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Last week's article, on my efforts to construct a beer can antenna, prompted
some great email from readers across the country. I got great suggestions
from radio hams, like Greg, who recommended I try ten-foot lengths
of aluminum downspouting instead of beer cans. He also recommended
binding these lengths together with sheet metal screws, and, most importantly,
pointed out the importance of the radial
system. Following Greg's advice, I plan on attaching the
center part of the coaxial to the beer cans, and the braided wires
to the radials - all the while making sure that the radials and the
vertical don't meet on the antenna.
Another reader, Steve, recalled hearing a lot about the "idea" of a beer can
antenna back in the 60s, but didn't actually ever come across one.
He did, however, share with me his success at the 80'x16' metal roof
of his mobile home. He was able to pick up 80, 40, 30, and 20 meters
- pretty impressive. Steve also mentioned that people interested in
beer can antennas might also be interested in other homebrew antennas
such as the bazooka antenna. If you're curious about that one, check
out this site, http://www.leeslimo.com/bazooka.htm,
though the layout is a little messy, it gives you the directions for building your own
double bazooka antenna.
One of the funniest emails I received was from Chris, who recounted how
once, while a student in Boston, he had tried to improve his reception
on a Drake SW-4A receiver by stringing a random wire through his room.
That didn't work, so instead, he tried to take advantage of his 16th
floor dorm by lowering a wire out his window, and attaching a can of
tomato soup as a weight. This makeshift vertical antenna worked well,
Chris said, "as long as it wasn't windy." Now here's the funny part
in Chris' own words: "One night I noticed the wire seemed loose so
I reeled it in to find my soup can missing with an empty can of beer
in its place!" What an excellent story. Too bad the can was empty, though.
I love getting emails like these - if you have a story you'd like to
share, let me know. I'd be happy to consider working it into an article
- especially if you’re story relates to radio. Thanks for reading this
article. If you're reading this on Monday, I hope you're having a fine
Labor Day.
Reader recommended links:
For
antenna basics
For lots of information on
vertical antennas (like a beer can antenna)
The Amateur Radio Relay League
General information on amateur radio
Click the following link to view our What's
in the News Archives.
As always, please email me with any questions, comments
or article suggestions you might have. The world of radio is so much fun and so enormous, we at
C.Crane are always looking for ways to get more people into it. Many thanks to all of you who
write. Good-bye for now, Carlos. About the author.
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