The HAM Radio Operator's Antenna HANDBOOK
by Buck Rogers ( K4ABT, for over 60 years)

BUT FIRST.... let's review some antenna "basics" in pictorial form.

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When using a Dipole made similar to the above antenna, it is highly recommended
that a 1:1 BALUN be used at the antenna feed point (center insulator).

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Read why: BUX BALUN is The # 1 selling BALUN   At BUX COMM, *We don't cut corners! The elements used in the development of our BUX BALUNs are manufactured from top quality components, beginning with the Silver Plate SO239 connectors and center insulator, made of teflon™(E.I Dupont).   The wire we use to wind the ferrite donuts is heavy-duty, silver flashed wire, with teflon™ insulation that will handle RF voltages above 15000 volts, and temperatures to 1000 degrees. The binding posts are heavy-duty, tempered brass, with end holes and side-thru holes to accommodate either type loop-thru connection.  A double-shoulder brass capture nut is used to add a secure bite and improve antenna wire electrical connections.  BUX BALUNS are analyzed and tested in our lab, using a General Radio Impedance Bridge (GR1145) and Rohde & Schwarz, Vector Signal Generator and RF Spectrum Analyzer,  (SAM300) from 9 kHz -3 GHz to a WALFEUR 3000 watt, step range Pyronol-Dummy Load (SRDL3K). With our BUX UN UN (ONION), the coax is Belden™ RG8X and the PL259 connectors are Amphenol™ with Silver flashed SO239, and Gold center pins.  Center Insulator is Teflon™ (EI DuPont)

BUX ONION     $19.95 model  BUXUNUN     o 50 ohm, SO-239 unbalanced input o UNBalanced output o Two feet, RG8X to PL259 o 1.5 to 54 MHz  (160 Mtrs to 6 Mtrs) o Toroid (CURRENT) design o Heavy Duty, Lightweight o Sealed against moisture   $19.95   ADD TO CART

MM11 ADD TO CART

CARDINAL 1:1 BALUN BUX COMM MasterMatch 11 Baluns are ideal for dipoles, Slopers, InvertedVees and center feedpoint, RVantennas.feedpoint, RV antennas.  "CURRENT"

$19.95

MM41 ADD TO CART

BLACK HAWK 4:1 BALUN BUX COMM MasterMatch 41 Baluns are ideal for windoms and antennas fed with 250 to 500 ohms transmission lines "CURRENT"

$19.95

SDAB ADD TO CART

Screw Driver Antenna Balun model SDAB Works great with SCREWDRIVER and EndFed Mobile antennas

$19.95

 

MOBILE KING, Antenna BUX MOBALUN
For bottom fed, and Screw-Driver antennas.
1.8 MHz to 54 MHz   Master Match
50 ohm, SO239 unbalanced input. Unbalanced output PL259,
1.8 to 54 MHz, silver plated screws, and silver SO239 input connectors.

o  FREE  3ft RG8X coax jumper with PL259's.
o 1.8 to 54 MHz
o Ferrite (current) Broadband Toroid design
o Heavy Duty, Lightweight construction
o SO-239 UNbalanced input.
o SO-239 UNbalanced output,
o Sealed against moisture

  Order BUXMOBALUN $19.95  

 

 

 

 

 

BUX VBALUN De-Coupling transformer Primary use and application: Feed point isolation and matching for J-Poles and VHF/UHF BEAMS. This decoupling transformer prevents RF currents from traveling down the outer shield of the coax. The input connector is an SO239 (female) and the output connector is a PL259 (male). BUX "VBALUN" De-Coupling transformer, has SO-239 (female) input connector.  Output connector is 2 feet RG8X cable with Amphenol PL-259 (male).   BUX VBALUN is an UNbalanced to UNbalance decoupling transformer designed to be used by the Apartment dweller or the RV ops when feeding J-Poles and similar VHF/UHF antennas.  $19.95  VBALUN Teflon ®™ E I DuPont corp. Amphenol ®™ TYCO Corp.

    AE41  4:1 High Performance, Heavy Duty, 2.5 KW Balun

*CW/SSB duty-cycles only.  SSB/CW Power @ 3.5 MHz* >2.5 kW if SWR is less than 3 1
*Not rated for AM, RTTY or other high/long duty-cycle digital modes.

	Double-co-efficient coupled design.
	Exceptional High output.
	Large toroid ferrite cores.
	High winding reactance with only a L-C compensatio.
	Teflon insulated, large gauge, high temperature, wire.
	Compensation for wide bandwidth
	Rated above the legal power limit.
	Heavy-Duty, 1 inch,  Stainless-steel eyebolts.
	Input Connector SO-239
	Output Connector Hard-Drawn, tempered Brass Binding Posts.
	Bandwidth 160 - 10 m.
	Power Loss, dB less than 1 dB.

ADD TO CART

ADD TO CART

Similar to above AE41, except: 1:1 (One to One) BALUN AE11 Our BUXCOMM 'American Eagle' israted for 2500 watt SSB service, 1 to 1 CURRENT type, High Performance, Heavy Duty, BALUN. Built for power, strength, and durability, and most of all, maxium transfer of RF energy to your antenna. At BUXCOMM, we don't cut corners. Hardened Brass terminals, large, low permebility ferrite cores to prevent core saturation at high power peaks. Internal connections are silver-bearing soldered, coaxial connectors are silver plated, with teflon insulators, and gold flashed center pin. 1.8 MHz to well into the VHF region.

Good photos of VHF & UHF YAGI

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Antennas & Accessories

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CLICK ON the small graphic to view full size.
Half-Wave HF Antenna Cutting Chart.

 

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CLICK ON the small graphic to view full size.
VHF/UHF Cutting Chart
 

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CLICK ON the small graphic to view full size.
Antenna Isolation / Spacing Charts
 

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 HAM Radio and Commercial 2-way radio antennas

 

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A=Benz-O-Matic propane torch; B=Lead-Free solder; C=Tape measure: D=Tubing cutter; E=Sharpie marking pen; F=Solder Paste; G=1/2 inch copper caps; H=Hardcopy of the above drawing; I=Wet Towel; J=PreCut, ready to assemble parts of the 2 meter J-Pole.
 

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BUX COMM, 142 to 150 MHz; Fiberglass J pol
For low terrestrial noise, use fiberglass elements. For optimum performance and gain,
feed with BUX COMM  "VBALUN."
Courtesy HRC Antenna Newsletter (c)

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BUX COMM, 435 to 450 MHz; Fiberglass J pol
For low terrestrial noise, use fiberglass elements. For optimum performance and gain,
feed with BUX COMM  "VBALUN."
Courtesy HRC Antenna Newsletter (c)

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Four element, two meter beam, elements can be tubular aluminum, solid aluminum,
or for low terrestrial noise, use fiberglass elements.  This beam may be installed vertical, or horizontal.
For optimum performance and gain, feed with BUX COMM  "VBALUN."
Courtesy HRC Antenna Newsletter (c)

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Four element, six meter beam, elements can be tubular aluminum, solid aluminum,
or for less terrestrial noise, use fiberglass elements.  This beam may be installed vertical, or horizontal.
Courtesy HRC Antenna Newsletter (c)

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Design-A-Quad Antenna

Calculate the total wire length for each element of a quad antenna.
REFLECTOR = 1030 / F (MHz)
DRIVEN = 1005 / F (MHz)
DIRECTOR 1 = 975 / F (MHz)
DIRECTOR 2 = 960 / F (MHz)

ELEMENT SPACING between:
1) Reflector & Driven Element = 730 / F (MHz)
2) Driven Element & 1st Director= 600 / F (MHz)
3) 1st Director & 2nd Director = 600 / F (MHz)

Enter the formula for the antenna calculation
Divided by Freq MHz

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Total wire-length in feet is FEET.
Total wire-length in inches is INCHES.
One of four sides in FEET = <- Use ONLY this number for "element spacing" when entering the element spacing numbers (constants; 730 or 600) above!
Total all spacing measurements (in inches) then add 2 inches for each end.

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THE QUAD SHOWN BELOW IS AN EXAMPLE OF A QUAD DESIGN USING DESIGN-A-QUAD ABOVE

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If you prefer; Order ↑BUX COMM WINDOM ↑ "without coax" Model 802136 

Above Windom with Fifty ft. (50') RG8X coax and connectors, $ 79.95 802136W50   

Above Windom with One Hundred ft. (100') RG8X coax and connectors, $ 95.95 802136W100 

The Windom can be installed as a Droop-End (see figure D below) or as a sloper, but in no case, should the angle be greater than 90 degrees against itself.  To use an angle that folds against the pattern of the opposite end, or the feed line of the Windom, could change the impedance of the feed-point, change the multi-band features, and most important, destroy the radiation characteristics of the antenna. 

 
Figure D

 

In other words, install the Windom as you would any other dipole, while using a common sense approach.  The fact that we are feeding

this Windom using coax, and a single balun, gives us the ability to construct it as a drooped-end antennas or at a "real estate saving (angle)" without destroying the features and performance of the Windom.

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 WE Accept →
NOTICE: We ship WINDOM and G5RV (wire type) antennas worldwide, However;  Due to excessive damage, we DO NOT ship Mobile HF or Base VHF antennas outside the continental USA !

ANTENNA  INSULATORS Weatherproof, (TENYTE) insulators.  Perfect for your DIPOLE or Windom antenna. For the apartment dweller, you can now hang the 20 meter doublet in the attic.   I've QSO'd with stations all over the world with the 33 ft dipole in the attic of my garage.   One insulator at the center, and one at each end.   It's great for other HF WINDOM, single, and multi-band dipole antennas.  Dielectric strength is superior to the old ceramic insulators, without susceptibility to cracking or breakage under impact or extreme temperature changes. Package of  3,  $2.99   ANTINSL3   Package of 10,  "TeNyte" BUX TNT Insulators $8.99,  ANTINSLX10

An HF Dipole Antenna specially designed with the Apartment Dweller, RV, & Field-day operator in mind.
Don't be fooled by those over-priced knock-offs that use a piece of drilled aluminum that breaks in a cold wind.  This is the original, Fixed station, RV, apartment dweller, and portable dipole from BUX Communications.  It is designed for rapid deployment and effective HF communications where space is limited.  The mounting bracket and hardware are made of high-quality, hard-drawn, aircraft aluminum, to withstand the elements and maintain a strong posture in adverse wind and weather conditions.

On a budget, Mobile in an RV, or live in a space-restricted environment?..  Here's the the solution: Here's an HF horizontal (or vertical) polarized antenna that will meet those beams "head-on!"  When installed on a rotor, this combo makes a great bi-directional fixed-station antenna.  Shown here with BUX UNUN (ONION) as the decoupling balun (unun) to prevent reradiating of the coax shield and better match at the antenna feed point.

When the stations with the gain and power in their antennas are transmitting in the horizontal plane, then you should be meeting them in the same plane.  Horizontal signals tend to follow the earths contour, and are easier to capture using a horizontally polarized antenna.  See the BUX UNUN elsewhere on this page.

BCC Photo ©   Photo above;  BUX COMM, "DBLCOMBO", see details below.  BUX COMM © graphics 1998-2004 (c)

By combining a pair (two) of the single band HF Mobile (loaded) tunable-tip antennas, you can have an ideal, single element, (bi-directional) horizontal dipole. ←  At left;  is a photo of the BUX CommCo dipole configuration using a pair of our model BHF20M mobile antennas, and our model DABRKT "Double Antenna BRacKeT."   The DABRKT will fit up to one and a quarter inch (1-1/4") diameter mast. The supporting mast is attached to the apex of our warehouse.  Overall height of my antenna above ground is only 17 feet. When you see me on 20 meters (14.070,15 USB) running test on RASCAL interfaces, this is the antenna I am using.   ←  By combining a pair (two) of the single band HF (VHF) whips at left, you can have an ideal, single element, horizontal dipole (beam). This type antenna opens the world of HF and VHF communications for the apartment dweller, RV HAM, field-day operating, and a variety of other uses and applications. Bracket alone is $16.95 $16.95 each  DBLBRKT  tuneable-tip antennas allow adjusting for minimum VSWR.   or see the DBLSPCL; details below↓ ←  When you see me in QSO on 20 meters, using PSK31, I am using this antenna mount with two of the BHF-20 M antennas at 17 ft.  An FT-817 at 5 watts PEP, worked 50 + countries. When installed on a rotor, this combo makes a great bi-directional fixed-station antenna.   Turning radius, seventeen feet, (approx). HF Mobile (loaded), tunable-tip antennas

BUX HF MOBILE ANTENNAS Tunable-tip enables adjusting for minimum VSWR. Mobile tuneable-tip antennas. BHF75M  75 METER  3/8" X 24 THREAD   8 feet long $16.95 BHF40M 40 METER  3/8" X 24 THREAD  8 feet long $16.95   BHF20M 20 METER 3/8" X 24 THREAD  8 feet long $16.95   BHF17M 17 METER  3/8" X 24 THREAD 8 feet long $16.95  BHF15M 15 METER 3/8" X 24 THREAD 8 feet long $16.95   BHF10M 10 METER  3/8" X 24 THREAD 8 feet long $16.95  BHF6M  6 METER  3/8" X 24 THREAD 6 feet long  $16.95   Spare 48 inch stainless-steel stinger (TIPS) for above antennas. TIP48,   $2.95   Here's the perfect solution for your RV and portable HF antenna applications.   Use our dipole, mast-mounted bracket for 'fixed-station',  field-day operating, apartment dwellers, and the RV  travelers.  With two of the mobile HF antennas shown at left, you can have the best of both worlds. By combining a pair (two) of the single band HF Mobile (loaded) tuneable-tip antennas, and (VHF) whips at left, you can have an ideal, single element, horizontal dipole (beam). This type antenna opens the world of HF and VHF communications for the apartment dweller, RV HAM, field-day operating, and a variety of other uses and applications.  Antenna(s) Not Included. $16.95 each  DBLBRKT  tuneable-tip antennas allow adjusting for minimum VSWR.   By combining a pair (two) of the single band HF Mobile (loaded) tuneable-tip antennas above, you can have an ideal, single element, horizontal dipole (beam). This type antenna opens the world of HF communications for the apartment dweller, RV HAM, field-day operating, and a variety of other uses and applications.  The packages described below include two antenna, the Double Antenna-Bracket (DBLBRKT), and mounting hardware $ 39.97 DBLSPCL (without BALUN) With BALUN, see "DBLCOMBO", below. 75 Meters→,    40 Meters→,    20 Meters→, 17 Meters→,    15 Meters→,    10 Meters→,    6 Meters →  By combining a pair (two) of the single band HF Mobile (loaded) tuneable-tip antennas above, you can have an ideal, single element, horizontal dipole (beam). This type antenna opens the world of HF communications for the apartment dweller, RV HAM, field-day operating, and a variety of other uses and applications.  The package described below includes two antenna, the Double-Bracket (DBLBRKT), mounting hardware, and BUX BALUN (UNUN).    $AVE $$$$$, ADD the BUX UNUN , shown below, BOTH, DPLSPCL & BUXUNUN, for only $ 54.97, ORDER, DBLCOMBO  75 Meters→,   40 Meters→,   20 Meters→,  17 Meters→,   15 Meters→,   10 Meters→   6  Meters →