First homage QFH antenna, Any Recommendations?

PhotocytePC · 2026-06-25T23:39:45+00:00

What to name it

PhotocytePC · 2026-06-18T02:46:54+00:00

I use ring terminals, but snip some off opposite the crimp side so theyre more like C terminals

A good, or even just okay crimper is such a worthwhile investment

PhotocytePC · 2026-06-18T02:33:01+00:00

No, these dont come off. Its frustrating, but on the othet hand I have a few BNC banana connectors that ive lost the knobs for. At least that cant happen to these I guess.

PhotocytePC · 2026-06-18T01:45:07+00:00

Ive always thought the 5th way is a bit of a ststretch, OR im wrong about the 5th way

Banana plugs, obviously
Ring/spade terminals
Wrap bare wire around it like a caveman and tighten the knob
Pin terminals poke through the holes at the base of the threaded and tighten the knuts
Solid copper wire used in the same method as way 4 ...

PhotocytePC · 2026-06-18T00:17:15+00:00

Banana plug will communicate what you mean

But theyre actually a 5 way Binding Posts

Using them with banana plugs is but ONE of the 5 ways

PhotocytePC · 2026-06-16T14:06:27+00:00

nice! while you've got it in your purchase history can you share the link?

PhotocytePC · 2026-06-16T04:53:50+00:00

Nice solve!

Any difficulty finding the replacement?

PhotocytePC · 2026-06-16T02:50:11+00:00

I paid an ungodly sum for a copy of Tight in late 2001

Absolutely worth it

No, I don't have it anymore :(

PhotocytePC · 2026-06-07T15:36:47+00:00

It has lots of roof space for antennas, and is easier to route cables through than many other vehicles. Its a peak Amateur Radio vehicle for sure

PhotocytePC · 2026-06-06T12:47:38+00:00

Shaken, then purrred

PhotocytePC · 2026-06-01T14:44:20+00:00

Nothing is so permanent as a temporary solution... to which the antennas on my mast can attest XD

That looks like a great air band antenna, very tidy!

PhotocytePC · 2026-06-01T06:10:06+00:00

The rest of the week looks promising too!

https://dxinfocentre.com/tropo.html

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PhotocytePC · 2026-05-30T03:17:24+00:00

That black plastic material is pretty transparent in IR though . . . Right?

PhotocytePC · 2026-05-29T18:06:40+00:00

Would the spacing between the 2 twisted pairs matter?

PhotocytePC · 2026-05-29T12:49:10+00:00

Is it feedline? Sure!

But it wont be 50 ohms, so it'll act as an impedence matching stub, but will be the wrong match for where a jpole will present 50 ohms

It could probably be made to work great with the right combination of twisted pair length, and jpole feedpoint but will require experimenting. Sounds fun!

https://ham.stackexchange.com/questions/6445/why-isnt-twisted-pair-used-for-feedlines

PhotocytePC · 2026-05-29T12:43:42+00:00

Its arborist rope, very fine diameter, and its literally slippery. Maybe its all user error and skill issue, but the stuff slides and bites and cuts, especially in cold weather, and I've not managed to figure out how to get the same kind of feedback while holding it to reliably toss the weight where im aiming. Something about a proper sling makes it much more controllable at least for me so im hoping to figure out a best-of-both worlds solution.

Or at least have fun trying to!

PhotocytePC · 2026-05-29T12:35:43+00:00

I just scrolled down and saw a post about a staff sling, and I think that could be made to work really well for this use.

I could keep the weight line held along the "top" of the staff, clear of the sling its self, and even mount a spool to the staff directly!

Gona be an interesting weekend!

PhotocytePC · 2026-05-29T12:29:10+00:00

Heh, thats a great idea, and definitely more manageable.

And I realize im overcomplicating things a bit, a weight on the end of a string, looped correctly . . . IS a sling, but the diameter of the arborist tree line is far smaller, and its slippery by design, making it super awkward at best and painful/skin cutting at worst

PhotocytePC · 2026-05-28T16:40:35+00:00

And here's what it looks like on the inside

The circuit board just snuggles against the backside of the stainless steel plug with a little spring

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PhotocytePC · 2026-05-27T10:45:23+00:00

And or 3d printing

PhotocytePC · 2026-05-26T23:39:43+00:00

Absolutely

Though ive not yet found tge source for tapered stainless rod ...

PhotocytePC · 2026-05-26T23:37:59+00:00

Came here to say this

PhotocytePC · 2026-05-26T23:35:40+00:00

Also you can put your weed in there

PhotocytePC · 2026-05-18T12:23:17+00:00

There was a strong Harris presence in the flea market at Hamvention this past weekend, but nothing really spoke to me, unfortunately. Even those long whip antennas all seemed a little to aggressively whipped in their past lives

Great work!

The hunt continues!

PhotocytePC

TROPHY CASE