Makers – Antenna Builds

Satellite (2M & 70cm) Yagi.  This directional antenna was designed to hold a 2M-7ocm FM handheld tranceiver (HT) in order to communicate with amateurs via repeaters on low-orbit amateur satellites [to learn about amateur-radio satellites, visit the AMSAT website].

In this design, the driven element is the HT’s antenna. There are only directors for each band: 3 for 2M, and 7 on 70cm (not all made it into the photo).  This antenna can be made for well under $10. The full assembly instructions and measurements are featured in a 2012 QST article.

This is just one way to do it. Designs for cheap home-brew VHF and UHF Yagi antennas can be on several websites (here’s one by WA5VJB). The cheapest I’ve found claims to cost about $4.00, and the online instructions are accompanied by a video. There are lots of home-brew single-band designs that extend the range of your HT at home, or can be easily packed for a hike on the Appalachian Trail.

Mike, KA4CDN suggests the following Experimental Build of a HF Magnetic Loop Antenna