This is what I have been up to for the last week or so, building this dual band antenna out of solid aluminum, I have used 10mm solid aluminum rod, and 40mm x 40mm x 3mm angle strut for the base and the driven element connected via SO239 3/8″ stud mount.
I am very happy with the performance of the antenna and the SWR of it. and it was a hell of a lot cheaper than buying one, and more fun 😛
And if you are interested in me making one for you, head on over to my contact page and send me a message
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22:28, Thursday, July 21, 2011Jack /
Hi Dale. I have been absent from the hobby for 12 years. I am struggling to comprehend what’s has happened in that time. Could you send me the drawings of the “J-pole” please.
23:45, Thursday, July 21, 2011Dale /
check out:
http://www.fwarc.org/Ant%20articles/J%20Pole%20Antenna.htm
13:56, Monday, January 30, 2012Gerald Mucci /
Dale:
Regarding your neat J-pole. Do you think it would work using the pre-threaded rods that are available at Home Depot, etc. for those of us without die tools needed to make threads.
The material is either iron or steel instead of aluminum.
http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-202183485/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053
Jerry
14:24, Monday, January 30, 2012Dale /
Hi Jerry,
I have never tried with iron or steel, as it would make the j-pole a lot heavier and in turn need more support when mounting on mast etc. How ever a tape and die set is rather in expensive. When cutting the threads onto aluminum remember to us something like kerosine as lubricant and to back off every couple turns to free up the die of aluminum sworf.
Good Luck with you j-pole makings
14:36, Monday, January 30, 2012Gerald Mucci /
Thanks, Dale.
Yes, I’m not worried about the weight because I would just fasten the L bracket to a piece of board to set on my attic floor. 1 lb. – 4 lbs. should make no difference. I am curious if either the material (aluminum vs. copper vs. iron/steel) or the texture (threads) would have any effect on reception or SWR, etc.
14:55, Monday, January 30, 2012Dale /
Copper is the better material to make the j-pole out of, next be aluminum and the iron/steel that is zinc plated (galvanised) as zinc is a good rf conductor. The threads should not matter, I just never tried to use threaded rod that all.
13:58, Monday, January 30, 2012Gerald Mucci /
Maybe the rods have to have a smooth surface.