make dipoles ?
This has quite a high Q actually. You are correct on the width of the tape but it has been found by myself and others like John Portune that with skin effect these work effectively like a similar tube where the circumference is equal to the width of the copper foil. So one can get a very wide bandwidth in a much smaller package. Yes it makes great dipoles! There will be videos out soon on this. But it is very easy to go out and experiment yourself! Go and try it!
@@VE6SFX_HamRadioRookie For my purposes, the reception of AIS signals worked well. But it is very important that there is no low-emissivity glass (k-glass or i-glass). Because it has a metal -containing coating.
Let us know how it works on the other bands. I’m sure I don’t need to say this but dont constrain yourself to a J-pole. Dipoles, Yaggies, slot, mag loops are all possible I am sure
Back in the 70s CB craze I made a adapter from. SQ socket to fit a PL 259 connector with alligator clips and used the alarm systems glass breakage tape on a large widow where I worked just had to disconnect the place were it hooked into the adjoining window and where the wire came into it at the end where I clipped onto it measured it had over a full wave of driven element and reflector and talked for miles .
I have a large sun roof and plan on the same idea but make it in a slot antenna configureation so it is vertically polarized. I hope that makes sense. If it does not this will help explain ruclips.net/video/MNqqvYlifyw/видео.html&pp=ygUKdzZuYmMgc2xvdA%3D%3D
Long, long ago, back when alarm system used metal tape on glass, I was installing burglar alarms. We had a little wheel with teeth around the edge and would use that to spice tape. Running it over both layers would puncture it an make an electrical connection. You could just poke it with a pin but that took longer.
Here are some ruclips.net/user/results?search_query=john+portune+w6nbc you could spend a good amount of time on these. Also his book on slot antennas is here: amzn.to/3Fnr1rm
@VE6SFX_HamRadioRookie Thanks for the info. I'm going to build this next. Perfect for rolling up and keeping in a backpack or vehicle. Again, very awesome design.
Nice video. Just curious about one thing... Does the glue of the copper tape interfers on the condutivity? I'm asking this because the copper tape as some glue, and probably when you tape it on top of other piece of copper it does some isolation. But hey....the antenna works! :) Congrats
I am sure it does but it is VERY minor. Keep in mind that because the electromagnetic force is AC that you get a capacitive couple regardless. Like you said, it works, I can’t explain exactly how, but I can physically show you.
There need not be a direct electrical connection as long as there is good capacitive connection. I'm surprised you didn't see an electrical difference in your continuity test but it would not be pivotal if you did. @@VE6SFX_HamRadioRookie
I'm trying to explain to everyone I know XD And then there's the duck / gaffer debate. If you spend any time at all, you know to never ever EVER refer to gaffers tape as duck tape to a stagehand / tech XD
This is awesome. I'll be curious to know if rolling and unrolling the antenna will have any effect on the copper tape? Will it break? Time will tell. Thanks and subscribed.
I’ve taken my duck tape antenna and for the last month it’s been in my pocket and travelling, getting squished, sat on etc. I’m trying to find out where and when the breaks happen. ruclips.net/video/d5itl1uWGtU/видео.htmlsi=Qu2pueF58onEwAIV I’ll report back soon
The video misses the key most important part, how did the smith chart look when it was fed at the calculated position
and did you have to vary it. The picture shows a glimpse of the feedpoint appearing to be staggered.
So, we miss out on the feed point, we also miss out of the end result of the BandWidth, and impedance.
This antenna does vary in Frequency depending on what its attached to or close to.
Taping it to the side of fiberglass, PVC, or wood will change it.
You start with a Free Space model then check how it changes the Velocity Factor
then you can cut and solder once.
All of this has been done and I cut it from the video because it would make the video long and boring. The next video where I make a faraday version and end up making a circut board solves the feedpoint issues. As most of us know putting an antenna near stuff will affect it. I can do a free space test and will soon but in the mean time I like real world tests and know it works in compromised situations
OMG, I don't think I've thought about the Red Green show for over 20 years. What a throwback!
If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy. ;)
Excellent idea to use magnets to be able to adjust the feed point.
Thanks 👍 73
That is most genius part of the build. Its adjustable.
Indeed!
My grandfather made an internal tv antenna with security tape (conductive tape) on two pieces of cardboard with a few pieces of wood separating the reflector cardboard.
Awesome!
Love the magnet idea
Yes it is very handy for testing
One of the fun things in amateur radio is making antennas out of anything you can think of.
Yes agreed!
As a prepper this is awesome,I will be making one of these ductape j poles and put it away for when SHTF.
Totally, I am not sure what the shelf life of these will be given the glue braking down. But still a great prep antenna
I like how stealthy they can be. In an SHTF scenario you might not want everyone to see an antenna
Congratulations, you have discovered the black magic of antenna design ;-)
I am not sure if it is black magic or some weird drug that convinces you that everything is a potential antenna :)
As a new ham years ago, I was in a pinch and needed something better than a rubber duck on my HT. I constructed a 2 meter dipole out of that aluminum foil tape you find in the HVAC section at the hardware store. I wrapped it around a section of 1/2 inch pvc pipe and simply had the leads of the coax held under the tape by the adhesive. It worked quite well. Anyway, keep up the great work and I hope to see more of your videos in the future. 73 de KM4AZW
73 Already working on some new videos. :)
Everyone needs to get a better antenna, rather than the stock rubber duck one that comes with an HT.
Now this gives me a idea for a light yagi antenna
I sure did "stick" around and am glad you "taped" this!!
Were your eyes stuck to the screen? Just make sure you adhere to the instructions for best results :)
What an ingenious idea! It got me to subscribe to your channel. Looking forward to some more great videos. 👍👍
Welcome aboard! And thanks for the sub.
We used these back in the 80’s. They always worked great. 👍🏻
Right on.
Why you No Tell no one since then? 🤔
I have done this to make a slot antenna. Working on using a crazy carpet for the next project. Cool video!
I love this comment section so many ideas! Going to use the glass roof of my car to make a slot for 2m. The crazy carpet is a awesome idea. I’m thinking a yagi on it maybe?
I read an article about this the other day, looks fun! Great video...
Thank you! Also awesome to get comments from some of my favorite RUclips hams. Did you read it on HackaDay? hackaday.com/2023/10/13/this-packable-ham-radio-antenna-is-made-from-nothing-but-tape/?fbclid=IwAR1p5z0x2A35Acy7ZI8d6IMW7GcUzebZhPZvDQKHKCYFQ0w_lVlof9xGIWU
@@VE6SFX_HamRadioRookieYes, that was the article I found
I have no doubt someone has already mentioned this in the comments but... "duck tape" was originally intended for use to join ducts, such as those used in air conditioning and similar. hence "duct tape".
That being said, this is still a handy video.
No that is not true. Duck tape was designed in WWII for ammunition boxes. Not until later was it used for ducts. ruclips.net/video/9FaDI1i8ijs/видео.htmlsi=eL7gIfRNcn8q4m_l. Regardless duck and duct are both used.
@@VE6SFX_HamRadioRookie Well I'll be forced to concede defeat on this, I stand corrected.
What I do feel however is that there are different categories of tape that have been lumped together, and that the names have converged rather than diverged.
No we are both right. No defeat here, just multiple valid answers.
Nope. It was originally a waterproof tape called duck tape. "Duct" came later, and it's actually lousy at sealing ducts, don't try to use it for that. Foil tape is best for sealing ducts.
I've heard both as people below say. All I can say is I don't know.
Excellent idea, especially for if your going to travel as it will roll up nice and small.
Pocket sized even.
You deserve more subscribers, great production and delivery!
I appreciate that! Thank you
Of all your antennas vids the one I like the most is the car foil tape antena!!🥳 I´m about to go down that route myself!🤗 Thaks!😇
That’s brilliant Ben. Wish I had known this a few years ago when I was procuring & installing my LoRaWAN Helium hotspot antenna - might have saved some time & $!! Appreciate & understand your enthusiasm. Keep doing you!! Cheers 👍🏼
You know now and future builds should benefit from this.
Awesome. I have been experimenting with copper foil antennas by sticking the foil to a window as I live in an apartment. I've had limited success but will keep at it thanks to you as the concept clearly works. Great video. Many thanks.
Keep trying. You will get one to work. What is not show. In the video is the many many other non working antennas I built. Might need to do a video on that, all my failures.
@@VE6SFX_HamRadioRookie I know what you mean and will keep trying as each iteration get better than the last. I have a nano VNA too, which is an amazing help. Thanks again.
Foil tape is used more often in microwave work. There are some very clever designs out there.
Good to know!
Fantastic work Ben. Better that you could use magnets to find the best point beats having to keep using the soldering iron. Brilliant work. 👍🏽
Motters
73
Thank you. 73
As a newbie this is awesome. I have some good antennas but for my go bag I want something that I can roll up and fit in the bag.. This is an practical versatile solution. Thanks and keep posting.
Thank you and yes this rolls up into a pocket nicely
I did the obligatory J Pole with 1/2" copper pipe when I first got licensed in 1992. I got great results on 2m with it, and it lasted for years. The one made with duct tape looks like it would be great for with an HT, but I wouldn't want to run any more than 8-10W with it.
Great video, keep it up.
73 from VE5RJK
Given the foil tape antennas talk John Portune has done here I think it’s capable of way more than 10w ruclips.net/user/live7MA4dIlapyA?si=Qi2gmhINr6c2_IO0
It has a lot of surface area, so even it 100 % of that energy is dumped as heat in the antenna, it will barely get warm.
I just watched the reading test and you said this is huge when it comes to tuning your antenna. And I became the meme where the guy sticks both of his hands up to his head and goes 🎉
All I have to say is "Brilliant!"
ETA: For an on-the-move type, it would roll up into a nice tight little bundle for easy portability.
Yup the roll is about 1” in diameter 2” wide and fits in a pocket nicely. Short feed-line in the other pocket and you are gold
Here's an idea: Get the Rapala 60" retractable ruler (can find nearly anywhere selling fishing supplies, since it's used for measuring fish), adhere the copper foil tape to the underside of the measuring tape, then a thin waterproof tape over the copper foil antenna. Now because of the tape spool housing, as well as the looped tab at the leading end of the tape measure, you have structures to hang the fully extended tape up by either the tab or the housing for the spool, a way to easily retract the extended tape (as it is spring tensioned) and a working tape measure all in one. Retracts back into a nice compact spool too.
Oh damn. Yes I will have to do this. But I have another idea that would be maybe more functional. Stay tuned.
@@VE6SFX_HamRadioRookie Cool.
I made a working dual band dipole using copper tape on a length of PVC pipe.
Did you wrap the pvc or was it just a strip up the side?
Top notch video! I do believe you need to make sure to get two-sided conductive tape for separate pieces to conduct, but I have everything I need to make this!
Let us know how it works out for you!
The copper tape you find at electronic parts stores will almost always have conductive adhesive. It is harder to find aluminum tape with conductive adhesive, but I only use that for shielding anyway, and it's good enough for that.
Yes I am learning this. Totally enjoying the ideas and knowledge I’m gaining here in the comments.
Nicely done. It will be one of my projects when I retire. Thanks for making the DIY Video. 73!
Great to hear! let us know how it works for you.
I'm listening to you right now on a national repeater
Awesome! Next time jump in and say hi! 73
Hi Ben, here is Ben... HI
Thanks for sharing this wonderful idea of the foil-tape usage ! Useful to some OMs in a flat or with 'nervous' neighbours... 👍
Great name Ben :)
You have given me an idea, I am thinking of using fluted plastic board and copper tape to make a 2 metre and 70 centimetre moxons for satellite work.
Love it! please share your results.
E X C E L L E N T VIDEO !!!
One of my first tech jobs, was installing CB (11 METER) antennas on people's cars. Limo's, houses, etc. I have done lots of other things in my life, but installing antennas and designing them always was a concern of mine. The last 20 years of my almost 40 years on a major railroad, as an electrician, I installed antennas on top of Locomotives for VOICE RADIO, and LOCOTROL, which is the LEAD unit controlling several other locomotives in the middle of the train. Also, GPS antennas.
When I was younger, I stripped down a piece of RG58U coax, at 8'6 1/2" and pulled the center out of the braid. I fiberglassed it under the deck of my Dad's saltwater 23' Chapparell fishing boat, and installed a 23 channel CB for a Ship to Store Radio, so when you had to go around the boat with a big fish, you wouldn't get fouled up on the antenna. The SWR was perfect and the water gave the carrier a nice bounce.
I subbed to your channel.
You mentioned taping the ribbon antenna to your house. Let me bring something to your attention. The air above us, is in layers, as to frequencies. Some spots thicker in depth than others. You have to adjust the height, from the ground, up, to find that "SWEET SPOT." Give you a for instance, a buddy electrician of mine, asked me to help him stand his 3 legged tower up, to raise his base antenna (MOON-RAKER), and a HAM-M rotor up. Since he lived right next to the base of the back side of a mountain, he was in a dead spot. I asked him if he had experimented to see how high he needed to be, to be IN THE SWEET SPOT. He didn't understand the concept. I asked him if I could check on it for him. He agreed. I found that if the base of the antenna was ONE FOOT OFF THE GROUND, that was the SWEET SPOT. He couldn't believe it till he talked to a fellow in Nova Scotia Canada on it. We're in Tennessee, 🇺🇸.
check the distance from the ground for your SWEET SPOT. It differs from location to location. Frequency layers are in various layers in our atmosphere. It's NOT always in order, either..! Also, the wave pattern will change if your antenna is horizontal vs vertical. By you transmitting Horizontal, you can be heard better by someone who has their antenna Horizontal.
Ok, enough instruction. I've been retired almost a dozen years. I enjoy-joyed your content and I subbed. THANK YOU
Thank you for the coaching. When you were testing for the sweet spot, how did you do that?
This sweet spot exists because of lobes in the radiation pattern when an antenna is too close to ground. The ground reflection reinforces the direct radiation in several directions. It depends heavily on the nature of ground, water content mostly. This can be modeled in EZ-NEC software.
In a former life, we used copper tape for a variety of RFI / EMI issues. We learnt that not all copper tapes are the same. Some will stick and provide good through conductivity, and some will not. As Murphy would have it, it seemed the more expensive tapes stuck with better conductivity. I suggest buying a small amount to check conductivity before committing to a larger quantity. Aluminium tape is similar and cheaper, but of course you cannot solder aluminium.
Good advice, I’ve been lucky so far.
Great and simple idea. Where did you source the magnetic connectors?
I made them. ruclips.net/video/rbCTxWYHeP8/видео.html
This is very cool, I'm definitely going to try this out at my apartment. Having something I can toss on a fishing rod on my balcony and pull down when I'm done so my body corp doesn't complain is perfect. 73's
Yes! This is also for you then just use an appropriate colour tape ruclips.net/video/d5itl1uWGtU/видео.htmlsi=Dzmbho6axq1Urg6B
Great video and idea! The Red Green clips are perfect! Nice editing too. Cheers!
Thank you!
I was also playing around with packing+copper tape antennas when I first got into the hobby. They're pretty great quick and dirty antennas once you have the measurements down and there's a whole rabbit hole to get lost in adding features for co-linear and other bands. I even taped some to the outside of PVC tubes to make them free-standing. There was just something really addictive in making quite capable antennas out of pennies worth of materials. It would be neat to do enough testing on different bands/tape substrates to come up with a parametric design where you quickly mash together working antennas for whatever is needed in a pinch.
The main weakness of the copper tape is that it work hardens and fatigues with any amount of regular bending (and I don't know that aluminum tape would be much better). One of my copper tape on PVC antennas was mostly a mess of little soldered patches across all the cracks by the time I gave up and took it down. At this point, I think the way forward is some kind of bending-tolerant fine multifilament ribbon like Litz wire sandwiched between either layers of high quality duct tape or fused laminated sheets of some low-loss material like HDPE. This would be superior to typical ladder line which is solid core and gives up more quickly with rolling and unrolling.
All great info. Thank you 73
Love the Ducktenna. I think i will make one to.
Noted!
Love this project, love the excitement when you tested! Where did you get those magnetic feed points? I need some!
I made them and I will do a video on them shortly
ruclips.net/video/rbCTxWYHeP8/видео.htmlsi=7L7sD0P_ORTnUu_s
So this gives me several ideas! So, you could build one in an attic, attached to a 2x4 board or PVC pipe. Possibly build some giant dipole antennas (given the available distance, along a roof crest). You could even stick the copper tape to a rain gutter, vertically or horizontally...
Even build a super thin, Window / Door Pass Through with antenna connections on either end. This would be useful for travelling, camping, apartments, etc. or just when you want to pop up that antenna in your yard, and you stay inside (warm and dry!)
Yes to all of this and I am working on some of the ideas already!
I like the idea of sticking it to the back or a rainwater down pipe. I live on the ground floor of a block of flats so it can be elevated and invisible.
Nice, easy, cheap and super portable.👍
It sure is!
Suggestion: Try making one with cheaper aluminum foil tape, then using some short copper tabs stuck to the aluminum foil. Solder your BNC or SO-239 wires to the copper foil tabs. This should allow for a bit less cost and also a wider surface are when making the antenna for lower bands. Aluminum foil tape can also work great for radials on the ground or a vertical radiator. WIDE AND FLAT is always best for RF. Much more efficient than round wire. KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK! 73 OM
Great advice! thank you!
I had a go at making one of W6NBC's foil tape loops recently and discovered the hard way that some of the cheaper aluminum foil tape has a thin plastic backing on it. This is unusable for the connections required in the loop but the layer of plastic adds a lot of durability to the foil layer and could be great for carving out a j-pole/slot pattern. Just need to bring a DMM to the hardware store to check if the foil surface is bare or coated.
We are going to turn this into a classroom project! Thank you so much for the amazing content and the time you spend to make it. Keep your stick on the ice!🏒
You are so welcome! Love the idea it’s a classroom project. If the women can’t find you handsome they might as well find you handy ;)
What a fantastic way to make ladder line as well!
Holy crap! That never occurred to me! It’s super easy to bend and move around too!
@@VE6SFX_HamRadioRookieAlso a great leader to run between a window and its sill. I'm also thinking of hydrogen line monitoring with a run straight up a wall. A large fractal antenna installed as wall art? Maybe on a tiltable whiteboard or even a door for directivity, the mind boggles.
I am thinking I’ll make a yagi but call it a ‘Flagi’ the art/fractal antenna is a great idea too
Thanks for sharing. Very effective made from nothing basically. Easy and cheap to make.
I’ve been experimenting some more with different build concepts and wider foil. Turns out this can be much better with 1/2 foil.
As the man said, keep doing what you’re doing!
New sub 👌
Thanks for the sub!
I like this idea! I'm going to try to make some sort of indoor antenna for my vintage FM radio receiver for a better signal. Think it will work?
Yes absolutely! In fact now I think of it you could make it a sort of art installation
@@VE6SFX_HamRadioRookie Oh! I like the way you think! As a multi-media artist this appeals to me a lot. Well done, Ben Thanks.
You are my people. I might try myself!
Very neat antenna! I want to play with this idea
I LOVE to hear this!
Your antenna could be connected to a repeater. and hang it from a quadcopter.
You could reach further over the horizon than from a ground based unit.
Or a kite, balloon....
Aluminium ducting tape works well around windows to make a magloop, including the capacitor. Use a battery spot welder to connect feed
Not keen on spot welding on glass but definitely worth investigating
That is perfect dude, i gonna make one.
Awesome
Excellent vid. Fun watching someone having fun experimenting. 😊
Glad you enjoyed it!
Nice Job! Soo cool that this worked!!
Still kinda blown away that it did.
Rookie of the Year!
Dunno about that but thank you 73.
I subscribed for your enthusiasm, and for sharing an awesome solution for a common hobby ham radio problems.
Edit: You know, you could make a self holding antenna with something like an old large blind, anything that bends along it's length enough to naturally want to stay straight. There's quite a few fantastic roll out full scale antennas out there that you straighten up with this method and tension at the base to enforce it's upright structure. You might be able to make a pretty handy role out antenna out of duct tape and an internal support nestled into the copper foil J-pole.
!!! Great idea. Thank you.
I make tape measure 3 and 5 element 2m/70cm yagis on 1/2" PVC pipes regularly. They roll up around the pipe for storage and transportation. I use Raspberry Pis, DigiRig, and such for my personal EmComms as I live in the heart of tornado/ice storm/weird weather in the Mid West. I don't do HF, at least not yet, but it's also on my list.
I had been making copper pipe j-poles, too, but this method presented is going to replace them as soon as my copper foil tape makes it's appearance.
You are going to love my ‘Flagi’ design coming out soon. Effectively a duck tape yagi
Love this video. It gives me a lot of ideas to try out.
I'm so glad! Experiment, have fun.
Nice, this is great tbh. I'm going to give it a shot and share among my HAM friends. I was actually thinking this would be great for SOTA work on a mast. Very lightweight.
Yup rolls up into a nice little package in your pocket
Haha! This is very cool! Well done Ben 👏
Thank you!
Great experiment, 73 - Keep having fun :)
Duct tape J-pole? Definitely trying this!
Awesome let us know how it works out.
That is so cool. I'm going to make one too!!! Thanks for posting. I can't wait to see more of your videos!
Awesome! Thank you! let us know how it works for you.
So that is the antenna you were talking about.
I heard you on RYC.
Great video.
73 DE VA6CQB
This is one of them. Next one will be out Monday or Tuesday if you are referring to my car mobile stealth antenna
Good stuff. Those would be a nice way to deploy an antenna on a balcony. I think I’ll try but use a bnc binding post and 26 awg wire. 73!
The binding post is a great idea!
Slug tape antenna, most excellent. I'm going to make one of these.
LOL I forgot the use of copper tape in gardening. I like this name better :)
I wonder how well this would work for making a OTA free TV rotary YAGI antenna with a stepper motor controlled by a esp32?
Me too, I'll have to test it in the future
Adhesive-backed copper foil tape. Sold by stained glass suppliers. It is what is wrapped around the edge of the glass before it is tinned with solder.
No idea. Just bought it off of amazon you can find links to it in the description.
Hi. I didn’t ask a question. I just stated that adhesive-backed copper foil tape is also available from stained glass suppliers. It seems there is a variety of sources for the tape, though. Copper foil tape for stained glass tends to be very narrow possible making it unsuitable for antennas. @@VE6SFX_HamRadioRookie
I think it would be ok for antennas. 1/8 tape works. The bandwidth is narrow but it still works
Quick question: Would you be able to curl this up like a tape measure and be able to have an adjustable/tunable antenna by pulling out any desired length?
Great question and I will have to try!
BTW, I had a professional cell tower antenna, 8 feet tall and it looks like what you are doing here. They have foil tape as the antenna on plastic.
I was shocked and it took 150 watts continuous power
I have not pushed the power up. I do not yet have the radio to do so. However John Portune estimates this could take 100W easy
""I was shocked"
You shouldn't have touched it while transmitting ;)
@@SansNeural if you want to sell a set of the bnc leads with the magnets I would like to buy them and where can I get the copper foil?
Link to the foil is in the description and I’ll see about making the magnetic connectors
ruclips.net/video/rbCTxWYHeP8/видео.htmlsi=D_o1qECCZAhKxbqC for now I am considering making and selling these.
Do you think that you could make this antenna with a modification for free to the air TV reception Sir ??? Thanks
Absolutely!
Could you make a video on how to make thiat happen Sir ?? Thanks@@VE6SFX_HamRadioRookie
I might end up doing this on my other channel. There is a wider base of 'makers' there that would like to see it. Regardless I will let you know when it is out. ruclips.net/channel/UCNGRCuZqavcbw3nd583VoQw
I look forward to the video Sir. Hope things go smoothly for you during the task at hand. Good day and peace too. vf 😀😀😀😀😀@@VE6SFX_HamRadioRookie
Wonder if you could send this up attached to the belly of a drone and get a couple hundred feet high with it? Im sure the weight of the cable will be the prohibitive bit, but with a decent drone, you could have a great emergency antenna for even very hilly regions.
Drones use brushless or AC motors I am not sure how well it would work if there are any electrical harmonics. That being said, why not strip down a HT put it in cross band repeat and put it on the drone. Talk to the drone via UHF and have it repeat out at VHF? That gets rid of cable losses and weight entirely. In fact that ht with a battery would weigh less than 10’ of rg8
Awesome! I was looking for a lightweight 2m antenna for SOTA! Maybe try a super j-pole? Oh man, could you make a loading coil by folding the tape??? So many possibilities!
Yes to all the above. I am working on some stuff that takes this to the next level in the coming videos in the new year. I know it might sound hokey but I am first getting some provisional filings done (getting patent pending status) before I release the new stuff. There are some things I am finding that are sitting on the edge of magic status. I have built a antenna that is analogous to being a unicorn.
Nice end fed half wave 2 meter antenna!
Yeah!
That was a lot of fun! 😉😉 Greetings from Philippines. 73
Greetings from Canada!
This is really cool. Now I'm kinda wondering if it would be possible to build a yagi antenna like this. I have some spare sheets of corrugated plastic I'm thinking I might try it on.
I am going to try, I’ll call it the ‘Flagi’
I had often thought of using,
" Alarm Foil ", like you see placed on windows and door glass, etc. !
I would guess some experimentation would be necessary, depending on how frequency agile you needed the antenna to be ?
I'm guessing for a higher,
" Q ", it might be a thinner strip, for a specific frequency ?
While a wider strip might offer more Bandwidth ?
Sounds like fun, and for VHF/UHF easy to make dipoles ?
This has quite a high Q actually. You are correct on the width of the tape but it has been found by myself and others like John Portune that with skin effect these work effectively like a similar tube where the circumference is equal to the width of the copper foil. So one can get a very wide bandwidth in a much smaller package. Yes it makes great dipoles! There will be videos out soon on this. But it is very easy to go out and experiment yourself! Go and try it!
Ah, No.1 safety boots.
Cool😎👍
Gotta be careful with the weight of the roll of tape :)
I made a similar antenna just gluing aluminum tape to the window.
How well did it work?
@@VE6SFX_HamRadioRookie For my purposes, the reception of AIS signals worked well. But it is very important that there is no low-emissivity glass (k-glass or i-glass). Because it has a metal -containing coating.
Never really thought much about the metal content of the glass but yes you are right.
Why did I have to stumble upon this vid...now I have to try this. 2, 6, 10m here I go
Let us know how it works on the other bands. I’m sure I don’t need to say this but dont constrain yourself to a J-pole. Dipoles, Yaggies, slot, mag loops are all possible I am sure
I once put some wire along a 2x1 piece of wood to construct a slim jim antenna. So that means I built a wood antenna. Right?
Damn rights you did.
Yeap! Exactly my stand on a good antenna!!
That is really cool 👌🏼 👍🏻
Thank you
Great idea John. Thanks. 73, Ralf
Very welcome. 73
Back in the 70s CB craze I made a adapter from. SQ socket to fit a PL 259 connector with alligator clips and used the alarm systems glass breakage tape on a large widow where I worked just had to disconnect the place were it hooked into the adjoining window and where the wire came into it at the end where I clipped onto it measured it had over a full wave of driven element and reflector and talked for miles .
Hacking antennas is awesome. Great story!
Would you experiment with putting a foil tape antenna on a car wind sheild? Maybe try a jpole, and a 1/4 wave with an L dipole set up....
I have a large sun roof and plan on the same idea but make it in a slot antenna configureation so it is vertically polarized. I hope that makes sense. If it does not this will help explain ruclips.net/video/MNqqvYlifyw/видео.html&pp=ygUKdzZuYmMgc2xvdA%3D%3D
What is the range you can expect with this design?
It is as good as any ladder line jpole I have used.
Long, long ago, back when alarm system used metal tape on glass, I was installing burglar alarms. We had a little wheel with teeth around the edge and would use that to spice tape. Running it over both layers would puncture it an make an electrical connection. You could just poke it with a pin but that took longer.
!!!!! Not that this needs this but this right here is bloody brilliant. Thank you.
Great video. I may try a light weight foil tape and pvc yagi.
You should! Look up “John Portune” w6nbc here on RUclips he is the king of foil antennas
@@VE6SFX_HamRadioRookie Ill take a look ah his videos. Thanks.
Here are some ruclips.net/user/results?search_query=john+portune+w6nbc you could spend a good amount of time on these. Also his book on slot antennas is here: amzn.to/3Fnr1rm
Nice build, how much wattage could a person put through this? Thinking of making myself one to keep in the vehicle as a go antenna. Thanks
A lot more than one would think. I have a friend that did a 2min FM transmission at 100w with no issues. It handles 50W with no problems what so ever
@VE6SFX_HamRadioRookie Thanks for the info. I'm going to build this next. Perfect for rolling up and keeping in a backpack or vehicle. Again, very awesome design.
Good luck. Thanks.
You bet
Where did you get the magnetic terminals from?
Great question, I made them! studio.ruclips.net/user/videorbCTxWYHeP8/edit
Nice video. Just curious about one thing... Does the glue of the copper tape interfers on the condutivity? I'm asking this because the copper tape as some glue, and probably when you tape it on top of other piece of copper it does some isolation. But hey....the antenna works! :) Congrats
I am sure it does but it is VERY minor. Keep in mind that because the electromagnetic force is AC that you get a capacitive couple regardless. Like you said, it works, I can’t explain exactly how, but I can physically show you.
There need not be a direct electrical connection as long as there is good capacitive connection. I'm surprised you didn't see an electrical difference in your continuity test but it would not be pivotal if you did. @@VE6SFX_HamRadioRookie
I actually think there is some minor physical connection through the adhesive. That coupled with the coupling… pretty much negates any issues
very kewl! perfect as stealth and flexible method for ppl without balcony. it's compact maybe rolled for small packsize for hiking etc
Totally agree! I can fit this and a small bnc coaxial in my pocket
Not bad especially since you were transmitting into vegetation. How far distant is the repeater ?
About 8miles my rubber ducky just hits it. This came in full quieting
@@VE6SFX_HamRadioRookie Nice then !
Thank you! Bot h for this informative video and for spreading awareness about Duck tape!
Lol you are in the buck camp I see :) good to know I have allies.
I'm trying to explain to everyone I know XD And then there's the duck / gaffer debate. If you spend any time at all, you know to never ever EVER refer to gaffers tape as duck tape to a stagehand / tech XD
Lmfao, my regular job is SPFX in movies. I go out of my way to ask them exactly this ;)
MacGyver would be proud! Very cool!
73!
My favourite show as a kid! This is the best compliment ever.
There should be an altered velocity factor for the copper sandwiched in duct tape... but I don't suppose we'll find that spec in the 3M data sheet ;)
I will measure it here in a coming video
are you in Quebec? i got the same bandplan poster from my HAM club.
Nope Calgary Alberta
This is awesome. I'll be curious to know if rolling and unrolling the antenna will have any effect on the copper tape? Will it break? Time will tell. Thanks and subscribed.
I’ve taken my duck tape antenna and for the last month it’s been in my pocket and travelling, getting squished, sat on etc. I’m trying to find out where and when the breaks happen. ruclips.net/video/d5itl1uWGtU/видео.htmlsi=Qu2pueF58onEwAIV I’ll report back soon
What a clever idea. Just when you have seen all the varieties of j-pole antenna! I use 300 Ohn twinlead. BTW, it’s really called duct tape.
No its called both duck and duct. ‘Duck’ is the name of the fabric inside the tape
ruclips.net/user/shortsn9ZNJKuUpXM