K6ZRH- TAK-tenna antenna demo (20M shortest HF dipole spiral antenna)

[N2RRAny]

Dandy, this vid had me LMAO. Your a funny guy! Experimenting with the Tak Tenna now. Started making some vids on it but step eventually leading to more impressive contacts if I can get the damn thing to work. Thanks for the laughs. 73!

[9w2pju]

hi, can i have the diagram ?

[smilerjeff]

Thanks, but i going by the video title, i was expecting a "demo" of the antenna in action. I have to them version on its way to me and would have liked to see it "on the air"

[scanfreq1972]

Wow, this is a great video. How could you go wrong with this? Cute kids, Elvis, "what's your call sign", and a garage full of equipment. The Tak is a project that I want to do next. I just completed a very simple 1/4 wave 20m vertical conduit antenna. So 73, K6ZRH this is KE5JPS.

[kc7wwy]

your garage and my shed could be related . hi hi .

[dandyradio]

Hi Gene,

Garage like ours only shows that we are doing something on radios. Wires and stuff everywhere means- We are an electronic ham and not an appliance operator.

Thanks and regards,

k6zrh

[Conde61]

@dandyradio

Hi danny  would be possible to post the measurements Thanks

[dandyradio]

Hi Richard2003,

Your 50 ohms coax is directly connected to the two terminals of the alligator clips. Just add a common ferrite ring between the coax and the alligator clip line to minimize the RF feedback to the feedline.

Better to solder after you find the best SWR. Sorry for the delay of my reply.

Have fun.

K6ZRH

[Richard2003]

Are those alligator clips attached to the wires and are they soldered on?

Where does the coax cable get attached?

Nice video.

[clagwell]

How does the Tak compare in performance to a standard dipole? I can just about fit a 40 meter dipole on my property, but it will be somewhat unsightly. However, I can deal with that more than having severe gain losses.

73's

N6MVY

[dandyradio]

Hi N6MVY,

This antenna really works on avery tight space. Just imagine a 2 meter VHF rubber duckie antenna; short but it works.

Similarly, this antenna is spiral to reduce the actual size. You can compare this antenna to a 1/4wave groundplane. I tested this antenna and made some DX.

RX sensitivity of this antenna is a little bit lesser than the 1/4wave groundplane, (maybe 2 bars less)make sense because 1/4wave is omni. Sorry for my delayed reply.

73,

K6ZRH

[OH2FFY]

Hi dandyradio - nice video.

With the TAK-tenna you will find that there is a lot of radiation from the feedline.

Install a common mode choke in at the feed point and you will find the true radiating ability of this antenna , and you will see that it is well below the performance of your vertical.

Regards

gregW:-) OH2FFY

[dandyradio]

Hi Greg,

This is my video last January '08 and the antenna is already installed w/ a ferrite torroid to reduce the radiation from the feedline. Now the antenna is working at average performance just less 1-2 bars on RX compared to my 1/4 GP. In a limited space, TAK is still better than the screwdriver mobile whip antenna. This is just an exploration of another type of antenna.

Thanks for your comment and I like homebrewing. Your mobile homebrew whip is cool.

73,

Dandy,k6zrh

[OH2FFY]

Hi Dandy

Yes that works in with the experience that others have had with the TAK.

Some say that they are several S units below that of a half wave dipole at optimum height - which is quit a substantial difference , but as you say it is small , and it does a better job that those horrid screwdriver ants :-)

73 from Finland

gW:-) OH2FFY