Homebrew Slinky Ham Radio Antenna

A step-by-step look at building a low cost (under $10) dipole antenna. The question is...will it work?

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Ham radio
• cw
• morse code
• homebrew
• QRP
• antenna
• w5cyf
• SWL
• homemade
• homebuilt
• 5 watts
• MFJ-9420
• camping
• pop up
• state park
• low power
• dipole. Launcher
• slinky
• mfj-259
• icom 703

[lcfgroup]

Interesting-We owned the original Slinky Dipole Antenna company in the 70's and sold many of them. Our company was called the 'Blacksburg Group' we still have one unused in a box. They were originally designed as clandestine antenna for fast set up on various frequencies. They are useful but really as you say for the ham bands we don't really need an antenna that will tune most any frequency. A tuner & long wire works sort of OK and tuned antennas like a dipole is hard to beat. Dave KK4WW N4USA

[johnrob281]

@lcfgroup

Dave,

Tnx for your comments for following along. I really enjoy your videos; you always have good information.

73

John

[FarceTheory]

If your going to turn a Inductor/slinky into a antenna keep this in mind. 1 You can tap into the different spots of the line to find a desired frequency. 2 Doing so can also create a capacitor affect/tuning, Trimming the coil down can also change things, And adjusting the distance between the coils will have a affect! Please keep in mind I'm just speaking basic fox hole logic.

[johnrob281]

@FarceTheory

Thanks for taking time to send along those good comments.  Your suggestions will help the user adjust the antenna.

73

John/W5CYF

[raypsi]

The yl always tells me it's the length that counts, seems you need more length there OM.

I used a 4:1 balun only once now I only use choke, sleeve or ferrite cores over the coax baluns. If I have a lot of coax I use a choke, If I have lots of conduit laying around I use a sleeve balun. When I found a deal on some ferrite torroid cores I really like the ferrite.

I like your lathe there OT by golly.

73 OT

de n8zu

[johnrob281]

@raypsi

Ray,

Tnx for your comments and for following along with my videos.

You are correct, the slinky antenna can be tricky but can be made to work. Since the video, I've added lenght and a balun. Now it works fairly well.

73

John/W5CYF

[lu3dcs]

thanks for this video

73"

LU3DCS

[DG1MJH]

your slinky antenna is a very good idea! Thanks a lot for sharing this video! vy 73 de DG1MJH, Munich/Germany

[G0IFI]

Couple of feet of wire on each end would have brought that thing into band. A choke balun at the feedpoint helps a whole lot too, if only to keep common mode currents off that braid.

Has anyone ever fed a slinky doublet with open wire line via a tuner?

FWIW: I've had a whole lot of success this summer running QRP with a home made magnetic loop of 8 and a half feet of stiff, lowloss coax , that coils up and fits into a small package very nicely. Just hangs off the nearest tree branch.

73 de Perry