Pleased to report that I made your design and used Field Day yesterday - I attached a 16.5' wire and pulled it up in a tree and from Texas had a blast on 20m. Contacts in Arizona, Maine, New York, Pennsylvania, and even Washington DC. This antenna is a keeper!
After reading some of these comments I would suggest that some of you start reading an antenna handbook so you have some idea as to how a coil works and how they are constructed. They’re are online calculators to determine the whip length and the coil inductance based on frequency. The only way you learn is by doing the research. Just use Google.
I just built the coil foundation in full length (used the one foot of grommet strip) to build the 80M version of this. I am going to wind all 95 loops and follow the plans otherwise. Great Video !! ordered the stip from McMaster and it came in three days. I am really stoked about the full build and see how the coil works
Hey Mark: I just watched this video, and I too would like to build one that covers 80m-10m. On yours, did it end up being 95 loops of wire on the form like originally posted? And what length whip are you using with that? Thanks W3TKB
Thanks for the video. Just a FYI, those coils are 'PVC wound', not 'air-wound'. The proximity of the PVC will noticeably increase the coil's capacitance and affect its self-resonant point.
The bottom 3/8 x 24 stud is hot. The separation from ground happens bellow that point, which is not shown. A standard mobile mount has a small, but effective for 100 watts, nylon bushing that isolates the grounded mount from the driven / hot lower stud. There is no connection of coil other than the red tap and the coil itself to the bottom the whip. I hope this helps. There have been many questions about this and I just happened to see it.
Put A Bigger Diameter Pipe ON TO IT And Cut The Strip Where The Clip Connects And You Can Wrote Down What meters And What Band You Can Get By Putting The Aligator CClip There. Tip For You All
I have a Hygain AV-18 vertical antenna. The original coil was oxidized and very hard to tune. I built one of these and purchased some coil clips from DX Engineering. For a few bucks I was able to get my antenna back online! Thanks for the information. 73
That's a great idea..although I needed to look up that term you used for a hose clamp..and although much more convenient it's possibly less sensitive in tuning vs the clip..the hose clamp makes broad contact points vs the pin piont connection from the clip..will it make that big of a difference maybe not..
Great execution, but remember that silicone is merely a sealant/caulk and not an adhesive. There are many epoxy products that can be used for this purpose that would yield better results. JB Weld and many other similar epoxies contain metal, so choosing one that's transparent would be free of metal. You could also do away with the washer at the beginning of the coil by tying a knot in the stainless steel wire, while leaving enough wire to solder to. If you like the washer, be sure to use a stainless washer.
the silicone is merely used to hold the plastic standoffs in place until the wire is wrapped. The washer is merely used to hold the wire in place so it does not pull through the hole. Use any method you choose. AND, their is nothing soldered to the wire where the washer is located. it is just a starting point to wrap the wire.
Question: All the videos show a coil antenna using grooves of grommet strips to space the wire. Would it work with speaker wire allowing the insulation to provide spacing?
@@mcso911 If we know what points along the wire were the right contact points we could just strip there. (I dont know enough to know why this would not work)
So the 18ga. wire , one end goes up to the bolt and nuts for antenna, but the other end just stops at the washer... connects to nothing? Just want to make sure, ty for the video 73s NS9T.
You jumped from an open bottom of the coil to a coil with an end cap. The bottom bolt that holds the pigtail, is it connected electrically to the wire inside the bottom of the coil? Thx, Brent
No!! That is what makes it adjustable. Red wire with alligator clip is contact from bottom bolt to the coil winding which is only connected to the top bolt. Otherwise there is no adjustment...
Nice build Sir! Although I’m really confused about a specific part number. At 4:45 you go blue screen and say “Sorry, wrong plastic trim part....”. Is this the Master Carr Grommet Strips? You show them in a bag in the video with part number then show the other part number. I want to make sure Im getting correct part here. Also, did you offset the grommet strips to give it more of a helical coil, like threads, to give your windings the threaded look? Or did you just even them up and glue them down so they were even and it just works out? Sorry for my stupid questions. Thanks for the video and please give puppy a treat for me.
With the two holes at the top, could you had drilled a hole across the pipe from the entry hole and just pulled it through then attached to the top cap vs. struggling to feed it back through the hole beside the entry hole? As for securing the caps I'd just use the PVC adhesive vs. super glue. I wish you had shown the completed project and demo it, but that did look easy to build.
Very nice video.few things I've missed is the side of the wire where there is banana clip, is it connected to the small washer from the inside of the PVC and how many turns did it take? Thank you
No the wire inside the pvc with the washer is just a knot to anchor the beginning of the wrap..the thicker red wire with alligator clip is simply connected to the bottom cap..by clipping it on different spots you lengthen or shorten the coil..Cheers..
The stud on the bottom screws into a 3/8 mount that has the PL connector (or whatever flavor connector you so choose) on it. Following is an example of a basic one. You can also get them on hitch mounts and stake pocket mounts for pickups. Or the tripod base that Wolf River Coils (and others) sell. mgs4u.com/product/3-8-x-24-threaded-antenna-stud-mount-uhf-female-connector/
But what happens to the bottom part of the wire that is attached to the ring inside the tube ? Does it get connected to something? or does it just sits there inside without a connection to anything ? Thats the only part I am confused by. thanks
NO!!!! That is what makes it an adjustable loading coil. The RED wire connects to the bottom washer. Then shorts the antenna at various lengths from the top all the way to the bottom coil. There is NO CONNECTION from bottom bolt to the coil of wire EXCEPT the adjustable red wire.
@@geneky4jn773 I am trying to make a 17' adjustable whip resonate for 40M. This coil should accomplish that but I decided to go big or go home. I used software to calculate turns & diameter and length of the coil. I'm doing 1-1/4 PVC x 16" long same spreaders as here (but printed on 3D printer) and 94 turns of 12AGW aluminum wire. I bought a roll of copper in case alum is too soft. Should tune 80M-6M . I also have 24 ea 33' long radials.
No the wire tied on the washer is just an anchor point..it's not electrically connected..the red wire on the side makes the connection from the bottom cap to top cap..
New subscriber here. Interesting build, easier than other DIY projects where you have to lathe in the traces for the winding. Do you have any idea how long this wire will last vs. stainless? I might just build one to see if I can, that is my favorite part of this hobby. One day I would like to make a DIY screwdriver antenna but that is more complex with the sleeve and fingers that make contact with the winding. Very good explanation and video. All the best! 73 de KI5HXM
Thank for video etc. Going to make one of these in the UK is the pipe diameter bore size or outer diameter. It looks larger in video than dimensions given. Cheers from old George Ps what is the coil diamer on pipe. Looks more 2inches. ?
Good day my friend..in the US pipe is measured on the inside dimensions regardless of wall thickness or outside diameter..but tube is measured on the outside dimensions regardless of inside diameter or wall thickness..a Stainless steel hose clamp which is commonly called Jubilee clamp over there could slide up and down making it more convenient then a clip on selection..overall construction size has little effect as its adjustable..Cheers..
@@agentcovertHi matey. I have improved dramatically on my earlier versions based on your idea. Still used plastic Pipe but using grommet strip spiral on former. Also made several loading coils for each band. So I just swop coils and shorten or lengthen telescopic to swr etc. Cheers from old George in the UK.
I have an 18.4 telescopic antenna (for 20 meters). I need to build a coil so that I tune the antenna for 40 meters. I have the following wire from Amazon: 21 Gauge, 99.9% Pure Copper Wire (Half Round) Dead Soft CDA #110 Made in USA How many windings would I need? Is there a calculator? Thanks KO6DEV
I found a program/calculator... Tell it length of vertical section and diameter. Tell it lowest freq you want to adjust to. It calculates the coils inductance. Then next calculator allows you to play with design of that coil... length, diameter and # of turns of wire for said inductance. Cool....
actually, I found the item by googling the part number... be sure to include the dashes etc... www.google.com/search?q=gsny-085-9-q&oq=gsny-085-9-q&aqs=chrome..69i57.15924j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8 now to figure out which of the vendors to purchase from... interestingly enough... mcmaster carr is not in the results...
@WD Bailey Thanks for the link. I never would have picked that out of the hundreds of "plastic trim" shown on McMaster's site. I couldn't even get any results at Thomas & Betts. I built a similar antenna using the string trimmer cord as a spacer, but never fully got it working.
McMaster doesn’t have these strips. They can be found here: www.anixter.com/en_us/products/GSNY-085-9-Q/THOMAS-%26-BETTS/Miscellaneous/p/837393?text=gsny-085-9-q
Pleased to report that I made your design and used Field Day yesterday - I attached a 16.5' wire and pulled it up in a tree and from Texas had a blast on 20m. Contacts in Arizona, Maine, New York, Pennsylvania, and even Washington DC. This antenna is a keeper!
Great DIY build! Thanks for sharing it with us.
I built this , except with 50' of ss wire, and my 17' CHA SS telescoping antenna and it works great up to and including 80m... ty NS9T!
That’s great.
After reading some of these comments I would suggest that some of you start reading an antenna handbook so you have some idea as to how a coil works and how they are constructed. They’re are online calculators to determine the whip length and the coil inductance based on frequency. The only way you learn is by doing the research. Just use Google.
grommet strips - brilliant! didn't know those existed - I'd been 3D printing them
That would work also
I've got a WRC, but I watched this too. A friend wants to build one. Well done video!
I made the coil using galvanized wire with your instructions. I figured out the length using the calculator. Thank you.
KO6DEV
73
enjoy it.
I just built the coil foundation in full length (used the one foot of grommet strip) to build the 80M version of this. I am going to wind all 95 loops and follow the plans otherwise. Great Video !! ordered the stip from McMaster and it came in three days. I am really stoked about the full build and see how the coil works
How long was your whip or stinger on top? I'm going to use a 3 foot telescoping whip
Hey Mark: I just watched this video, and I too would like to build one that covers 80m-10m. On yours, did it end up being 95 loops of wire on the form like originally posted? And what length whip are you using with that? Thanks
W3TKB
Thanks for the video. Just a FYI, those coils are 'PVC wound', not 'air-wound'. The proximity of the PVC will noticeably increase the coil's capacitance and affect its self-resonant point.
The bottom 3/8 x 24 stud is hot. The separation from ground happens bellow that point, which is not shown. A standard mobile mount has a small, but effective for 100 watts, nylon bushing that isolates the grounded mount from the driven / hot lower stud. There is no connection of coil other than the red tap and the coil itself to the bottom the whip. I hope this helps. There have been many questions about this and I just happened to see it.
What type of Aerial or whip did you screw into the Coupler
Put A Bigger Diameter Pipe ON TO IT And Cut The Strip Where The Clip Connects And You Can Wrote Down What meters And What Band You Can Get By Putting The Aligator CClip There.
Tip For You All
I have a Hygain AV-18 vertical antenna. The original coil was oxidized and very hard to tune. I built one of these and purchased some coil clips from DX Engineering. For a few bucks I was able to get my antenna back online! Thanks for the information. 73
Ok I subscribed and thumbs up in hopes of part 2 of that video.
Used a jubilee hose clamp to slide up and down for tuning - wrap electrical tape around the clamp to prevent additional contact
That's a great idea..although I needed to look up that term you used for a hose clamp..and although much more convenient it's possibly less sensitive in tuning vs the clip..the hose clamp makes broad contact points vs the pin piont connection from the clip..will it make that big of a difference maybe not..
Pretty good build. Thanks for sharing the knowledge
love the vid love the dog great for me im trying to get better connection to my local repeater this will do both for my radio
Thank you for the video. Im going to give it a try. Just ordered my part from Mcmaster.
The Coil looks really well built! You are a Tech... 👍🙋♂
Thanks very much starting my version right now great video !
Good job. I guess that instead of putting shrink tubing on the alligator clip, one could clean it and use enamal nail polish on the tips of the clip?
great video. I will have to try this.
I'm building one now but I'm including a matching coil on the bottom
excellent video, it would be too much to ask for another video in full operation, 73 de KP4PTT
Question how do you mount the so239 connector?
Thanks for sharing this.
Great execution, but remember that silicone is merely a sealant/caulk and not an adhesive. There are many epoxy products that can be used for this purpose that would yield better results. JB Weld and many other similar epoxies contain metal, so choosing one that's transparent would be free of metal. You could also do away with the washer at the beginning of the coil by tying a knot in the stainless steel wire, while leaving enough wire to solder to. If you like the washer, be sure to use a stainless washer.
the silicone is merely used to hold the plastic standoffs in place until the wire is wrapped. The washer is merely used to hold the wire in place so it does not pull through the hole. Use any method you choose. AND, their is nothing soldered to the wire where the washer is located. it is just a starting point to wrap the wire.
Question: All the videos show a coil antenna using grooves of grommet strips to space the wire. Would it work with speaker wire allowing the insulation to provide spacing?
Not it would not, The gator clip needs to make contact with the bare wire.
@@mcso911 If we know what points along the wire were the right contact points we could just strip there. (I dont know enough to know why this would not work)
@@stivostenberg I guess it could work. Try it.
Vi que a parte debaixo da bobina foi puxado muito para dentro do tubo, por favor diga como foi que conseguiste prender o fio da bobina ?
the plastic stand offs for the wire can be purchased at McMaster Carr
Part number 85085K4 25 in a pack, one foot long.
Thanks for sharing!
Looks good and stable 👌🏽
The end-caps look really solid!
Have lot's of fun with this coil!
Many greetings
Matthias 👋
DL1NDG
So the 18ga. wire , one end goes up to the bolt and nuts for antenna, but the other end just stops at the washer... connects to nothing? Just want to make sure, ty for the video 73s NS9T.
correct
Thanks! Great video.
You jumped from an open bottom of the coil to a coil with an end cap. The bottom bolt that holds the pigtail, is it connected electrically to the wire inside the bottom of the coil? Thx, Brent
No!! That is what makes it adjustable. Red wire with alligator clip is contact from bottom bolt to the coil winding which is only connected to the top bolt. Otherwise there is no adjustment...
Thanks for all the comments guys! It's greatly appreciated!
Nice build Sir! Although I’m really confused about a specific part number.
At 4:45 you go blue screen and say “Sorry, wrong plastic trim part....”. Is this the Master Carr Grommet Strips? You show them in a bag in the video with part number then show the other part number. I want to make sure Im getting correct part here.
Also, did you offset the grommet strips to give it more of a helical coil, like threads, to give your windings the threaded look? Or did you just even them up and glue them down so they were even and it just works out?
Sorry for my stupid questions. Thanks for the video and please give puppy a treat for me.
Nice.
Would 80 m still have a connection point on that coil or would it need more turns for that?
80 would need to be st least twice the length
Does the wire inside connected to the washer get connected to the bolt on the pigtail cap? Looked like it doesn't. Thanks
It doesn't get connected..other comments here explain more..as the video poster hasn't answered anyones questions unfortunately..
I put the part number in for the grommet strips in on McMaster site came up not found any ideas?
Is the pigtail with the alligator clip connected on the hot center terminal or on the grounded portion of the connector?
I must have missed something, but what are those strips you used, as I can't read the label on the package? Brent
Unable to locate grommet they said they do not carry this item - any other suggestions where this could be found
they have them now! Received yesterday
Please confirm the part number and the company that has for sale I am very interested
Nice job, nice video. Thanks for posting.
Barry, KU3X
Built one on 2" PVC, copper wire with just 4 strips, used hot glue gun to hold wires. Will build one with additional strips.
With the two holes at the top, could you had drilled a hole across the pipe from the entry hole and just pulled it through then attached to the top cap vs. struggling to feed it back through the hole beside the entry hole? As for securing the caps I'd just use the PVC adhesive vs. super glue. I wish you had shown the completed project and demo it, but that did look easy to build.
By doubling it back and pulling through, as he did here, will not allow the wire to loosen up very easily in the future!
Very nice video.few things I've missed is the side of the wire where there is banana clip, is it connected to the small washer from the inside of the PVC and how many turns did it take? Thank you
No the wire inside the pvc with the washer is just a knot to anchor the beginning of the wrap..the thicker red wire with alligator clip is simply connected to the bottom cap..by clipping it on different spots you lengthen or shorten the coil..Cheers..
Stupid question where/how do you attach the pl-259 connector?
The stud on the bottom screws into a 3/8 mount that has the PL connector (or whatever flavor connector you so choose) on it. Following is an example of a basic one. You can also get them on hitch mounts and stake pocket mounts for pickups. Or the tripod base that Wolf River Coils (and others) sell. mgs4u.com/product/3-8-x-24-threaded-antenna-stud-mount-uhf-female-connector/
But what happens to the bottom part of the wire that is attached to the ring inside the tube ?
Does it get connected to something? or does it just sits there inside without a connection to anything ? Thats the only part I am confused by.
thanks
Any suggestion for the whip? Length for whip?
Thanks for the video, im assuming that you connected the bottom bolt to the washer that's on the inside to make connection would that be correct
I was wondering the same.
NO!!!! That is what makes it an adjustable loading coil. The RED wire connects to the bottom washer. Then shorts the antenna at various lengths from the top all the way to the bottom coil. There is NO CONNECTION from bottom bolt to the coil of wire EXCEPT the adjustable red wire.
@@billclark148 ty
@@geneky4jn773 I am trying to make a 17' adjustable whip resonate for 40M. This coil should accomplish that but I decided to go big or go home. I used software to calculate turns & diameter and length of the coil. I'm doing 1-1/4 PVC x 16" long same spreaders as here (but printed on 3D printer) and 94 turns of 12AGW aluminum wire. I bought a roll of copper in case alum is too soft. Should tune 80M-6M . I also have 24 ea 33' long radials.
@@billclark148 wow that sounds great bill! Please keep me abreast of how that goes as I would be very interested of your outcome.
I have 1 1/2 on hand, instead of 1 1/4. Does it change much or should it be 1 1/4?
It'll have about 30% more inductance. You'll have to adjust the length of the whip.
What are you planning for a matching unit?
Can someone show me this coil with the radio connected? Looks fun but confused.
Does the wire in bottom, connect to the bolt on the inside?
No the wire tied on the washer is just an anchor point..it's not electrically connected..the red wire on the side makes the connection from the bottom cap to top cap..
New subscriber here. Interesting build, easier than other DIY projects where you have to lathe in the traces for the winding. Do you have any idea how long this wire will last vs. stainless? I might just build one to see if I can, that is my favorite part of this hobby. One day I would like to make a DIY screwdriver antenna but that is more complex with the sleeve and fingers that make contact with the winding. Very good explanation and video. All the best! 73 de KI5HXM
Thank for video etc. Going to make one of these in the UK is the pipe diameter bore size or outer diameter. It looks larger in video than dimensions given. Cheers from old George Ps what is the coil diamer on pipe. Looks more 2inches. ?
Good day my friend..in the US pipe is measured on the inside dimensions regardless of wall thickness or outside diameter..but tube is measured on the outside dimensions regardless of inside diameter or wall thickness..a Stainless steel hose clamp which is commonly called Jubilee clamp over there could slide up and down making it more convenient then a clip on selection..overall construction size has little effect as its adjustable..Cheers..
@@agentcovertHi matey. I have improved dramatically on my earlier versions based on your idea. Still used plastic Pipe but using grommet strip spiral on former. Also made several loading coils for each band. So I just swop coils and shorten or lengthen telescopic to swr etc. Cheers from old George in the UK.
Just so people know, that part number is a "Thomas & Betts" number. They'll be easier to find using the T&B number.
Excelente trabalho, fiz uma, e funcionou perfeitamente, 73 do brasil PU2RVN.
Thank you.
I'll add that to my projects list. N0QFT
glad to liked it.
When your measurement is 1.25 inches is that the inside or outside diameter
PVC pipe will be printed or stamped as 1-1/4" on the pipe itself.
@@stater3 Thank you
@@PatAutrey Anytime.
I have an 18.4 telescopic antenna (for 20 meters). I need to build a coil so that I tune the antenna for 40 meters.
I have the following wire from Amazon: 21 Gauge, 99.9% Pure Copper Wire (Half Round) Dead Soft CDA #110 Made in USA
How many windings would I need? Is there a calculator?
Thanks
KO6DEV
if you follow the video the 40m tap will fall about halfway on the pipe.
What type of glue did you use?
He didn't use glue, he used silicone. Anything that will hold it temporarily in place will work. Once wound the wire will hold it.
any advice on how much longer to make it to include 80/75 meter?
I found a program/calculator...
Tell it length of vertical section and diameter.
Tell it lowest freq you want to adjust to.
It calculates the coils inductance.
Then next calculator allows you to play with design of that coil... length, diameter and # of turns of wire for said inductance. Cool....
Steel wire has 10 times the resistance of copper, so it has 10 times the loss. Maybe not the best choice.
That may be true but my QSO's speak for themselves.
@@mcso911Every little bit helps, especially if you're QRP.
@@stargazer7644 I dont use QRP. 100w for me .
@@mcso911This is what I love about hams. They're always willing to learn.
The other wire goes
Have been unable to find the "grommet strip" at McMaster or anywhere else.
same here... sure wish this was more accurate...
actually, I found the item by googling the part number... be sure to include the dashes etc... www.google.com/search?q=gsny-085-9-q&oq=gsny-085-9-q&aqs=chrome..69i57.15924j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8 now to figure out which of the vendors to purchase from... interestingly enough... mcmaster carr is not in the results...
@WD Bailey Thanks for the link. I never would have picked that out of the hundreds of "plastic trim" shown on McMaster's site. I couldn't even get any results at Thomas & Betts.
I built a similar antenna using the string trimmer cord as a spacer, but never fully got it working.
@@kensmith5538 McMaster Carr has these again. Part number 85085K4. Got mine yesterday
hmmm
LOOK MCMASTER CARR PART NUMBER DON'T AN RESULT
Their part number is 85085K4
Nice "how-to" Video but that idiot running the loud machine in the background kinda ruined it!
GSNY-085-9-Q is not the mcmaster carr part number, but the thomas & betts part number.
grommet strips from McMaster Carr. Part Number 85085K4
McMaster doesn’t have these strips. They can be found here: www.anixter.com/en_us/products/GSNY-085-9-Q/THOMAS-%26-BETTS/Miscellaneous/p/837393?text=gsny-085-9-q
McMaster Carr does have these strips now. Received yesterday
Excellent video. Thanks so much! I’m gonna do this just to see if I can do it! K0PIG
Thanks for this! Awesome build and real money saver! 73 de VK2AOE
Nice video, thanks for sharing.
de W2MSA
OK. RA3TUS. 73.