6 meter Rover antenna Question

[KE7IHG]

Gang, 

 Would I be better off with 1/ 5 element 6 m antenna or a stack of 2/ 3 element.

Thinking that the 3 el antennas would be easier to deal with as a rover I'm leaning that way.

Any input would be appreciated. 

June will be here before ya know it!

Steve / KE7IHG

[Edward R Cole]

Years ago I put together an antenna support in the bed of my pickup and had a 3-element 6m yagi, 7-element 2m, 6-element 432, and 18 loop-yagi for 927.5 FM:
http://www.kl7uw.com/RoverJune06.jpg

I removed all the antennas except the 6m for driving and put the others up when I reached my rover location.  I had a FT-847 back then what ran 100w on 6m.  Now I have a 150w Mirage amp that I can drive to 125w with my KX3.

But the 3-element yagi is now mounted on my tower#2 fixed at az=130 to monitor for openings from the west coast:
http://www.kl7uw.com/Tower_2_6m_2.jpg

at 60-feet are the two 220-11 cushcraft yagi with 11-element m2 432 yagi and HF beam.  Since this photo I have added a 11-element 2m yagi at 45-feet and my 21-element 432 satellite yagi at 23-feet alongside the 6m yagi.

I have a HB 6m dipole made from 1/2-inch conduit for roving (less wind resistance).

73, Ed - KL7UW

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73, Ed - KL7UW
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[Rod Johnson]

Steve,
  For roving, I think the complexity of stacked 6m antennas would over ride any perceived advantages,
  Stacking distance becomes an issue.  Very few 6M beams are narrow enough to allow transport while assembled (a linear loaded N0LRJ design being one exception, and the Moxon being another) so setup and teardown time becomes a factor
   A long boom five element is quite cumbersome and very directional.  I think Barry K7BWH would  agree it is not a trivial matter to get it up very far.  It is much better suited for portable ops, particularly if you have an assistant to help setup.
 
  A three or four element yagi on a 10 to 15 foot boom is much easier to manipulate, and has a broader pattern for Rover work.
  I found trading the necessary setup and tear down time, for travel time, was a better choice, and often used just omni directional KB6KQ loops for short stops, unless I was quite a bit out on the fringes of range.  One or two added grids activated (multipliers)was better for my score, than a few extra contacts squeezed out due to the slight increase from the gain antennas.
  Now, if you re planning to operate from the southern Oregon grids, you do not want to rely on omni antennas.  Being a rover there is definitely not a wining proposition, but it is FUN never the less; and very much appreciated by the three or four operators that may manage to contact you.

Rod J
 Issaquah

[Darryl Holman]

Hi Steve,

   I run a stacked pair of 3 ele 6m yagis for the CQWWVHF and for 6m sprints.    The  yagis have 6' booms, so that the antennas can be turned sideways and secured for legal transport without any disassembly (WA law allows for 0" overhang on the driver side and 7" on passenger side; Idaho is 0 on driver side, 6" on passenger; not sure about Oregon).   

 Here is what it looks like collapsed: http://djholman.csde.washington.edu/ww7d/CQWWVHF2013/DSC00730.JPG
And deployed: http://djholman.csde.washington.edu/ww7d/CQWWVHF2014/DSC01410.JPG and http://djholman.csde.washington.edu/ww7d/CQWWVHF2014/DSC01409.JPG

  With my current set-up, I add a 3.25' fiberglass segment to the top of the Harbor Freight 20' flagpole.    This allows me to stack the 6m antennas 11.25' apart (about 0.57 lambda) and put a 2m yagi between them. 

  I have not tried /R with a 5 ele 6m yagi, but I imagine the set-up time would not be trivial, and would almost certainly require antenna assembly and disassembly.   

  Also, I haven't used a pair of 6m yagis for the Jan, June, or Sept. ARRL VHF contests.  It seems like with 2m, 222 MHz and 432 MHz antennas thrown in, adding the second 6m antenna would slow me down too much in deploying and taking down the mast--all the elements create a jungle of metal to work around.  But it might work okay.

Best,
   Darryl
   ww7d

[Bill KE7NKF]

I have not done this yet as it is on the drawing board, for 6 meters I am looking at 3 element beams stacked. The fast way to do this and move is build it like a arrow antenna. Just screw and unscrew the elements into the boom. The mast will be setup like Barry's rover setup.

73 Bill KE7NKF  

[Brett KG7GDB]

I have just built a portable horizontal 6 meter Moxon resonant at 50.500 MHz using recycled 3/8 inch TV aluminum elements screwed together at corners with bamboo stake inserts. SWR is 1.3 to 1.8 from 50-54 MHz. The assembled antenna is 84.5 X 31.5 X 2 inch, including the frame.
I designed it using MoxGen. To reduce weight, I used 1/2 Inch PVC boom and spreader. I mount the antenna boom to a threaded T connector directly on a push up aluminum painter pole and folding tripod at 16 feet. It sets up quickly and will store easily on a roof rack or truck bed or larger SUV interior for transport.
Build tips: Using a metric tape is easier when making smaller Moxons, especially the critical gap space ("C" in the model). Keep the gap at the feedpoint narrow (~2 cm) and adjust overall length of the driven element including the gap to make the "A" side. Carefully built, it shouldn't require tuning and will match 50 Ohm direct feed. Use aluminum or stainless screws to attach the N connector frame through one dipole side and a very short tinned copper wire and terminal lug from the center conductor to the other side of the dipole.
My design isn't strong enough to use while in motion. There are stronger all-aluminum frame 6m designs online, and commercial aluminum Moxons available, too.
-Brett KG7GDB
Salem, CN84ku

[KE7IHG]

I'm really after some more gain...and something a little lighter than my current 3 el 6 meter antenna which was made out of 15 meter mono band parts

I'm assembling this antenna now, not a huge deal but it still takes time. I've tried Darryl's 6 meter hex beam and while it works great/with fabulous swr the 3 el beam is much better.

After I saw Darryl's pictures with the separation, I not so sure now what I want to do???

Steve 

Maybe we'll even get an opening during a contest !

[Jerry]

Steve.. I always recommend   https://www.hamcity.com/store/pc/CA-52HB4-p499.htm
Should probably use a 'Tuner'.. (as I haven't been able to figure mine out SWR-wise !)  Goes together with 'Wing-Nut's.. (Ain't we All' !)
That was a 'Seller' to Me..     73
Jerry
VE6CPP
DN39or

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