Author Topic: I'm ready to get a Buddipole, I think.  (Read 19051 times)

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firewallsrus

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Re: I'm ready to get a Buddipole, I think.
« Reply #30 on: August 29, 2015, 10:35:03 AM »
I was reading this thread last week and I happened to have a hamstick MFJ-1640T.  It interested me because I have been looking for an NVIS (300-400mile) HF antenna setup to keep behind the seat of my pickup.

After reading what others have said, I headed over to Main Trading Company and picked up another MFJ-1640T ($14.95) and the dipole adapter MFJ-347 Double T Pipe Mount W/SO-239 $19.95  (http://mtcradio.com)

The Double T Pipe Mount connects one HF stick to the center conductor and the other to the braid using a standard SO-239 connection.  It can be mounted either vertically (For DX?) or horizontally for NVIS.

Not having a good pole to use, I grabbed a 12' piece of wooden closet rod in the garage and clamped the mount to that.  I installed the antennas 1 at a time to the side of the mount that connects to the center conductor and tuned each to length as close as I could, then installed both antennas.  My Yaesu FT-897D with AT-897 tuner was able to check into nets in Kansas and Texas (300 to 400 miles).

AD

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Re: I'm ready to get a Buddipole, I think.
« Reply #31 on: August 29, 2015, 01:10:46 PM »
I saw this posted by a guy on 100 Watts and a Wire FB page and started to think of using it at my QTH.

I have a margional end fedz wire hidden in a 3+ foot dia pine tree between two 2 story houses with block on the lower floor and framed stucko/wire lathe on the upper due to a HOA.

I would use one of these Jackite adjustable poles http://tinyurl.com/Jackite-pole to get it about the roof line. 
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ghrit

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Re: I'm ready to get a Buddipole, I think.
« Reply #32 on: August 29, 2015, 01:16:26 PM »
Would not above the roof line take away the NVIS idea?
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DragoSapien

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Re: I'm ready to get a Buddipole, I think.
« Reply #33 on: August 29, 2015, 01:25:16 PM »
I decided to go with the ham sticks in stead of the buddipole.

Tevin

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Re: I'm ready to get a Buddipole, I think.
« Reply #34 on: August 29, 2015, 02:20:44 PM »


The Double T Pipe Mount connects one HF stick to the center conductor and the other to the braid using a standard SO-239 connection.  It can be mounted either vertically (For DX?) or horizontally for NVIS.

(edit)


This is the exact same setup I use for my portable station on 20 and 40. Unfortunately, it's not as "portable" as I would like but it is a solid performer. The only thing I did different is that I used a right angle adapter out of the antenna so my coax shoots straight down, and on the bracket I traded out the ordinary nuts for wing nuts so I could quickly tighten them without a wrench.

Using my MFJ antenna analyzer, I set them just right for the part of the band I use most. I can run below 1:5 SWR without an antenna tuner.

For anyone looking to do the same, the biggest hangup (besides not being as nicely portable as a Buddipole) is that these "hamstick specials" are monobanders. If you want to change bands, you have to pull down the entire assembly and change out the sticks. I have my 40 and 20 on their own, separate MFJ brackets to somewhat ease the process, but unless you're willing to drag along extra coax, an antenna switch, and the necessary hardware to fly two antennas at once, you're committing to more than modest effort every time you want to change bands.

I'm of course speaking in terms of a portable setup. If you're using it at a fixed QTH then extra stuff for multiple antennas may not be much of a consideration.

Very nice setup, Firewallsrus. We are thinking in the same way.   
« Last Edit: August 29, 2015, 02:25:32 PM by Tevin »

AD

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Re: I'm ready to get a Buddipole, I think.
« Reply #35 on: August 29, 2015, 02:28:17 PM »
Ghrit

Most of my work would be DX at home. 

The antenna tree is below the "dot" and in the center of the big tree in the top photo.

The antenna wire can be seen in the street view.
« Last Edit: August 29, 2015, 02:32:12 PM by AD »
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Tempstar

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Re: I'm ready to get a Buddipole, I think.
« Reply #36 on: August 30, 2015, 04:11:40 AM »
You can mount 2 or 3 on the same pole 1' apart. I did 80-40-20 with tees and jumpers.
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AD

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Re: I'm ready to get a Buddipole, I think.
« Reply #37 on: August 30, 2015, 11:24:44 AM »
Thanks Temp
The only dumb question is the one that did not get asked!!

DragoSapien

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Re: I'm ready to get a Buddipole, I think.
« Reply #38 on: November 20, 2015, 08:50:49 PM »
OK!!!!!!  I changed my mind again. I ended up getting the Super Antenna package today. Now I have to get me another HF radio to try it out.

http://newsuperantenna.com/

spacecase0

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Re: I'm ready to get a Buddipole, I think.
« Reply #39 on: November 20, 2015, 09:18:57 PM »
OK!!!!!!  I changed my mind again. I ended up getting the Super Antenna package today. Now I have to get me another HF radio to try it out.

http://newsuperantenna.com/
I like the super antenna,
made many contacts with it
it is one of my favorites

AD

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Re: I'm ready to get a Buddipole, I think.
« Reply #40 on: November 21, 2015, 09:32:13 AM »
The only dumb question is the one that did not get asked!!