[Elecraft] Bug Catcher Coil and How To build One

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Hi All;

Been getting allot of e-mails on how to build a bugcatcher coil so to answer
all at once, here are the instructions or at least the way I do it.

First obtain the following:
1) Belden 8013 bussbar wire about 20 feet  (you can use large guage
household
wire but it will not have the silver plating that is on the buss bar wire
and not as stiff)

2)Next get a 3" in diameter PVC or ABS section of pipe say 3 foot long.  You
probably have something like this at home.

2)Get a 2" in diameter pipe same material as above but you will only need 1
foot.

3)Have either a hot glue gun or some 5 min epoxy.

Here is how you build the coil:

1)Cut the 2" pipe lengthwise into 4 equal pieces.

2) lay the 4 cut pieces of 2" pipe over the 3" pipe on one end and space
around evenly.  Before doing this, wrap the 3" pipe with a layer of wax
paper.

3)Drill a hole at each end of each piece and into the 3" pipe so you can
screw in a self tapping screw to hold the pieces in place plus drill an
extra hole 7"-8" from the end  and put in a long screw.  this will be the
anchor points for the wire.

4)Use a vise or something that you can use to hold the 3" pipe while winding
the coil.

5)Drill an extra hole in the end of the pipe where the 2" was placed over
the 3" and put another long screw for the start anchor point.

6)Take one end of the wire your using to make a coil and wrap a few turns on
the start anchor point.

8)Mark the end of the pipe with 1/4" markings using a pernament marker while
pulling the wire tight.

7)Wind about 30 turns spaced 1/4" apart using your marked guide.

8)After about 30 turns anchor the wire on the end anchor screw you put in
earlier by wrapping a few turns.

9)At this time you can adjust your turns so they are evenly spaced.

10) With either a hot glue gun or epoxy, fill in the gap between the 2"
overlayed pipe and the 3" pipe.  This will act to hold the coil together and
keep it properly spaced.

11)After everything has cured you'll want to remove the pipe from the coil.
Remove all the screws you used to hold the 2" to the 3" pipe.

12)Carefully slide the 3" pipe from the coil.

13)Once the 3" pipe is removed, the 2" pieces and wax paper should come off
easy and your coil should hold its' form.

14)When attached to an antenna, use a wood dowel for the center strut or
white PVC.

15)Use PVC caps for the top and bottom of the coil or make your own.  If
using PVC caps drill holes in the top to reduce weight.  The doweling or PVC
pipe runs through the center.

16)A jumper is of course arrached (soldered to the bottom of the coil.

I hope you make a coil it's really not that hard and one can be made in a
few hours.

If you have any questions send me an e-mail.

Cheers,
Robert
VE3RPF