User Panel
User Panel
User Panel
|
Posted: 2/28/2021 4:36:09 PM EDT
[#1]
|
|
|
|
Posted: 2/28/2021 4:43:11 PM EDT
[#2]
Quote History^^^This^^^^ Try to use a low loss coax for runs longer than ~50 feet. |
|
|
|
Posted: 2/28/2021 4:45:27 PM EDT
[#3]
Quote HistoryQuoted: ^^^This^^^^ Try to use a low loss coax for runs longer than ~50 feet. What low loss coax do you recommend? I think the run will be over 50 ft. Might be 40 ft. in the tree alone. |
|
|
|
Posted: 2/28/2021 4:46:33 PM EDT
[#4]
Yep, same thing, love mine, got it straight from the horses mouth, great service.
https://n9taxlabs.com/shop/ols/products/single-band-slim-jim-with-10-or-16-foot-cable |
|
|
|
Posted: 2/28/2021 5:27:58 PM EDT
[#5]
Quote HistoryI was going to post this. |
|
|
|
Posted: 2/28/2021 5:29:33 PM EDT
[#6]
Quote HistoryQuoted: What low loss coax do you recommend? I think the run will be over 50 ft. Might be 40 ft. in the tree alone. |
|
|
|
Posted: 2/28/2021 6:09:02 PM EDT
[#7]
Building one of these soon. Probably could hang it or secure it in a tree pretty easily.
WB0TGE 2m/440 Mighty Woof Fan Dipole |
|
|
|
Posted: 2/28/2021 6:14:07 PM EDT
[#8]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Building one of these soon. Probably could hang it or secure it in a tree pretty easily. WB0TGE 2m/440 Mighty Woof Fan Dipole |
|
|
|
Posted: 2/28/2021 6:15:59 PM EDT
[#9]
This one is pretty stealthy but I wouldn't want to pull it up in a tree.
 Ham Radio 2m/70cm Vertical Dipole Antenna |
|
|
|
Posted: 2/28/2021 6:22:26 PM EDT
[#10]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Fan dipoles are popular here but made from 1/8" welding wire. Make sure you have it vertical if you're going to use it for FM. |
|
|
|
Posted: 2/28/2021 6:41:30 PM EDT
[#11]
Easy to make one out of a piece of 450 ohm ladder line. We made them at a local ARES meeting a while back.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 2/28/2021 7:31:57 PM EDT
[#12]
Quote HistoryI bought one of these a while back, but haven't tried it yet. |
|
|
|
Posted: 2/28/2021 7:32:53 PM EDT
[#13]
Quote HistoryQuoted: LMR400 equivalent. Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: What low loss coax do you recommend? I think the run will be over 50 ft. Might be 40 ft. in the tree alone. Thanks! ?? |
|
|
|
Posted: 2/28/2021 8:52:36 PM EDT
[#14]
No, DO NOT buy LMR400 to hang in a tree.
https://www.ar15.com/forums/outdoors/Coax-cable-length-question-Resonant-lenth-issue-/22-699606/#i11987317 I wouldn't use anything bigger than LMR240 to hang in a tree. I wouldn't use a so-called "J pole" either. |
|
|
|
Posted: 3/7/2021 8:58:08 PM EDT
[#15]
I finally made my first ham transmission tonight. I was using my Yaesu FT-70DR HT with a Diamond brand antenna replacing the factory rubber duck. My cousin 11 miles away and I could converse on 2M simplex with him using a rooftop vertical, but he said my transmission was lacking. I then strung up my N9TAX Slim Jim in a tree in the yard, and suddenly he could hear me loud and clear.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 3/7/2021 9:21:14 PM EDT
[#16]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I finally made my first ham transmission tonight. I was using my Yaesu FT-70DR HT with a Diamond brand antenna replacing the factory rubber duck. My cousin 11 miles away and I could converse on 2M simplex with him using a rooftop vertical, but he said my transmission was lacking. I then strung up my N9TAX Slim Jim in a tree in the yard, and suddenly he could hear me loud and clear. Height is might on VHF/UHF. You can reach quite a ways if you get the antenna high enough. |
|
|
|
Posted: 3/7/2021 9:24:48 PM EDT
[#17]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Height is might on VHF/UHF. You can reach quite a ways if you get the antenna high enough. Yep. He turned his HT down to 1 watt and I still heard him as well as when he was at 5 watts. |
|
|
|
Posted: 3/7/2021 10:08:16 PM EDT
[#18]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I finally made my first ham transmission tonight. I was using my Yaesu FT-70DR HT with a Diamond brand antenna replacing the factory rubber duck. My cousin 11 miles away and I could converse on 2M simplex with him using a rooftop vertical, but he said my transmission was lacking. I then strung up my N9TAX Slim Jim in a tree in the yard, and suddenly he could hear me loud and clear. Bad. Ass! |
|
|
|
Posted: 3/8/2021 2:26:49 PM EDT
[#19]
Update to OP
I purchased the Slim Jim dual band wire antenna from N9TAX Labs. Arrived today. Did the slingshot, lead sinker, and 30 lb monofilament trick and got a rope much higher in the tree than I figured possible. Hopefully measure it later but thinking the top of the antenna will be 50 ft. off the ground. Now I am shopping for a 1/4 in. dia. fiberglass rod to stiffen the Slim Jim per the webpage and take the coax weight off the antenna for hanging. Gotta figure out connections to the rod for the hanging rope and strain relief for the feedline. Looks like I need RG-8U coax to minimize the line loss and around 75 ft. of it so that's the next purchase besides the radio. Due to how much coax is going to be hanging and swinging in the wind, it needs to be tough enough to survive the application. Not sure why I am doing all this. Don't have anyone to talk with yet. Maybe just to see if it works! haha |
|
|
|
Posted: 3/8/2021 2:38:54 PM EDT
[#20]
RG-8X will be fine for RX. It will work for TX too, but you will have power loss. It's probably the best compromise between weigh/size/performance for what you're doing as 50' of LMR-400 hanging from a Slim Jim probably wouldn't be a long lasting situation.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 3/8/2021 2:46:23 PM EDT
[#21]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Not sure why I am doing all this. Don't have anyone to talk with yet. Maybe just to see if it works! haha We could probably talk across our hilly 40 miles on 2M HT's if we'd raise our antennas to 200 feet. 
|
|
|
|
Posted: 3/8/2021 2:54:58 PM EDT
[#22]
Quote HistoryQuoted: We could probably talk across our hilly 40 miles on 2M HT's if we'd raise our antennas to 200 feet. That's what repeaters are for, I think? My little Baofeng picks up the monthly net call on the Jasper repeater without any trouble so I believe with the Slim Jim 50 ft. off the ground, I expect to hit the repeater in your AO with a better unit.. We'll have to give it a shot! |
|
|
|
Posted: 3/8/2021 2:59:38 PM EDT
[#23]
Does your local walmart have fiberglass crappie poles in the fishing dept? That would probably be sufficient for what you want to do. They are like a cane pole but collapse into shorter sections.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 3/8/2021 3:54:38 PM EDT
[#24]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Update to OP I purchased the Slim Jim dual band wire antenna from N9TAX Labs. Arrived today. Did the slingshot, lead sinker, and 30 lb monofilament trick and got a rope much higher in the tree than I figured possible. Hopefully measure it later but thinking the top of the antenna will be 50 ft. off the ground. Now I am shopping for a 1/4 in. dia. fiberglass rod to stiffen the Slim Jim per the webpage and take the coax weight off the antenna for hanging. Gotta figure out connections to the rod for the hanging rope and strain relief for the feedline. Would this work for you? https://www.amazon.com/Piece-Fiberglass-Solid-Blank-Inches/dp/B0052TVI0K Hung my Slim Jim off my balcony last week. Works great. Picked up a repeater last night that is 60 miles away. The signal had plenty of bacon fry in it, but it was still understandable. I didn't know strain relief for the feedline was needed. Thanks. |
|
|
|
Posted: 3/8/2021 5:20:41 PM EDT
[#25]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Update to OP I purchased the Slim Jim dual band wire antenna from N9TAX Labs. Arrived today. Did the slingshot, lead sinker, and 30 lb monofilament trick and got a rope much higher in the tree than I figured possible. Hopefully measure it later but thinking the top of the antenna will be 50 ft. off the ground. Now I am shopping for a 1/4 in. dia. fiberglass rod to stiffen the Slim Jim per the webpage and take the coax weight off the antenna for hanging. Gotta figure out connections to the rod for the hanging rope and strain relief for the feedline. Looks like I need RG-8U coax to minimize the line loss and around 75 ft. of it so that's the next purchase besides the radio. Due to how much coax is going to be hanging and swinging in the wind, it needs to be tough enough to survive the application. Not sure why I am doing all this. Don't have anyone to talk with yet. Maybe just to see if it works! haha Shaking my head at folks who buy crappy low-performance antennas and then try to make up for it with low-loss cables. |
|
|
|
Posted: 3/8/2021 7:03:57 PM EDT
[#26]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Shaking my head at folks who buy crappy low-performance antennas and then try to make up for it with low-loss cables. I can easily get caught up in chasing dB's, but I have to keep reminding myself all the power in the world will not make the earth flat. The only real reason I keep telling me why a high gain antenna might be worth it - it is longer so it will be a few ft higher in the air. That said, I bet the 40' mast I just pulled out of the trash pile besides the house will help more. |
|
|
|
Posted: 3/8/2021 7:10:51 PM EDT
[#27]
Ed Fong dual band. He sells a portable roll up version and a permanent mount version. Both work great.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 3/8/2021 7:14:09 PM EDT
[#28]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Shaking my head at folks who buy crappy low-performance antennas and then try to make up for it with low-loss cables. I bought my N9TAX antenna to take backpacking, especially on my annual trips to the Smoky Mountains. It would sure suck to have some sort of an emergency and not have a cell signal. From what I've read, that antenna is supposed to give me a 6 dB gain, essentially turning my 5 watts into 20 watts. I'll be putting up a 70cm/2M antenna on the roof of my house for my HT as a permanent solution. |
|
|
|
Posted: 3/8/2021 7:15:27 PM EDT
[#29]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Ed Fong dual band. He sells a portable roll up version and a permanent mount version. Both work great. I have one of his antennas, and with it 30 feet in the air, I can hear repeaters 70 miles away. Mine is in a piece of pvc, and has held up to two Wisconsin winters so far. |
|
|
|
Posted: 3/8/2021 7:36:55 PM EDT
[#30]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Does your local walmart have fiberglass crappie poles in the fishing dept? That would probably be sufficient for what you want to do. They are like a cane pole but collapse into shorter sections. Here's an ideal solution I discovered for an easy and inexpensive mount for hanging the Slim Jim in a tree: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-72-in-Reflective-Rod-in-Orange-31674/304685893 Practically no weight. Longer than the Slim Jim so there is plenty of room on either end for connections or cut to fit. 5/16 inch diameter. Only $3.37 before tax. I scraped off the reflective tape, lightly sanded the gloss on the glass, and gave it a coat of rattle can camo. Blends right in the with tree. Next up is some stainless steel wire rope clamps to attach the rope and coax to the rod. The Slim Jim, fastened to the rod with wire ties, will have no tension on it. Only problem is my rope is so high in the tree that I couldn't really tell where it went so just to be sure, I brought out the binoculars to check. Damn! The rope is hanging on a dead limb.  Tomorrow it's another slingshot launch of the egg sinker and fishing line. |
|
|
|
Posted: 3/8/2021 8:30:03 PM EDT
[#31]
Quote HistoryQuoted: That's what repeaters are for, I think? My little Baofeng picks up the monthly net call on the Jasper repeater without any trouble so I believe with the Slim Jim 50 ft. off the ground, I expect to hit the repeater in your AO with a better unit.. We'll have to give it a shot! It looks like I'm 23.8 miles from the repeater in Loogootee. Obviously the ones in Bedford and Mitchell are closer. I haven't programmed my HT for any repeaters yet. |
|
|
|
Posted: 3/8/2021 9:52:50 PM EDT
[#32]
15 years ago or so, people on here recommended the N9TAX antenna. I ordered the 2m 70 cm one. He shipped me the 2m instead. I told him and he shipped the correct one and told me to keep the other. So I have 2. I dont use it much at all, but it has worked fine when I do. And the owner is a great guy for giving me a free antenna. I have it mounted inside my garage on the wall and it STILL hits all the repeaters i use.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 3/8/2021 11:09:23 PM EDT
[#33]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Does your local walmart have fiberglass crappie poles in the fishing dept? That would probably be sufficient for what you want to do. They are like a cane pole but collapse into shorter sections. That's what I got but I'm still not very good with aiming it. I saw one of these at petworld. Been thinking of getting one.  Attached File |
|
|
|
Posted: 3/23/2021 11:12:01 AM EDT
[#34]
Bump for update
|
|
|
|
Posted: 3/23/2021 11:50:34 AM EDT
[#35]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Bump for update Glad it is working out great for you! I didn't get your mention to this thread due to no space between my screen name and the next word.  At least you get to sit in a warm and dry house. I currently have to stand outside in the dark (and sometimes sprinkles) under a tall maple with my HT connected to an N9TAX antenna. I can reach at least one repeater 47.5 miles away with my screw-on 15" Diamond antenna, but won't get great signal reports. I got a NOS one of THESE from my cousin for $20, which will be going on top of a mast that will be holding my fan dipole -- as soon as someone will come off an old TV antenna tower. It was good to talk with you after the net Sunday night. It was the first time I'd heard your voice since 2004. LOL! |
|
|
|
Posted: 3/23/2021 9:19:33 PM EDT
[#36]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Glad it is working out great for you! I didn't get your mention to this thread due to no space between my screen name and the next word. At least you get to sit in a warm and dry house. I currently have to stand outside in the dark (and sometimes sprinkles) under a tall maple with my HT connected to an N9TAX antenna. I can reach at least one repeater 47.5 miles away with my screw-on 15" Diamond antenna, but won't get great signal reports. I got a NOS one of THESE from my cousin for $20, which will be going on top of a mast that will be holding my fan dipole -- as soon as someone will come off an old TV antenna tower. It was good to talk with you after the net Sunday night. It was the first time I'd heard your voice since 2004. LOL! |
|
|
|
Posted: 3/23/2021 9:25:26 PM EDT
[#37]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I have one of those antennas, its mounted on my house about 35'. I've been looking at a tree 60'+ and wondering if it would go up there....but the radials would probably get stuck...lol I wondered about hauling one up on a rope, too. LOL! I'd put it on the roof, but I'd just have to turn around and move it again when I get a tall mast up. My N9TAX roll-up is doing great in the interim. I checked into a net 50 miles away a half hour ago and was told by net control that I was loud and clear. He sounded like he was standing next to me. It's pretty hilly here in southern Indiana, too. |
|
|
|
Posted: 3/28/2021 4:00:14 PM EDT
[#38]
Quote HistoryQuoted: It looks like I'm 23.8 miles from the repeater in Loogootee. Obviously the ones in Bedford and Mitchell are closer. I haven't programmed my HT for any repeaters yet. You guys are pretty close to my AO (Washington County). I'm scheduled to test in a couple weeks. This might be a fun project while I'm waiting. |
|
|
|
Posted: 3/28/2021 5:23:43 PM EDT
[#39]
Quote HistoryQuoted: You guys are pretty close to my AO (Washington County). I'm scheduled to test in a couple weeks. This might be a fun project while I'm waiting. Well, maybe we can all hit a common repeater. I'm going to try to put a 2M antenna at 50 feet sometime soon, which should help me out immensely. I've got a couple of Salem repeaters programmed in my HT, as well as a couple in Paoli. I have no idea if I can reach any of them, but I definitely can Mitchell. Good luck on your testing! |
|
|
|
Posted: 3/28/2021 6:54:56 PM EDT
[#40]
Quote HistoryQuoted: You guys are pretty close to my AO (Washington County). I'm scheduled to test in a couple weeks. This might be a fun project while I'm waiting. Salem is 44 miles from me. I've hit Bloomington which is 40 miles away so if I squeeze the PTT hard enough I might be able to stretch it out to your repeater! |
|
|
|
Posted: 3/28/2021 7:00:05 PM EDT
[#41]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Salem is 44 miles from me. I've hit Bloomington which is 40 miles away so if I squeeze the PTT hard enough I might be able to stretch it out to your repeater! Maybe he'll be able to hit Mitchell, which we both can. Tonight is the net, so I may hear you. |
|
|
|
Posted: 3/28/2021 10:30:07 PM EDT
[#42]
Seems a copper pipe j-pole would have been easier and more durable. Run some paracord through the main element to pull it up and hang it it. Not all that heavy, can be painted any color you want to hide it.
My first Ham antenna was a 2-meter copper pipe j-pole I built myself. Put it up 40 feet (I had a tower some ogre built with his own 3 hands out of conduit... heavy as a freight train, but it worked.) and had no problem hitting any repeater in the area (Central Coast of CA at the time). Good to see you found a solution that works for you! |
|
|
|
Posted: 4/3/2021 8:02:50 AM EDT
[#43]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Salem is 44 miles from me. I've hit Bloomington which is 40 miles away so if I squeeze the PTT hard enough I might be able to stretch it out to your repeater! Quote HistoryQuoted: Salem is 44 miles from me. I've hit Bloomington which is 40 miles away so if I squeeze the PTT hard enough I might be able to stretch it out to your repeater! Quoted: Maybe he'll be able to hit Mitchell, which we both can. Tonight is the net, so I may hear you. I've got the Salem repeater programmed. Will add the Lawrence county repeaters this weekend. After I test on the 10th I'll try and reach over there. Mitchell is my hometown. I know a few local arfcom members over here with radios. None interested in licensing though. |
|
|
|
Posted: 4/3/2021 11:18:41 AM EDT
[#44]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Height is might on VHF/UHF. You can reach quite a ways if you get the antenna high enough. Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: I finally made my first ham transmission tonight. I was using my Yaesu FT-70DR HT with a Diamond brand antenna replacing the factory rubber duck. My cousin 11 miles away and I could converse on 2M simplex with him using a rooftop vertical, but he said my transmission was lacking. I then strung up my N9TAX Slim Jim in a tree in the yard, and suddenly he could hear me loud and clear. Height is might on VHF/UHF. You can reach quite a ways if you get the antenna high enough. yep, all the way up to satellites in orbit with a 4 watt HT. |
|
|
|
Posted: 4/3/2021 2:39:26 PM EDT
[#45]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I bought my N9TAX antenna to take backpacking, especially on my annual trips to the Smoky Mountains. It would sure suck to have some sort of an emergency and not have a cell signal. From what I've read, that antenna is supposed to give me a 6 dB gain, essentially turning my 5 watts into 20 watts. I'll be putting up a 70cm/2M antenna on the roof of my house for my HT as a permanent solution. 6 dB gain compared to what? |
|
|
|
Posted: 4/3/2021 3:56:06 PM EDT
[#46]
Quote HistoryQuoted: 6 dB gain compared to what? Compared to my rubber duck, I guess. *Single Band VHF* (144-148 std). *Can be custom tuned from 136-999 mhz. *Antenna body approx 5' in length. *Feedline 16' in length. *Will handle 100+ watts. *6db of gain. *Low radiation takeoff angle (peak <4 degrees) *10 oz total weight |
|
|
|
Posted: 4/4/2021 3:06:39 PM EDT
[#47]
rubber duck is typically -5 dB loss
the slimjim is typically about 3 dBi so compared to the rubber duck antenna, the difference in performance is typically about 8 dB gain in signal getting radiated. However some commercial manufacturers claim a slimjim has a 6dbi gain ( over what usually does not get mentioned ) because the slimjim tends to have a lower angle of being a 1/2 wave antenna compared to a 1/4 wave ground plane. So it gets.....complicated especially with claims that are not backup up. |
|
|
|
Posted: 4/4/2021 6:19:58 PM EDT
[#48]
I believe Ed Fong claims 6db over a rubber duck antenna. https://www.miklor.com/COM/Fong/DBJ1-EdsDesk.php Mine has worked very well, I cannot complain at all.
|
|
|
Win a FREE Membership!
Sign up for the ARFCOM weekly newsletter and be entered to win a free ARFCOM membership. One new winner* is announced every week!
You will receive an email every Friday morning featuring the latest chatter from the hottest topics, breaking news surrounding legislation, as well as exclusive deals only available to ARFCOM email subscribers.
AR15.COM is the world's largest firearm community and is a gathering place for firearm enthusiasts of all types.
From hunters and military members, to competition shooters and general firearm enthusiasts, we welcome anyone who values and respects the way of the firearm.
Subscribe to our monthly Newsletter to receive firearm news, product discounts from your favorite Industry Partners, and more.
Copyright © 1996-2024 AR15.COM LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Any use of this content without express written consent is prohibited.
AR15.Com reserves the right to overwrite or replace any affiliate, commercial, or monetizable links, posted by users, with our own.
