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eHam.net Survey
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Survey Question
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The Antenna - Buy or Build?
Ham radio has changed over the years...Do you still build antenna's, or do you buy a commercial product?
Posted: Nov 20, 2008
(2360 votes, 56 comments)
by VK5LA
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Survey Results
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I still build my all my own...
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17% (390)
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No time/inclination to build, I buy commercial...
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11% (253)
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My station uses a combination of both...
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60% (1410)
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I'm an Experimenter, always constructing/trying something new...
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6% (138)
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I'd love to build, but for reasons, I can't...
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3% (80)
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I have a limited income, I HAVE to Build!
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4% (89)
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Survey Comments
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PERFORMANCE VS COST!
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Like most hams, when I can build an antenna that will work just as good or better for less money, I do.
When I can buy one for less than I can make that will work just as good or better, I do.
I usually build my own verticles and buy the dipoles!
Posted by
KI4SDY
on May 3, 2009
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Antennas Build Or Buy
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Both, but mostly homebrew/modified. The only out-of-the-box antenna I use is a Cushcraft A3S 20-15-10m yagi (with a homebrew choke balun).
All homebrew antennas I have/had:
80m cage inverted vee
80/40 trap dipole
40/15m dipole
20m half wavelength vertical
Phased 20m quarter wavelength groundplane verticals
3 element 15m yagi
6 element 2m yagi
Many of these were built when I was a Novice in '70-'71.
73,
Bryan WA7PRC
Posted by
WA7PRC
on April 4, 2009
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Build it and they will come
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So, I am just a little behind on this survey but I decided too post anyhow.
I have a mix of home brew and antennas i have bought. I have had many antenna projects that made and worked with very successfully. I have also bought many antennas that worked very well and were not cost effective for me to build or I simply lacked the equipment needed to construct it properly. I have many wire antennas up and working very well. I also made a couple of Frankenstein antennas that just didn't make the cut and became scrap metal.
I also have bought a few antennas mostly beams that are working very well on top of the tower that I lacked the time & tools to make. I don't understand someone spending $100 - $300.00 on a wire dipole. I can care less what they claim it can do, it is simply a wire. Save your money and make one it really isn't that hard. Some simple reading will give you all the tools / knowledge necessary to make what ever you please.
Good luck, 73 & God Bless
Posted by
N2QQF
on January 19, 2009
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Home Built
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Here in southeast Louisiana in the post Katrina era its best to build because there is no place to buy anything around here. I either build from the parts at a hardeware store or 5 hours to MFJ since i realy dont like Uninted Parcel Smashers. I do have to wait for a hamfest to get feedline closer because the local truck stops dont even have much of that anymore for the mobile.
Posted by
KE5VUI
on December 28, 2008
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home brew antennas
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the only time i ever used a bought beam was as jy9rv. in 45 years operating i have allways made my own wire antennas. I still remember getting up at 5 in the morning to work W1BB on 160 meters with a 270 ft zepp, did it to.(10 watts then). Anybody can throw maney at the hobby and work dx, doing it on a budget takes skilled operating, doesint it???
Posted by
GW3RVG
on December 27, 2008
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home built antenna?
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I mostly build my antennas. The first that I built was a modified two meter J-pole out of copper water pipe. The modification was that where the "Elbow" would normally be, I used a "Tee" fitting, and brazed the "UFH" connector to the unused side of the "tee". Then, I snaked a bit of 12 gauge (I think) insulated wire inside to a point that I calculated that it should attach to the main radiator, and threaded it through a hole in the side of the little radiator across the gap to the main radiator and brazed it to the side of the main radiator. Works like a charm, going on six years. I take it down every two years, strip the clear coat, repolish and re-clearcoat.
Then, I tried building a 6 meter horizontal loop out of copper plumbing, and it was a disaster. Burned myself both with the torch and RF while attempting to tune it. I wound up cutting the thing to pieces, and gave it to my then thirteen YO son to take to his school's recycling campaign.
I am now working on a short 40 meter vertical with a huge top-hat, naturally in the dead of winter.
When I retire, I will be moving to a very rural area with around 300 isolated acres, and I was playing with the idea of a large wire setup shooting west on 80 meters...
Best and 73
Joe KB0TXC
Posted by
KB0TXC
on December 25, 2008
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Build Antenna??
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Many Yrs ago,I purchased a Cushcraft ATB34. It is a 4 el triband ant that works well with an old Dentron GLT1000 tuner.
I built a 160M long wire, 80 M dipole and 40M dipole out of #12 Copperweld.IT WORKS FOR ME. I can work the "normal" bands along with the wark Bands Plus 2Meters with this setup What more could one ask for except a headache trying to figure out what next can go wrong???
Posted by
NF9A
on December 25, 2008
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Antennas
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I get a kick out of building really big directive arrays from 160 through 10Mtrs; that I use for DXing.
My fixed low frequency arrays cost a tiny fraction of what a commercial broadast array would cost, and they are designed to withstand the 100MPH winds that we get on this 6000 Ft hilltop.
My goal is to have these fixed/switchable arrays also cover 20-17-15 and 10Mtrs, and surpass the gain of my 5EL wide spaced rotary Quagi!
Posted by
W6PU
on December 25, 2008
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Home Built Antenna
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I used to design my own tv antennas.
I used to read up on everything I could find on antennas. I finally settled on a homemade
UHF disk.
Posted by
LASSAR
on December 23, 2008
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Homebrewing: just fun!
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As an enthusiastic Ham operator I prefer to build my own antennas. I made Windom's, G4RV's, Hentanna's, Verticals and Horizontal's in all kind of shapes. Now I use a longwire with a great acting CG-3000 automatic tuner.
Greetings from Holland and hoping to meet you on the frequency!
PD2JHP
PS
My QTH is situated 16 feet below sealevel but I can reach a lot of stations all over the world..... with my howemade antenna's.
Posted by
PD2JHP
on December 23, 2008
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Whatever works
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Make all my wire antennas. You know that is a pain now that RS does not sell ant. wire anymore. Buy large aluminum types but have built plenty of VHF/UHF antennas in the past of the simpler persuasion, like small beams and verticals. Might build more upon seeing pricing of manufactured antennas now, but finding materials conveniently can sometimes be a hassle.
Posted by
W8AAZ
on December 20, 2008
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Do it yourself.
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I have put up and taken down many an antenna, and I still keep at it. When you do it yourself, you find that just about all the parts can be used and re-used many times. I have put up all kinds of antennas, and for me the best have been resonant wire dipoles and one giant off-center fed wire dipole. A few verticals have also been very good and worth the time and effort, but they needed at least 16 radials to be really good. You can make them better than they can build them. Yes, you can!
Posted by
AI2IA
on December 19, 2008
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Back to Wire
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After trying a couple commercial yagi's on a commercial
tower, I found that (since I could only ever put up a 2
element yagi) that there was no advantage of buying vs.
building with wire. My current home brewed K1WA array's on
a $150 military surplus mast - with the 8 position DX
Engineering switch out performs my old 2 element SteppIR
and my old C3SS. Same gain and F/B, but MUCH better S/N
ratio. The old noise that swamped those yagi's is now
completely gone. And the cost savings was almost $3000.
Posted by
KY6R
on December 18, 2008
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Build your own antenna?
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With me it all depends on mood, available parts, time and price. Mostly mood. If I'm at a hamfest being able to grab one on the spot usually wins out.
Posted by
N4PEQ
on December 17, 2008
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This was entered by mistake
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(wanted to post in the SMD poll).
Posted by
N4ZAW
on December 16, 2008
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I'm clueless
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Clueless over the technigues, materials and equipment used, and haven't found much in the way of tutorials ans supplies regarding it either. Some day, maybe.
Posted by
N4ZAW
on December 16, 2008
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All!
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Antenna construction is still one area where "surface mount construction" methods have not yet invaded. And before anyone claims otherwise, I have no problem with SMD -- I just cannot particpate in homewbrew in that small of an arena. If I WAS capable, I'd have been a brain surgeon with store-bought antenna farms and tower monkeys hired to erect it all.
And what would be the fun in all that?
Posted by
N4ZAW
on December 16, 2008
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Antennas
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My first antenna was built, a 2M dipole made from welding rod... the weather got to it after a year or so. Later on I bought a Maldol 3 element yagi which was in use for years.
I built a double bazooka for 6 meters, made my first out of state contact (actually over 1000 miles away!) with it.
When I upgraded to HF I pieced together a vertical from an MFJ 12' whip and a hand-wound coil. Worked Mexico from a hotel room with it, but it really doesn't work all that well.
Now I have a 2/70 colinear and an MFJ Isoloop outside. The MFJ is nice, but there's way too much noise at my QTH to do much with HF, so I'm back to looking for portable antennas.
Posted by
N3KQX
on December 14, 2008
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aerials!
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I used to love to build my radio antennas but now am disabled. All my antennas are now commercial but it's still a blast to work dx and ragchew with my Speed-X!!! 73s de wa1ufo-Hans
Posted by
WA1UFO
on December 11, 2008
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storebought/homebrew antennas
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HF Mobile:
Homebrew - Screwdriver
Commercial - Webster Bandspanner and Hamsticks
HF fixed:
Homebrew - 20m Dipole, (was building coax traps for it for shortened multi-band, but got sidetracked building screwdriver above)
Commercial - G5RV
Posted by
WB5PDD
on December 9, 2008
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storebought/homebrew antennas
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HF Mobile:
Homebrew - Screwdriver
Commercial - Webster Bandspanner and Hamsticks
HF fixed:
Homebrew - 20m Dipole, (was building coax traps for it for shortened multi-band, but got sidetracked building screwdriver above)
Commercial - G5RV
Posted by
WB5PDD
on December 9, 2008
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Buy and build, too!
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Buy is fine, especially for VHF, UHF mobile where you want to get on the air and not have to fuss with too many details. Nothing is more satisfying, though, than to build your own HF antenna and have it work to your satisfaction. I especially like to make HF wire antennas out of junk parts. Having a good, working HF antenna just for the cost of your own time and ingenuity is a great feeling.
Posted by
AI2IA
on December 5, 2008
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antennas
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beam is commercial(KT-34A)
but antenna for 160 and 80 is
a inverted L homebrew. Ground is
very important. living on a small lot.
Gerd
DK5FJ
Posted by
DK5FJ
on December 5, 2008
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Wire Antenna's
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I have nothing against buying antenna's but they are so simple to make and it's fun to do so. I have an 80 meter full wave loop and an 80 meter half wave dipole cut to the frequency that I frequent most. I don't think I ever came across a wire antenna that did a better job that the one's I build. Start today and build your own.
Posted by
KC5MFJ
on December 2, 2008
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Experimenting is fun
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Have had a 3 el Cushcraft beam on a 50 foot tower for many years but I like to play with different wire antennas for the lower bands. Building them and seeing how they work is fun.
Posted by
KQ9J
on December 2, 2008
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Building
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For me building is a no brainer.It is easy to build to a superior quality, without cost cutting compromises and still end up with an antenna that is very cost effective.
Purchasing wire antennas in particular seems pointless to me!!
Besides, if you build it, you enjoy a special sense of pride...especially if it works out well!
73 DE KI4WCA, operator of the infamous Lamewire.
Posted by
MACKAY3031
on December 1, 2008
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Building
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For me building is a no brainer.It is easy to build to a superior quality, without cost cutting compromises and still end up with an antenna that is very cost effective.
Purchasing wire antennas in particular seems pointless to me!!
Besides, if you build it, you enjoy a special sense of pride...especially if it works out well!
73 DE KI4WCA, operator of the infamous Lamewire.
Posted by
MACKAY3031
on December 1, 2008
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Building
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For me building is a no brainer.It is easy to build to a superior quality, without cost cutting compromises and still end up with an antenna that is very cost effective.
Purchasing wire antennas in particular seems pointless to me!!
Besides, if you build it, you enjoy a special sense of pride...especially if it works out well!
73 DE KI4WCA, operator of the infamous Lamewire.
Posted by
MACKAY3031
on December 1, 2008
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What's already built gets modified.
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I build or modify every antenna. My favorite is two stacked Maxrad CB antenna coil shells epoxied together with closewound #24 wire on the outside, a 680pf cap across the base, and a 4 foot whip - for 75 meters on my van. It covers 30kc without a tuner.
Posted by
N3EG
on December 1, 2008
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Building Antennas
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I moved from Arizona to Illinois 5 years ago. I could only take a limited amount of "stuff" along, and it didn't include towers, yagis, etc.
Since I now have a couple acres to work in, rather than a 75 x 120 lot, I've found that wire is just a lot of fun to play with! As an added bonus, there's the satisfaction of homebrewing and using ANYTHING that works!
Posted by
KD7DS
on December 1, 2008
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I build them
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I still like to build them. Go to www.antenna-to-go.com to see my latest. I have fun and try different things to see what works that I am told wont work.
Frank
Posted by
KL7IPV
on November 30, 2008
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I've built dipoles, random wires, wire loops, and my most recent creation, a half wave open loop fed with RS TV Twinlead into an MFJ balun and LDG tuner. The next antenna I build will most likely be an OCF dipole. When it comes to wire antennas, I build them myself. I bought a huge spool of wire from an Ebay seller to do just that.
I also have an AEA Isoloop and an MFJ 1621 54 inch whip antenna I purchased while living in apartments and a condo. I'm currently in a house on a small lot and those antennas still get some use.
In other words, for wire antennas, I build my own, but have occasionally purchased commercially made antennas because I needed something for limited space.
I'd like to one day have a good HF beam or a ground mounted vertical, which I'd probably buy in those cases, but for wire antennas, I prefer to build.
Just my opinion.
Posted by
KB5IAV
on November 30, 2008
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Both. I build dipoles, beams, and have experimented with verticals. My 2m mobile and my 2m/7cm vertical are commercial.
Posted by
KB3LAZ
on November 28, 2008
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You have to do it anyway.
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Whether you buy or build, you still have to maintain your antennas. You can't just put them up and forget them. Like all outdoor things, they weather and corrode. So, as time rolls past you will find the need to inspect connections, solder connectors, re-attach wires, check baluns, run tests. If you keep purchased antennas long enough, they turn into home built ones as your extent of maintenance increases on them.
Posted by
AI2IA
on November 28, 2008
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Build
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My grandfather, W2DGV-SK, always suggested building....even though he had a tower and a BIG beam!
John KB2HSH
Posted by
KB2HSH
on November 25, 2008
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Both......
Posted by
KC9MAV
on November 25, 2008
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Experiment and combine
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Given my limited real estate on a balcony, I experiment alot, combining commercial stuff with home-brew. Right now I use 2/3 of a Marine SSB vertical and a Texas "bugcather" loading coil, fitted togehter with home-brew machined components and set on home-brew cut masts.
Posted by
WI7B
on November 25, 2008
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Why we entered the market....
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The reason why I started HamRadioFun.com three decades ago was due to the fact that there was a niche of hams who were disabled, some living in retirement homes where the use of a soldering iron was restricted, the elderly, some were too busy working 60 hours a week and didn't have the time to build or some just didn't have an Elmer to help out.
Nothing at all wrong with buying, especially when it's unique and can possibly save you money in the long run instead of over-buying extra bundled wire and/or bulk parts that you really don't need.
Bill - WA8MEA
Posted by
WA8MEA
on November 24, 2008
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Wires, build, otherwise...
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I build my wire antennas.
For beams, I buy. I've built beams and they were never less costly to make than the commercial equivalents, when all was said and done: With the possible exception of VHF-UHF Quagis built on bamboo booms I got for free!
Those were high performance and quite inexpensive to build.
But if I have to buy aluminum tubing...no real savings there.
Posted by
WB2WIK
on November 23, 2008
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By NY7Q:
"I always build. the only non home brew I have is a TAkTENNA and I wouldn't take $1000 for it. It works great. especially with a rotor..."
Oh, boy--don't let the purists here see that Larry, no matter how true it may be!! :-)
Posted by
K1CJS
on November 23, 2008
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Antennas
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I'm not opposed to building antennas but The Radio Shack closed in my towm and it's 25 miles to the other closest one. When you figure gas and time it's cheaper to buy an pre-made Bazooka for $40 bucks (6M).
Dub
Posted by
N5NXX
on November 22, 2008
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Antennas
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I've bought a few mobile whips but I generally build my own home antennas. Usually wire antennas or verticals of some sort but I have made some vhf/uhf cross-polarized yagis for sat work. That was fun and a learned a few things. If I were to want a big HF yagi I'd probably buy since it'd probably be cheaper in the long run.
73, Mark
Posted by
WA5VQM
on November 22, 2008
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homebrew antennas
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I always build. the only non home brew I have is a TAkTENNA and I wouldn't take $1000 for it. It works great. especially with a rotor..
Posted by
NY7Q
on November 22, 2008
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Tried & TRUE
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I love to experiment but I always seem to go back to the Old "War-Horse Tried and True Antennas" like the full wave loops. Of course I do greatly enjoy, the SteppIR Beam.
Posted by
N5JFJ
on November 22, 2008
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I love to try new antennas
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I am always building and tearing down antennas beam, omni, and wire. HF and 2 meter. I always learn something new whenever i put up a newly built homebrew antenna. I have a blast!
Posted by
K9FON
on November 21, 2008
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it's economics
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I love to experiment with wire antennas. The out rigger on my tower has a pully and quite a few antennas have had their time in the system. My current favorite, still in place after a few years, is the 135 foot doublet fed with 450 ohm window line.
There have been many Home Brew 2 meter multi element Yagi antennas over the time. Found a great deal on a two meter Cushcraft ten element at the Cincinnatti Hamfest a few years back it's up there now.
Aluminum stock is getting too expensive these days and the hardware is pricey too.
Collecting parts for a good legal limit + roller inductor tuner has become quite expensive too. Glad I built a few when parts were still reasonable through the internet.
All in all building anything is fun. Making your own shelving for the radio desk is real fun if you have access to some good wood working tools.
Posted by
N8NSN
on November 21, 2008
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You have to balance
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If it's cheaper to buy a commercial antenna than to gather the parts to build one, then by all means go commercial. It would take me years to gather the materials to home brew a 5 element HF triband Yagi, and it would cost too much to do myself. But if it's easy and cheap (like a dipole) to roll your own, why in God's name would any self-respecting ham buy a commercial one? (Unless one is physically challenged and can't twist wires together.) I've built a 10 element circular-polarized UHF satellite Yagi from an old ambulance stretcher, and dozens of verticals from copper tubing and EMT conduit. They work every bit as well as any commercial antenna on the market. Save your money! Build your own antennas and learn something! -KR4WM
Posted by
KR4WM
on November 21, 2008
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Mixed Lot
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I love to build antennas when I have the time; even then they are usually the simple ones that go together easily. However, I will soon be put out to pasture and I can begin experimenting at a more liesurely pace.
73 Bill KW4J
Posted by
KW4J
on November 21, 2008
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Well.....
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Even though it may be possible to build one, I would say any mobile antenna is one that has been bought while fixed station antennas can be either. Unless you have all the proper tools and equipment, it is hard to construct a mobile antenna that will stand up to mobile service.
This survey should have specified mobile or fixed location.
Posted by
K1CJS
on November 21, 2008
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I like to build 'em
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I build antennas so I can work DX and I work DX to test my antennas ;-)
A big part of this hobby, for me, is trying to build the best antenna farm I can with relatively little money and incorporating new things I've learned how to do.
The only completely commercial antennas I've used heavily were a Cushcraft A3S that I had up for a while and a Diamond X-500 VHF antenna. I don't use either of those anymore because I can't really put them up here.
I did buy some of those Spiderbeam fiberglass poles to support vertical wires becuase I've got no trees... but they're not really totally commercial antennas in the end ;-)
Posted by
N3OX
on November 20, 2008
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Love building
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When i first started in ham i bought my antenna. After building my first beam it was down hill since then..
Posted by
W3NRL
on November 20, 2008
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Homebrew ants
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About 45 years ago in my early teen years of ham radio, I did all my operating from homebrew dipoles on 20,40,and 75m. I then read how to build a 2 element beam for 15 meters from telescoping aluminum tubing, so I tried it. I fed it with coax and a delta match, mounted it on a rotor on a 21 foot iron pipe and bolted the pipe to an 8" pruned tree trunk that grew at the end of a nearby outbuilding. It worked beautifully and I was very proud of my accomplishment. Today I have a homebrew 30m dipole and storebought Cushcraft MA-5B, PAR End fed 40, and 11 el 2m yagi. When I move to my new QTH next year I'll make a 160m loop and buy a tower and Cushcraft X7 yagi.
Posted by
WB2NVY
on November 20, 2008
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Antennas Build Or Buy
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Both!
KG6WLS
Posted by
KG6WLS
on November 20, 2008
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True Homebrew
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REAL Hams make their own vacuum tubes!
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2008/01/make_your_own_vaccum_tube.html
Posted by
KG4RUL
on November 20, 2008
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Antennas Build Or Buy
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My Multi-Band H.F. Antenna is home brew, my vhf is commercial.
Posted by
K4SFC
on November 20, 2008
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antennas
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Real Hams have a soldering iron and build
ALL of there equipment....hee hee
Just look at the IC-718 I built.
Antennas are one of the few things that we can
still build and for little cash.
KT4WO
Posted by
KT4WO
on November 20, 2008
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