Skywire Loop Antenna Pics

[drdx]

My full wave loop skywire base hidden antenna is almost done. Here are some pics of it out in the open before it gets tucked away behind the fence. It is #12 wire, encased in gray pvc, and has a tuning mechanism that I fashioned from common hardware. The common formula for this type if antenna calls for a 37 ft loop. This one is 36 and the tuner can electronically change the loop diameter to anywhere from 36 to 38 feet by sliding the aluminum strap (shown) up or down for tuning after it is placed. I may go with more legs on it, but for now, I'm on to coax hookup and tuning. The legs shown are just what I had around. It will have a final resting height of 4 ft or so. It is all glued and very flexible, so I can move it around as needed. It will be in the yard 1st, and if this location doesn't work, I'll move it to the attic. If it does, a 2nd one will go up there, though not in pvc. Edited in: I'll have to apologize for the trash cans, I've been busy on this. -drdx

[unit199]

Please let us know how she works for you.
This is really interesting to me.
J.P.

[linx]

Nice! I've heard about this thing for a while! Good to finally see the finished product. Let us know how it works out.

One things for sure....no need to worry about wind damage!

[drdx]

Yeah, Farmboy is cooking one up too. I messed up gluing the coax box, gotta cut it out, no big deal, 5 minutes and $2.00, and I'll be good to go.

Hey, by the way for you folks out there in the high rent district, the house across the street, the one on the left, is about to be up for sale for only $200K. Yep, 3400 sq. ft, gated community, and golf a block away is CHEAP here in TX, gotta love it.

-drdx

[Hookie]

be sure to let us know if it works it looks interesting

[preacherman]

Be very interesting to see how your "cloud-warmer" works.
When the sun spots are a bit more prevelant, it should
have a good capture area. Post some results and some
formula's when you're done
preacherman

[PRO151]

Be very interesting to see how your "cloud-warmer" works.
When the sun spots are a bit more prevelant, it should
have a good capture area. Post some results and some
formula's when you're done
preacherman

What He said double for me! :D I could do this in my attic and not have to fight with the better half about an antenna.

[209 first class]

cool, i dig the adjustable sliding tuner. reminds me of a hairpin match. i read your other post, i thought this was gonna be on a rotor,directional(like a single quadloop). looks like an omni? tell me more about the spacing between the ground and antenna. is there a prescribed dimension? looks cool. the more antennas, the better ! 2zero9

[lonewolf]

That's kinda neat let us know how the thing works for you.

[Skinny-D]

I dont know about you but I would never pay 200K for a house that didnt let me do whatever I wanted at it, like put up an antennae. Isnt that the whole point of owning a house. Im not trying to rag on you im just stating my opionion!

Cool antennae! I want to know how it works. I am thinking of building my own antennae and that one looks quite cool. About how much did all the parts cost?

[Pillpopper]

very interesting to say the least. Let us know how it works out for ya

[ksphotoguy]

did you get the plans for it off a website? if so, could you post a link on here? this looks interesting and could be a fun project.
thanks !!

[Amp|-|ibious]

Holly Cow!! Yes let us know how it works out for you.

[Trouble]

THATS FRIGGIN AMAZING....PLEASE POST RESULTS TX/DX/ SWR ETC. GREAT PROJECT

[BushHog]

Keep us informed on performance that thing is very interesting

[causmik]

I saw one of these mounted 40 feet up from trees to trees. This was a ten meter rig. I think I will try one, for sure.

*****************************************

I GOT ONE........HOW ABOUT YOU? T-SHIRT THAT IS

[drdx]

Hello there, can't stay long, but for plans for this, just google loop skywire, and you'll see lots on it. There's even a yahoo message group on it. Not new, it made its ham debut in QST back in the 80's. The article is in all the ARRL antenna handbooks. I'm just grabbing their info and scaling to my need. Not much to lose here. My main deal is my mobile, but this is fun. -drdx

[PRO151]

Crap! DRDX, I posted earlier that I might use it after you told us how it worked out for you. Guess I kind of forgot that I just got through having a brand new metal roof put on my house last summer! I wonder how good an attic antenna would work under a steel roof? :D
Not to well probably and I am a forgetful idiot.

On another note: Have you not considered the old Flag Pole in the front yard? I think this is what I will try this summer.

[316]

AWESOME HOMEBREW, I love it.

[PONY EXPRESS]

My full wave loop skywire base hidden antenna is almost done. Here are some pics of it out in the open before it gets tucked away behind the fence. It is #12 wire, encased in gray pvc, and has a tuning mechanism that I fashioned from common hardware. The common formula for this type if antenna calls for a 37 ft loop. This one is 36 and the tuner can electronically change the loop diameter to anywhere from 36 to 38 feet by sliding the aluminum strap (shown) up or down for tuning after it is placed. I may go with more legs on it, but for now, I'm on to coax hookup and tuning. The legs shown are just what I had around. It will have a final resting height of 4 ft or so. It is all glued and very flexible, so I can move it around as needed. It will be in the yard 1st, and if this location doesn't work, I'll move it to the attic. If it does, a 2nd one will go up there, though not in pvc. Edited in: I'll have to apologize for the trash cans, I've been busy on this. -drdx

Adding a 1/4 wave matching stub of 75 ohm coax of RG 11U will bring swr down to 1:1 . 984/Freq in MHZ x velocity factor .66 / 4 = 1/4

so basically about 6 ft of RG 11 U will be a 1/4 matching stub

[drdx]

I have some 75 ohm but shouldn't need it. I talked farmboy through one, and his swr is flat. I've done a vertical one, and it did fine so here's to hoping. I'd like to avoid it if I can, but that's the fun of experimenting. -drdx