I watched a You Tube video of a guy using an extension ladder for an antenna mast and it worked great. Then he stepped back and wondered if the ladder would resonate. Guess what???? Gotta love thinking "Outside the box".
This is what amateur radio is all about to me. Finding ways to create functional RF equipment using your mind and ability. Just picked up another few 10m tape measures for this weekends project. Brilliant fun
Uncle Walter you such a Nut...you make anything work for an Antenna. Good to see you talked to Tor LA6KOA. Keep up the good Work and hopefully next time you are back to Poland our Waves will connect. 73 YFUG 💯👍🙋♂
Great Walt on my way to home depot to buy all the tape measures I can find. 😆 🤣 just think about it people use 26 gauge wire for antennas the tape measure has to work a lot more metal surface good clean clear receive nice 👍.
I use a tape measure for my efhw antenna, if your tape measure has a belt clip check for continuity, then no need to scrape the paint off. Surprising how well they work.
Walt, ideas and interests are right up my alley. I absolutely love antennas and making something out of nothing. Yours are among the most interesting videos on youtube for me. Appreciate your work, keep it up.
Love it Walt! I’d like to show this on the next show. I’ll be sure to put links to your channel down in the description section of The show. This is a great video!! Be safe on the way home my friend. Larry de K7HN
Excellent! I just might get 4 tape measures and use them for ground radials for my MFJ 1979 17-Ft whip. Looks like you had fun in Poland playing radio too. 73.
I am going by Harbor Freight on the way home and pick up 4 tape measures and clips to use for radials on my 17' Whip ground mounted. They have some 16' ones for $2.49 each, if anyone else is interested.
That antenna worked pretty well. That's what ham radio is about, putting up something and seeing if it actually works. I remember there was an on air event I think was called the strange antenna challenge. Hams would construct unusual antennas and see if they work. Some loaded up light bulbs, metal step ladders, curtain rods, bed springs, anything conductive just to see if it could make QSOs, and many did. Just make an antenna out of whatever you have and see if works.
Great video, we also did the tape measure quarter wave for 20 meters. We got a 10 meter tape cut it into 2 x 5 meter lengths and taped it together face to face and it was strong enough to support its self with light guy strings. We also got some great results. It goes to show you don’t need expensive antennas.
You should call this one the "MacGyver". I love how you don't even solder anything. Just tape.Very cool. In terms of design reminds me of the QRP guys portable tri band vertical!
Walt, great job! You know I love my tape measure setup and it has great swr! although I use a 20m hamstick on a vertical extension pole surrounded by eight electrically connected tape measures at the bottom of the pole! Catch you on QRP SSB net! KD9VAN
Now you got me thinking... I currently use a 17 feet whip with counterpoises for bands 20 and above, thus I bring counterpoises with different lengths. I'll be looking for tiny wire winders that work similarly to the one in these measurements. 73!
Walt if the lady back home sees you walking around with 6 tape measure on your belt she is really calling hoa police on you. Lock him up he is crazy lol.
Another great video, Walt. So you're heading home soon? Safe travels. So, if you wanted to set this up for say 15 meters, can you just retract the tape measures to about 11 feet? The coiled tape has no effect on signal? If this is feasible, I may do something similar for wire radials with wire winders.
It’s pretty simple, (6) 5 meter tape measures (16 foot), a 16 foot long telescopic pole (they’re on Amazon for $35 USD), a 1:1 balun, some coax and a little wire to tie it all together with a couple alligator clips.
I know another vertical you could try, but you'll need to visit a hardware shop that sells fencing wire!! Yes, a solid wire antenna using 16g fencing wire!!
How does this tune on other bands? I've got a junk 30' tape measure, and have been looking to make a portable HF vertical as I'm in the process of building my first HF station, id can't have more antenna's at home.
Ham radio is so much fun. Getting a license is not that hard and is fairly inexpensive. You have to take a test but it’s not too hard to pass and there are some great books out there to do so. There’s a course out there that sets everything up for you and is awesome. Check out hamradioprep.com. Cost wise really just depends on what you want to do. You can start in the VHF / UHF world with a $35 handheld. For HF (shortwave) you can find some good used rigs for a couple hundred bucks. Go for it! This hobby is awesome! Thanks for watching and all the best, Walt
I watched a You Tube video of a guy using an extension ladder for an antenna mast and it worked great. Then he stepped back and wondered if the ladder would resonate. Guess what???? Gotta love thinking "Outside the box".
Awesome, now on to finding a constuction site with an unlocked gate!
Blahahaha I can confirm that no tape measures were injured in this experiment and will be returned to their original resting place
Walt, a very interesting antenna that's working perfectly, well done.
Thank you Francisco!
Great video Walt!!
Thank you!!!!
Unbelievable results from that antenna! I can't wait to get my license and try some crazy antenna experiments on my HOA lot.
Thanks for watching! Hurry up and get that license!
Too bad your noise was so high in my direction. But we have you in the log again VK4KA. Thanks Walt.
Thanks for pulling me out yet once again my friend!!
This is what amateur radio is all about to me. Finding ways to create functional RF equipment using your mind and ability. Just picked up another few 10m tape measures for this weekends project. Brilliant fun
I agree Gavin! Have fun this weekend
Uncle Walter you such a Nut...you make anything work for an Antenna. Good to see you talked to Tor LA6KOA. Keep up the good Work and hopefully next time you are back to Poland our Waves will connect. 73 YFUG 💯👍🙋♂
Thank you Uncle G! I’ll be back in November and I’m coming to Germany!
Great Walt on my way to home depot to buy all the tape measures I can find. 😆 🤣 just think about it people use 26 gauge wire for antennas the tape measure has to work a lot more metal surface good clean clear receive nice 👍.
Hmmm, makes sense to me!
Outstanding. I have to collect more tape measures.
Thanks! Get that collection started LOL
I use a tape measure for my efhw antenna, if your tape measure has a belt clip check for continuity, then no need to scrape the paint off. Surprising how well they work.
Good to know, thanks!
Hi Walt,
Awesome successful experiment. You never know what will work until you try it. Stay safe. 73 WJ3U
Thank you Don! 73
Wow VK using tape measures,well done sir! Look forward to your next crazy antenna! Dave Ei3ixb
Thanks Dave! 73 de K4OGO
If it's ugly and it works, it ain't ugly. Great field-expedient antenna! 73 Ed KK7SAB
Walt, ideas and interests are right up my alley. I absolutely love antennas and making something out of nothing. Yours are among the most interesting videos on youtube for me. Appreciate your work, keep it up.
Thank you so much James!!!!
Love it Walt! I’d like to show this on the next show. I’ll be sure to put links to your channel down in the description section of The show. This is a great video!!
Be safe on the way home my friend.
Larry
de K7HN
Absolutely Larry, thank you so much my friend!
Excellent! I just might get 4 tape measures and use them for ground radials for my MFJ 1979 17-Ft whip. Looks like you had fun in Poland playing radio too. 73.
I’m thinking they will work great Scott, had a blast in Poland. On my way to Finland now and then home in the states this weekend. 73!
I am going by Harbor Freight on the way home and pick up 4 tape measures and clips to use for radials on my 17' Whip ground mounted. They have some 16' ones for $2.49 each, if anyone else is interested.
That antenna worked pretty well. That's what ham radio is about, putting up something and seeing if it actually works. I remember there was an on air event I think was called the strange antenna challenge. Hams would construct unusual antennas and see if they work. Some loaded up light bulbs, metal step ladders, curtain rods, bed springs, anything conductive just to see if it could make QSOs, and many did. Just make an antenna out of whatever you have and see if works.
I think our hobby needs more of that. Thanks for watching and commenting.
Awesome video Walt 👍
Thanks Ape!!
Always great when a plan comes together like that.
Yes it is!!!
Brilliant Walt. Very well done. Great fun and very effective.
Thank you Adrian, It was great fun!
Great video, we also did the tape measure quarter wave for 20 meters. We got a 10 meter tape cut it into 2 x 5 meter lengths and taped it together face to face and it was strong enough to support its self with light guy strings. We also got some great results. It goes to show you don’t need expensive antennas.
Absolutely! Thanks for watching and commenting!
Nice job.. love the tape measure antenna.. great performer.. I wonder how much better it would be next to your salt water qth.. thx for sharing. Kevin
Thanks Kevin! You know I’ve been thinking that LOL
Gotta love 20 watts and a wire
Genius!
Thanks Brother!
i like this emergency antennas!
It was a fun antenna to build!
What kind of wizardy is this? lol Love it.
Haha thanks Adam!
that was awesome! Totally want to try but need to steal some tape.... i kid
Hahaha I “FOUND” mine
Very cool and amazing results. Your videos have definitely encouraged me to build more and try new things.
Thanks Mike!!!!!
Fun experiment!
Yes it was! Thanks for watching!
You should call this one the "MacGyver". I love how you don't even solder anything. Just tape.Very cool. In terms of design reminds me of the QRP guys portable tri band vertical!
hahahah "MacGyver" I like that!
He didn't want to ruin the tape measures for future use lol.
that is effing amazing, i am really impressed. thanks for doing that.
Thanks so much for watching and commenting!
great job,if i have half as much fun as you i'll be a happy camper...73,..KE8SAF
Thanks!! 73! K4OGO
Walt, like Kevin K0KLB, you never disappoint! 73 N4WLC Bill
Thank you! 73 K4OGO
Walt, great job! You know I love my tape measure setup and it has great swr! although I use a 20m hamstick on a vertical extension pole surrounded by eight electrically connected tape measures at the bottom of the pole! Catch you on QRP SSB net! KD9VAN
Thanks! I’ll be back on the net soon!
Nice.......
Thanks
Wow! Excelente y divertido, eres un personaje de mecánica popular, felicitaciones y buen fin de semana
Great experimenting video, the SWR probably not accurate, but the antenna works, keep up the good work 👍👍
Thank you
Now you got me thinking... I currently use a 17 feet whip with counterpoises for bands 20 and above, thus I bring counterpoises with different lengths. I'll be looking for tiny wire winders that work similarly to the one in these measurements.
73!
Great idea! Thanks for watching!
I've also seen folks use automotive butt connectors to add and remove lengths from radial wires for different bands.
Walt if the lady back home sees you walking around with 6 tape measure on your belt she is really calling hoa police on you. Lock him up he is crazy lol.
Hahaha yes you’re probably right!!!
Another great video, Walt. So you're heading home soon? Safe travels.
So, if you wanted to set this up for say 15 meters, can you just retract the tape measures to about 11 feet? The coiled tape has no effect on signal? If this is feasible, I may do something similar for wire radials with wire winders.
Thanks Warren! Yes just retract the tape to make it resonate for 15. No the coiled tape below has no effect. Give it a try!
This is cool! Could you post a materials list for this?
It’s pretty simple, (6) 5 meter tape measures (16 foot), a 16 foot long telescopic pole (they’re on Amazon for $35 USD), a 1:1 balun, some coax and a little wire to tie it all together with a couple alligator clips.
I know another vertical you could try, but you'll need to visit a hardware shop that sells fencing wire!! Yes, a solid wire antenna using 16g fencing wire!!
I’ll have to do some research and give that a try, thanks for the idea!
@@COASTALWAVESWIRES no worries. I’m a ham radio operator here in Australia. VK5FCHM
@@COASTALWAVESWIRES no worries. I’m a ham radio operator here in Australia. VK5FCHM
@@christophermarshall5765 73 my friend hope to catch you on the bands!
@@COASTALWAVESWIRES I’ll keep my ears on the bands I’m permitted to use.
How does this tune on other bands? I've got a junk 30' tape measure, and have been looking to make a portable HF vertical as I'm in the process of building my first HF station, id can't have more antenna's at home.
This is a monoband antenna but you could lower the upper tape measure down to be resonant on 17, 15, 12, 10 and 6 meters
Nice work! And what was the final measurement? 🤣
73!
Hahaha I’m thinking 16’-5” is a magical number for 20 meters
Dude!!!!! This is freaking awesome!!!!!! New subscriber. 73 VE3WWJ
Thank you so much!!!
Ive been interested in radio my whole life. What is involved in getting into this license wise cost wise
Ham radio is so much fun. Getting a license is not that hard and is fairly inexpensive. You have to take a test but it’s not too hard to pass and there are some great books out there to do so. There’s a course out there that sets everything up for you and is awesome. Check out hamradioprep.com. Cost wise really just depends on what you want to do. You can start in the VHF / UHF world with a $35 handheld. For HF (shortwave) you can find some good used rigs for a couple hundred bucks.
Go for it! This hobby is awesome!
Thanks for watching and all the best, Walt
Lol now that is a ghetto antenna but it works, so I guess it can antenna. 😀
Is that a 1/1 Balun?
Yes 1:1
Great video and congrats on the build just some awesome stuff... de Nj4Z
Thanks so much John! 73, K4OGO