VE6AB Antenna Werks
70 Cm Yagi
With recent interest in my 70 cm Yagi seen here, I updated the information included here for those wishing to build it. This is one of the handheld yagis I use for working satellites (works well for terrestrial ops also) when mobile. I also have built it as a cross-yagi by adding a second set of elements 90 degrees to the ones seen in the photo.
I made the elements from 1/8th stainless steel tig welding rods (aluminum rods are fine as well) that may be purchased at any welding supply outlet. (3/32" OD elements work well also, as I've built the antenna either way)
The elements can be fastened to the boom in a number of ways. One way is to drill a 1/8th hole through the boom and you will find there is enough resistance to keep the elements in place once they are pushed in place.
I wanted to have the option of being able to disassemble the antenna for back packing. To accomplish this I took 1/4" bolts and drilled 1/8th holes through the center of the bolts. I then soldered the 1/8th inch stainless elements in place in the bolts.
The boom is drilled and tapped on one side of the boom to match the thread on the bolts. the elements are put into place and hand tightened only. The boom also breaks in half for backpacking.
Before assembling the center of the boom, drill through the boom for the driven elements and insert two 6x32 stainless screws from the inside. Use stainless washers and nuts on the outside to fasten the connectors in place that the braid and center conductor are attached to on the inside of the boom.
The measurements are.....
Director - 13 1/4" overall length
Driven elements 12 1/4" overall length
Director in front of driven elements is 11" overall
Front director is 10 1/2" Overall length
The spacing between elements starting from the handle end is.....
Spacing center to center of director and driven element is 5 7/8"
Center spacing of driven element and 1st director is 3 7/8"
Center spacing of the two directors is 6" center to center
The white pvc boom material measures 7/8" OD, a common size available at Home Depot. The black handle material is shrink-tubing. The overall length of the boom including the handle portion is 24"
Expand the photo for a closer look......
The antenna in use......
https://www.jerryclement.ca/HamRadio/HamRadio/i-sWs6WWt
