5 8 GHz Double Helical Antenna

5.8 GHz Double Helical Antenna
In this video I will show you how to construct a double helical antenna for 5.8GHz. This design is useful in that it gives more db. Gain without sacrificing beamwidth.
3 turn = 9.5dbi 3 turn double = 11dbi
6 turn = 12.5 6 turn double = 13.8dbi
9 turn = 14.3 9 turn double = 15.5dbi
Template: drive.google.com/file/d/0BzmJ...
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[@jonbbaca5580]

Your antennas are works of art, regardless of how well they work. Thanks for pushing the hobby forward

[@DjTeddyGram1]

very happy with the creations I've managed within the last 24 hours of watching yer video!

[@robrow]

Hey Andrew, I just came across your videos this past week and they have inspired me to have a go at making my own to see if I can increase the video range and quality on my Quadcopter.

[@Dailyartpallette]

Thank you for sharing, just built one and it works great!

[@YorHighness]

I love your antenna build videos going to try double 2.4 ghz tomorrow..

[@mickturner6586]

Well done ! Very informative - thank you very much - Mick

[@nizarfalestine]

Very nice well done I like the way you did it better the others

[@manjx15]

Looks like that's my weekend project sorted! Just to need find and 18mm dowel.

[@dagobb]

I have been using a DIY 9 turns for years now, (learned from another video of yours), my best log range antenna so far! Now I wanna try one of those, but then in LHCP. I guess I just have to mirror the template... Thnks again for shrng !

[@narrykhan4620]

thanks Andrew your videos

[@tracibeacer670]

Good stuff!

[@danutsfpv93]

Which type of tin do you use? Can it be from a can? Awesome video btw. Thank you for the tutorial

[@benavitchvonsurfalotte5228]

Thanks for the tutorial Andrew. I discovered this video while researching alternative antennae options for my diversity module (fpv). This design has really captured my imagination and id love to have a stab and build a few to test but and i have a couple of questions id like to ask you as my knowledge on this subject is next to zero.. If you arent too busy and could find the time to inform me further id really appreciate it. Would there be an appreciable increase in gain if i were to add a third helix? would there be an appreciable increase in gain (or range or beamwidth) if i were to use a dished reflector? How much do plastic covers (heat shrink, protective cones, etc), paint, etc affect the performance of these antennae? Is there a simple explanation regarding "impedance" in regards to these antennae and how to calculate what size shims are required? eg: Does the required shim size change if i - add a third helix? - add more turns? - use thicker wire? -etc.. Thanks again Andrew, i look forward to more of your videos

[@mlentsch]

excellent - thank you!

[@tezoditeje3682]

hi Andrew, how did you get the 50 ohm impedance of the antenna by using the tin plate? thank you

[@DermagraFX]

Excellent video and very nice results. What changes in size would one have to make in order to make a 915 Mhz antenna like this? Cheers.

[@terjetularsen]

Great video! I'm trying to build one using a 3D printed template and 0.8mm wire but am a bit i doubt about the size of the 10x15mm shim? How do you calculate the size of the shim?

[@Baraka-yl2dp]

Hi. Interesting videos. What happens if you quadruple coils instead of double? How is the strength affected? Thanks.

[@watermelon7717]

very usefull, tks alot!

[@edcbabc]

Very interesting description. I have just built one of these following your guidance as much as practicable, and subjectively it does seem to perform (I do not have test equipment to really measure it). However, what would you expect the radiation pattern to be? The reason I ask is that mine appears to have two peaks roughly 45 degrees either side of straight ahead.

[@monic1509]

thankyou for your video, may i ask you few question ? :) thankyou

[@SladkaPritomnost]

I always learn something new in your videos, but template would need something like calibration, mark of 1cm or inch, Is it in Letter or A4 format?

[@ElPasoTubeAmps]

Andrew - I really like your antenna builds. I may have to make one of these but I would go for 2.4 GHz. If I do, I will post it. Thanks for your video.

[@andrewmcneil]

Thanks Elpaso you seem to have the same love of high frequency antennas as myself!

[@vanessacorp50]

Andrew how do I measure the impedance on the helical antenna

[@emmanuelokpas7807]

This is wonderful. What astronomical source can be detected using the 5.8GHz helical you just built.

[@TomTech24]

Thanks you !!

[@michaelferguson6296]

I like the ideas that iam seeing...they r up to the time...u here mi told youo.yeaman

[@DanielPerez-fp1xq]

What about polarization? Right, left, both?

[@ResistDemise]

Thanks for the video, very concise and easy to follow. I’m designing a helical myself and would like to know: how did you calculate the impedance of the tin and why did you solder it to the coil itself?

[@HorizonFilmsGermany]

How well do they work?

[@jailbreakmidevice7450]

Hi Andrew I got a question. Which antenna type do you think is better to use for indoor WiFi? Actually for a tree floor concrete building with 8 rooms. Thanks

[@sykoteddy]

What happens if increase or decrease the space between the coils then? Does it spread vs narrowing the signal then?

[@dragon121978]

What will happen if you turn the pcb board around and have the copper facing the front will you get better performance

[@kosalex]

Hi Andrew, your video is exellent. Can you tell me how much directive (in degrees) is your antenna? .I am looking an outdoor directional link up to 200 meters, can you help me? I'm not a specialist.THANKS

[@daveamies5031]

Could you put a 5GHz double helical centred inside a 2.4GHz double helical to make an dual band antenna?

[@kotik9254]

Is there any advantage to using thick wire other than mechanical strength? Does it improve signal?

[@OldDude909]

Andrew u need some tester ? I be interested how this compares to commercially available products

[@dragon121978]

For the wire could you use a coat hanger it's about 2.4mm diameter

[@roscored1000]

hi andrew not sure if I missed this but does the antenna perform better when vertical or pointed in the general direction of the flying craft thanks I have built several of your others and love the chance to increase my skills base. Also is it better to use double sided copper plate or single like you have, or does it not matter at all. thanks

[@analiensaturn]

Can you give me a link for that sma bulkhead socket. I've been looking on ebay for that type with the four holes to make a discone

[@kelleysislander]

Howdy, I've been looking arounds at other videos and some suggest a 15 mm diameter for the form, while you recommend 18 mm. What is the difference for yours? Thanks, Bill

[@lajson]

Very nice Andrew but for me it's seems little complicated to build one but you are the best antenna builder on the Tube ! Could you please build some 10-15DB antenna for 2600Mhz LTE ? Is it possible to build an antenna for LTE ?

[@dragon121978]

If you make a 3 turn helical double what would be the beam width and height for 5.8hhz

[@filmserve]

Excellent as always. Think I'll try these on a 3 antennae rssi tracking system for fpv. I'll let you know how I get on. Would the same idea work for 2.4?

[@andrewmcneil]

Thanks for the feedback next video is a single turn double helical for 2.4GHz

[@franklee90]

Hi Andrew, can you put your antenna in the Reuter for see the signal strenght on your software Vistumbler ?thankyou. Frank

[@jondavies450]

Hi Andrew, I noticed on the other 5.8GHz helical antennas that you have made you used a 15 mm diameter tube. What affect does the size have on the antenna.

[@pikas9428]

Hi, which transmitter angle has this 3 turn helical (45°) ?

[@gamestv4875]

I wonder if one of these tuned to Goes weather satellites would be able to catch a Goes signal to download Goes globe images of earth. Would love to give it a try

[@franklee90]

Hi again, Andrew, can you make a crosshair antenna and check its performance ??

[@X02AC3]

Would this be even more directional (narrower of a beam) if mounted is a can?

[@mrpeter81]

So mixing a left hand turn and right hand turn helical in the same antenna will give you more range? =/ Does this only work with a Dipole TX antenna? If using a right hand turn cloverleaf on the airplane the left hand turn on the helical wont do anything?

[@TheRealFobican]

Which type of antenna shape is the best for improving the signal in a remote area? The Helical or omnidirectional biquad antenna design?

[@Hallboy2007]

Very nice job, Thank you.Can you make for 1,5 Ghz or Inmarsat.Than you

[@MikeDesertHunterHale]

Andrew, does the paint do anything to reduce the antenna's effectiveness? One other question, of the antennas that you have built, which one gives you the best results, both in distance and in usability, say from your head moving... I actually don't fly, I have Crawlers that are often out of sight in the forests and desert where i live. Trees and bushes often get in the way and degrade the signal very quickly.....????

[@walt5797]

Hi Andrew, I see on the on line calculator that by reducing the wave length the calculated DBi increases significantly, for example, by winding an 1/8 wave length helical antenna at 10 turns its calculated at 15.27 DBi of gain with a 46.5 degree spread. Would this be a worth while build for fpv? and how do you think a double 1/8 wave helical would perform? Also, could one use thin copper tape wrapped around pvc pipe instead of wire? regards Walt.

[@DelQuad4X]

Andrew, thanks for all your videos. Very informative and helpful. I was wondering though, if you were to use 2 of these (in parallel) at 30 or 45 degrees would there be any kind of interference or cancellation? Would this effectively increase the angle of reception? Is this even worth considering? Thanks. - Mike

[@andrewmcneil]

+Del Quad4X The only loss would be splitting the signal between the two (3db loss) so you would loose some forward power, distance but you would cover a wider area, beamwidth.

[@DelQuad4X]

Thanks Andrew. Since I'm not planning on any great distance flying (FPV Quad) this may be what I'm looking for as a ground station antenna system. I want the penetration through trees, buildings, etc. Would I be able to negate the loss on this 3 turn by using the 6 turn design? I understand there is still a loss.

[@xxgianlucax1]

HELLO MY NAME IS GIANLUCA, CONGRATULATIONS ON THE TUTORIAL. WANTED TO KNOW WHAT MATERIAL AND 'THE SPRING AND THE BASE WHERE AND' BEEN WELDED? PS: The ANTENNA OKAY FOR FREQUENCY 5 GHz? I AM ITALIAN AND I DO NOT SPEAK AND DO NOT UNDERSTAND ENGLISH

[@AlexCausey]

I am curious if you can use the double Helix for transmit and do you have a way to check SWR.? I am thinking about using one for, 1296 MHz EME.!

[@michaeltrythall]

I would love to see a 2.4GHz Half Sphere build. I have serched for plans and details all over the net but have hit a brick wall. If you get the opportunity to construct one i'm sure allot of people would love to see that. Thanks for all your videos they have been very informative.

[@andrewmcneil]

Hi Michael I now the design well it was used on lynx helicopter close proximity radar system during the 1990s

[@michaeltrythall]

andrew mcneil Do you have any referance material for these atenna ..I have a couple small dishes and would like to use this design to feed them.

[@user-zk3os9ol3u]

hello! can I use 2 mm cable for this antenna?

[@devoalex4666]

Hello Drew... Are you going to be offering your 3-turn helical on your web-site...... thanx and good job on video's

[@YESILADNAN56]

I wonder what parts you use

[@Surferant666]

Good video. Simple but factual. Thanks. Whats the length of each wire for each type? ie the length for 3 turns 6 turns 9 turns etc Is the length critical? or the diameter of the loop? Can i use copper wire and a copper 2 p peice with a hole drilled for the reflector and stick a plastic washer for insulation. Would using dissimilar metal wire make any gain ie one coil copper the other ss

[@kutay_ozkeskin]

Mate, i made 2x 3 turns and 1x 9 turn antennas with the discription you gave, but they totaly did only 300meters and lost signal. I had done 2 different helicals about 1 mounth ago and they perform 1.7km range on same conditions.. I couldent understand why this guide did perform this badly.. I know i did everything good.. i have 1 question, the receiver antenna is a Copper Tube single wire antenna. do you have an explanation why normal helical did perform better then dual helical (as your design) ??

[@TheWandervogel]

Could you kindly provide built instructions for your antenna that reaches 1700m of range? How much did you feed them? What was the frequency? I guess 2.4Ghz right?

[@irepairapples]

Could you build a 2.4ghz double helical

[@jamesadieze9537]

Circular Wireless 5.8 Helical FPV Antenna can you make one of this antenna?

[@aeroforced2694]

Hi Andrew, thanks for making this video. Can you please explain why you are using 18mm diameter and a spacing of 17mm? Shouldn't the diameter be lambda/pi (16mm) and spacing be lambda/4 (13mm)? Or are there other rules of thumb for a double helical? Greetz, Dirk

[@kutay_ozkeskin]

i am looking for the answer too..

[@welding-solution-automation]

This antenna can be use for satellite communication??

[@jacintafernandesferreira1515]

Friend, I need the antenna size. I can not understand spoken English well, thank you. José Carlos Ferreira bueno

[@randisetiawan9789]

can i use this type antenna for 5ghz wifi, in my country we use channel 161

[@rcplanesjohnreap2777]

can we use different materials.. copper wire? for the coils and what difference does it make to the construction.?

[@andrewmcneil]

John Reap Hi John yes you could use copper but as it is softer you would be better if you could find something to house it in. Copper is a better conductor but in the real world you would not notice any difference in performance really you would need to hook it up to a analyser as the difference is small. Using steal is a compromise with form and function.

[@mattyfreebles]

can we build a triple or quadruple?

[@gunslinger966]

Can these be used as transmitting antenna?

[@gusvec]

Andrew, Is this antenna available some where?

[@aircolumbia4571]

You can install the helical antenna and spironet while a extencion or Adapter RP SMA Male to 2 SMA Female Jack Triple in this RX?

[@leandrorodrigo2076]

STOREONLINE

[@jameslamb4573]

Greetings Andrew, Just wondering about the reflector, is 34mm a critical measurement or was it just that you had that size holesaw handy? Is there any advantage in increasing the diameter to say 38mm? Cheers

[@andrewmcneil]

+James Lamb Hi James theoretically the diameter of the reflector can be increased to 1 wavelength anything above that has no real benefit. Having a larger reflector will give a small increase in range so 38 mm will be fine.

[@jameslamb4573]

Thanks Andrew.

[@cup_and_cone]

+andrew mcneil Why is your baseplate so small? I thought they were supposed to be one wavelength (which at 5.8, which goes up to 5.9, would be ~52mm). Most of the professional base plates I've seen support the 52mm claim.

[@droneswithjohnny7992]

thechosendude so is that true... A 52 millimeter would make one wavelength... So if I make a 2.4 double helical I would probably need close to a base plate twice the size of 52 millimeters. so to be clear one wavelength is approximately 52 meter wide circle.??

[@akosibatman8833]

theirs any computation?

[@nevinsawh3805]

Andrew, can you please make another VERY detailed video tutorial on how to put the sp in the original gameboy, without tactile switches? I will pay for a better video tutorial in depth

[@djcip18]

andrew you have forum or facebook page...?

[@kreynolds1123]

IT might might be much easier, when working by your self, to wrap the coil a little tighter (or shorter) first, and then pull the coil out to the desired pattern rather than pulling on the end afterwards. Said another way, stretching a coil is easier than tightening it.

[@08halit]

no testing after build,,would be much usefull to see also if it is better or worse.

[@ugpfpv361]

Hi Andrew, I was wondering is each coil the same as if you were making a single helical as far as spacing goes, so if you measured the winding of coil 1 to coil 2 would it be around 6mm? or is the spacing between the two coils still around the 12mm from coil 1 and the next wind coil 2. So basically asking is this still the same overall length as a regular 3 turn helical or is it the length of a 6 turn? Thanks!

[@fatmeto]

Can use 5ghz wifi for this?

[@ManuelPinner]

One Antenna is 150 Ohms, Two Antennas is 75 Ohms because the Two Antennas together divides the impedance in half,

[@prannce1]

Hi Andrew Thinking of building it with 2.08mm solid Copper wire. Will this alter or obviate the need for Impedance-matching shims ?

[@andrewmcneil]

+A Mancastrian No you still need the shims, as a rule of thumb thicker wire increases the broadband properties and thinner wire decreases.

[@prannce1]

+andrew mcneil Sorry for the noobie questions, but just making SURE your Template link (this page) is for RHP antennas as it mentions 'LHP'. If nor do you just do a mirror image? Cheers

[@andrewmcneil]

+A Mancastrian So it is right hand your the first person to notice yes if you mirror image it will be fine

[@arnaldoventura2]

hi is very good , can you make a video how to make it for ( 4G multiband MIMO ) sorry for my bad english ( 700 MHZ TO 2700 MHZ I guess you have the right idea,, thanks.

[@mdasik5514]

antena ware name please

[@leifgb]

Is this antenna LEFT HAND circular polarized?

[@SladkaPritomnost]

+leifgb it should be LHCP

[@ChiragChaudhari]

Hi Andrew, absolutely love your build videos. Thank you so much for all them. I love to build different DIY projects, but my problem is until I understand all the concepts of what and why I don't dive into building one. So I have a little request. If you can please explain the calculations that goes along the build like the thickness of wire used, diameter, spacing and especially the impedance matching part. I have spent several hours trying to understand the dimensions of the build, but these two things, impedenc shim dimensions and the dbi is just out of my head. I also read some explanations by ibcrazy from RCGroups, but no luck. So if you can make a video on explaining some of those, that would be great. Thanks.

[@andrewmcneil]

I did say sometime ago that I would do some basic fundamental videos but last year turned out to be a busy year for me with life and work but I am still hoping to find the time as a few people have asked the same question so hopefully this year I will find the time.

[@ChiragChaudhari]

andrew mcneil Cool. Thanks Andrew.

[@andrewmcneil]

Chirag Chaudhari I am planing on doing some fundamental videos just 5 minutes long. The big problem though is how to make all the mathematics interesting!

[@ChiragChaudhari]

andrew mcneil Well its sure hard to make that math interesting. But I am sure the people who actually gonna see those kind of videos care more about the logic behind the math than how interesting it is. Those videos will to educate than entertain, so dont worry about that. If I may suggest just make 1-2 video a week. Pure math and electromagnetics, one concept at a time. And then whatever questions we people have, instead of answering them on comments, just make another video of Q&A. Seems like lot of work, but you can skip video editing and stuff and straight to point. LIke we are sitting in the class and you are professor !!!

[@nonames9310]

Andrew, I'm a new fan of your channel. I am new in this antenna thing, been obsessively watching and absorbing informations from your channel the last few days. I have a question. Will it be possible to combine this double helical with parabolic reflector, such as this: www.tp-link.com/en/products/details/TL-ANT5830B.html ? will it give any benefits in gain at all? I was thinking, if more turn gives you gain and less width, wouldnt combining a 14 turn double helix with a parabolic dish be ideal?

[@renatobfa]

If you take losses out of the equation (for example, from poorly executed antenna projects), if you have more gain, it must be from narrowing the beam angle. There's no magic in antenna projects. You can very much rise your gain by doing a double helical, but you won't get the same exact beam angle as a simple helix. It would be, in an ideal situation, exactly the same as the drop in the beam angle.

[@mikehauk6079]

So..... Confused / question ..... Why not feed the ENTIRE wire through the tube, coiling both sides at the same time, or one after the other, clipping into two & down to desired length....this would have easily saved time and stress...?

[@luckyluke97223]

Can you sell your antennas by ebay?...

[@BoRerunn]

What are these antenna for

[@wattage2007]

5.8GHz video connection from RC aircraft.

[@11skyparte11]

How did you get these gain values? 3 turn = 9.5dbi 3 turn double = 11dbi 6 turn = 12.5 6 turn double = 13.8dbi 9 turn = 14.3 9 turn double = 15.5dbi

[@andrewmcneil]

you can easy calculate gain with simple maths antenna design has to obey the laws of physics like most things but the materials you use to construct do also play their part. .

[@11skyparte11]

andrew mcneil These measures are offset against other helical antennas of 5.8 GHz (other videos and calculators on the Internet). For a frequency as high as 5.8GHz, every millimeter counts. Done any testing with these antennas, type range test?

[@andrewmcneil]

Rui Garcia All my antennas are tested on a Agilent HP 8720D network analyser. I have also sent antennas out to some of my subscriber who have asked if they can test them and feedback to my channel as I am not into the hobby but I am currently putting together my first quadcopter. There are online calculators but they only good as a starting point for a prototype because google helical calculator and input your requirements into a few different ones they all give slightly different measurements.

[@11skyparte11]

andrew mcneil I will try to build a 3 double helical turn and tes it. My DIY antennas for 5.8GHz with best performance so far are fiveleaf (similar to lotus antennas). Good luck with the construction of Quadcopter, I am available to help with any questions that is in my power.

[@Clete88]

The problem seems to be with making homemade gigahertz antennas is the ability to test them. You can do range tests, but the equipment to actually test the designs on the bench are forbidding for the hobbyist. You can't really measure the SWR, the radiation resistance or the resonance of such high frequency antenna unless you're rich with a laboratory. If you can't test your designs with lab equipment, you should test them in the field, such as with range experiments.

[@ManuelPinner]

On the Metal Pipe to Make Your Loop is Much Better to Cut a Slot on the Top to Slide the Finnish Loop of the Pipe,

[@kose2ik]

double helical (one "-" radiation, another "+" radiation) + (dipole vs. spiral) antenna (2.4GHz) ? (+ tin-pipe or tincan + wo-/reflecor ?) (and yes, I'm noob) But I know that sometimes scientific discoveries are made by wise scientists with mistakes, and sometimes fools are accidentally (I dont have this expensive measuring instruments to play/measure). Every antenna cable need to make like AC voltage (impulse signal)? u this antenna if is "+" in antenna (connector) then how mach % is "-" in reflector (connector)?

[@kose2ik]

ok I was get better explained (but not animated) (page 9,11-12,...) www.slideshare.net/chinkitkit/topic-6-em-waves after this old (not best) basic kzbin.info/www/bejne/r6SxnJ17o9SFqbc & kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y3eafIyChJl1ock & kzbin.info/www/bejne/kJK7nmmtltpgoMU

[@DownhillAllTheWay]

Your antennae look very nice, but an antenna is a functional object, not an art piece. Do you have any test results? Even if you don't test them scientifically, you might say what success you have had with them, and compare and contrast between those you have made.

[@ThinkFreely2012]

Pullsee those are not test results. those are gains the antennas should theoretically possess. his antennas look very nice, but he never tests them to prove they work.

[@droneswithjohnny7992]

Mike Collins I'm basically running into the same issue because I've made these antennas and I feel like they could be decent but I've only made helical antennas to his design so maybe I'll try a single helical from another design and post test results.

[@wayneuk]

hi andrew i can 3d print you some templates for your helical send me a pm if your intrested

[@wayneuk]

+wayneuk www.thingiverse.com/thing:367500 www.thingiverse.com/thing:489373 www.thingiverse.com/thing:671365

[@LilBigfootOverlanding]

Hi wayneuk, could you 3D print this for me? It would save me a ton of time and that frame looks like it would be allot stronger😃👍 Also do you know if they have one for a 2.4ghz ateanna? I need x2 2.4’s and x1 5.8 to modify my DJI Phantom 3 Standard. Thx for your help😊