[SixClub] Simple Sixer Portable 6m Dipole Antenna

[RICHARD BOYD]

I have had surprisingly good luck putting up a quickie 6M dipole on a vent 
pipe on a one-story house -- better than nuttin'!

I used what I had handy, the driven element with female coax connector 
attached from a Cushcraft yagi (with gamma match attached as part of it 
too).  The elements have U-bolts and saddles attached for connection to the 
boom -- which works fine on a 1-1/4" typical TV mast.

A less directive antenna like this actually may have the advantage of 
helping spot openings without turning the beam so much -- when you don't 
know where a signal might come from.  Due to the nature of 6M, it seems that 
when there's an opening it may not take much antenna to make a QSO. 
Obviously, if you have higher power and a yagi, and especially if you're 
competing with other stations in the same propagation area as you, it might 
take longer to get through if you are low power with a dipole, and on 6M the 
short opening may be over by then!

This might be a good use for an otherwise junk yagi -- as long as the driven 
element is intact.

If you don't have an aluminum driven element handy, it's very easy to make a 
dipole using wire, three insulators, rope and a coax feedline, which is how 
it's normally done on 40, 80 and 160M.

73 - Rich, KE3Q

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Dennis Kaylor" <k4oxg at tampabay.rr.com>
To: "World Wide Six Meter Club" <sixclub at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Sunday, May 30, 2004 10:51 PM
Subject: Re: [SixClub] Simple Sixer Portable 6m Dipole Antenna


> well any dipole is just that a dipole it will work okay when the band is
> WIDE open but wont work worth a flip when it isnt
> add that to the 5 watts that peanut whistle puts out and you might as
> well spend the weekend talking to a 15 year old for all the good it will
> do....grin
> i am not a fan of QRP or dipole antennas for VHF work
> i also dont know of the antenna you speak of but a typical dipole for 6
> is only 56in on either side so you could make it out if aluminum tubing
> and fold it down when not in use
> i am actually thinking of making a 6 dipole for grins using a couple of
> my old folding white canes(i am visually impared) which are nothing more
> than several sections of aluminum tubing with an elastic cord inside to
> hold them together and each one is 54-56in long....grin
> good luck
>
> Mike Myszka wrote:
>
> >Hello to all:
> >
> >Has anyone on the list built and/or used a "Simple Sixer" portable 6m 
> >dipole
> >antenna...or something similar?  If so, how well does it work, etc...?  I
> >just got an FT-817 and I am looking for a decent portable 6m antenna to 
> >take
> >with me camping (backpacking and car camping)...preferably one I can 
> >build.
> >Anyway, just curious.  If anyone has any suggestions for another antenna, 
> >I
> >would appreciate it.
> >
> >The link to the article on the "Simple Sixer" is attached.  It is a PDF 
> >file
> >on the ARRL website.
> >
> >Thanks,
> >Mike (KE4RNB)
> >
> >PS: To all the veterans and service men & women on the list, thank you.
> >
> >
> >------------------------------------------------------------------------
> >
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