After setting up a radio communication station at remote sites, I discovered I could put a 2 meter ground plane antenna on top of a 6 meter dipole antenna using two 3/4 inch PVC Cross Fittings on a single 3/4 inch PVC center pole. This Do-It-Yourself (DIY) HAM Radio Antenna Connector is made from a Cross PVC Fitting, an SO239 Coax Connector, and some hardware. It can be used to make a UHF/VHF Ground Plane Antenna, or an HF Dipole Antenna.
Antenna Formulas: 234/MHz = 1/4 wave length in feet 2808/MHz = 1/4 wave length in inches
Use the above formulas to determine the length of the antenna radials. For example:
52 MHz (6 meters) = 4.5 feet or 54 inches 146 MHz (2 meters) = 19.23 inches 224 MHz (1.25 meters) = 12.54 inches 435 MHz (70 centimeters) = 6.46 inches
For the UHF/VHF Groung Plane Antenna, I use one vertical radial, or radiator, and two ground radials.
The radials could be any piece of metal. I use telescopic antennas, or rabbit ears, for my mobile radio station, that can be purchased online, or at the 99 Cents Only Store. I use copper tubing on my home radio station, that can be purchased at the Home Depot. For my 6 meter Dipole HF Antenna, I used white stranded lamp wire, that can be purchased at the Home Depot. You could make any HF band dipole antenna, as long as you use the above formula to determine how long each end of the antenna should be. For example, you would need two 16 feet pieces of wire for a 20 meter dipole antenna.
Each of the 3 antenna radials for a UHF/VHF ground plane antenna must be the same length for the following band you are transmitting on.
2.00 meters, 146.00 MHz, 19.00 inches 1.25 meters, 223.50 MHz, 11.50 inches 0.70 meters, 435.00 MHz, 18.00 inches
SO239 Coax Connector $3.00 3/4 Inch Cross PVC Fitting $3.00 adjustable telescoping antennas x 3 $3.00 #6-32 x 3/4 in bolt & nut x 1 $0.16 #6-32 x 2 in bolt & nut x 1 $0.26 #6 lock washers x 2 $0.13 #6-32 wing nuts x 2 $0.43 #6 flat washers x 4 $0.17 Total $10.15
Unassembled Kit $12 Assembled & Tested $15 (Plus $10 postage if mailed via USPS)
For more information, please email me at: WO4ROB@gmail.com