HFU HF Underground
Technical Topics => The RF Workbench => Topic started by: Matt285 on October 30, 2019, 0110 UTC
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The subject of Pirate radio wattage seemed to be an interesting topic. My next question is. What type of antennas are the 'Typical' Pirate stations using. Dipole, Extended Double Zepp, Verticals, Beverage type?
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The subject of Pirate radio wattage seemed to be an interesting topic. My next question is. What type of antennas are the 'Typical' Pirate stations using. Dipole, Extended Double Zepp, Verticals, Beverage type?
I tend to think inverted V because it's easiest to put up.
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The subject of Pirate radio wattage seemed to be an interesting topic. My next question is. What type of antennas are the 'Typical' Pirate stations using. Dipole, Extended Double Zepp, Verticals, Beverage type?
I tend to think inverted V because it's easiest to put up.
I think it depends on what your need is for staying out of sight. If I lived out in the country without a neighbor nearby, I'd go with a dipole. The problem around where I live is that every neighborhood has an HOA and few allow visible antennas. So unless you want to manufacture a mag loop that will hide in a fake Direct TV dish, you're probably stuck with using something stealth. I had great luck for years tuning up my rain gutter. It was basically a 70' long inverted "L" antenna. Got receptions all over the world with that, but I was also pumping out at least 500 watts using an Ameritron. The downside was that the wife didn't appreciate the garage door going up and down on its own or the lights flickering while she was trying to read. She shut me down before the feds could. ;D
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A dipole or inverted vee are probably the most common. There was once a joke going around that most pirate radio activity in this country occurs within 300-500 miles of Boston. Based on this NVIS is desired, and these antenna choices seem appropriate.
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I've used inverted "V's" the most followed by verticals with two to four raised counterpoises heading down from a common feedpoint at 6-8 ft., it's a near perfect match for 50 ohm coax at that height. I'd go with two counterpoises in an inverted "Y" shape if your region is prone to high winds. They're both basically a raised counterpoise verts.
Keep the counterpoises at least 2-3 ft. off the ground and have fun. The inverted "Y" is the quickest effective put up and bring down antenna for the portable pirate. Once you've mastered it it's 5 minutes up and seconds down if you have to haul ass.
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I am in a subdivision, thankfully no HOA BS to deal with, but seriously limited by the need to not be conspicuous/obvious. Inverted V over a chainlink fence is one thing I'll try. I'd also like to construct a 35' vertical basically a monopole insulated from ground. Where to put it is my issue.
As for now, I'm working on an inverted V and can hopefully get this thing up before much longer. I'm probably limited to 15' at the most on this one.
Other than that, I'm going to experiment with odd ideas and see what I get with them. It will be odd transmitting from the midwest!
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http://www.angelfire.com/bc/radio/antenna.html
http://www.angelfire.com/bc/radio/dipole.gif
//QRP
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A fairly stealthy hoa placating method is to string a loop of wire of appropriate colour tacked under the eaves completely around the domicile if one wanted a loop, otherwise make it a dipole, feed it with coax with some ferrets at the feedpoint to reduce rfi, and privateer away! If anyone asks what you're doing with that wire, tell them it's part of the security system.
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Endfed half wave antennas are simple to set up and can be hard to spot. I have a friend who lives in a HOA prison so we set up an end fed running up to his HOA approved flagpole, claiming it was a guy wire to keep the pole straight. Another one I know of had a pulley in a tree so the far end could be hauled up at night when no one would spot it.
The 8:1 transformers can be home made
https://pa3hho.wordpress.com/end-fed-antennes/multiany-band-end-fed-english/
https://buildthings.wordpress.com/ham-radio-end-fed-antenna-80m-40m-20-m-15m-10m-164-matching-network-balun/
Or can be purchased (just one of many examples and prices)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Balun-Unun-1-64-64-1-For-End-Fed-Half-Wave-EFHW-antenna-400W-/283566730902