Antenna Talk Prime Time

Antenna talk. building a little antenna but I have some questions for y'all. Lets talk

[@smithderf]

So Gammas not only step up the impedance and cancel the reactance, but in the process they do one other thing that a direct coax feed can't. Gammas decouple the RF better by having the function of a unbalanced to balanced balun. It does this by directly putting the coax shield at the ground potential of the boom. If the coax shield is not at ground potential it can create unwanted antenna currents on the coax. RF is not smart enough to figure out the difference between a coax shied conductor, or an element conductor. Putting the shield at ground potential minimizes that confusion, and is the better way to decouple the coax.

[@masterchief4839]

I wanted to come back and comment on something Prime touched on but that most people don't understand about antennas. Antennas can be designed many different ways to accomplish many different design parameters. Example, you can design it for maximum forward gain, or bandwidth, or rejection (off the back or sides), or pattern (killing field), etc. You can have a "long boom" 5 or a "short boom" 5 and both will have their advantages and disadvantages. Neither is right or wrong...just different. You decide what's important to you and you physically build your beam to meet your design parameters. A completely separate subject is how you FEED that antenna. There are many ways to feed an antenna and they have very little to do with the design parameters above. In other words, your matching network isn't going to change your antenna parameters (much). You can feed it with ladder line or coax or waveguide. You then need to match your feedline to the feedpoint of the antenna using some sort of matching network. If you tap the antenna at the 200 ohm point and are running coax, you need to transform your 50 ohm coax to a 200 ohm antenna by using a 4:1 balun (50 x 4 = 200). You can use a gamma (I hate gammas), a T-match, a hairpin, a split feed, a loop, etc. The physical design and the original parameters above are not changed (much) with the different feedpoints. All these feedpoints have their advantages and disadvantages and neither is right or wrong...just different (except for a gamma; I hate those). My favorite feedpoint is the direct (split) feed or loop driven (Prime calls these "hot"). These can be designed to give you 50 ohms and makes it real nice to match your feedline (coax) to your feedpoint (antenna driven element) without the need for a lossy matching network. My least favorite is the gamma because it does skew the signal and doesn't make a physical contact to your radiating element. Its lossy and can overheat and arc (which is why they make these HUGE 30K gammas that are only good for guys running 30K. If you're running 10K, get a 10K gamma). So, if you want a short boom 5 with max gain, design it that way and then decide how you want to feed and match it. If you want a short boom 5 that will cover 26.915 to 27.555, design it that way and then decide how you want to feed and match it. Just remember, you can't have it all. If you want GAIN, you will give up bandwidth. If you want bandwidth, you will give up gain. You can recover some gain by adding another element. Here is the beauty...YOU GET TO DECIDE and can build it the way you want it...just like Prime does. Clearly Prime gets it! He has been well taught...knows what he wants...and knows how to make it happen. Or you can pick up the JC Penny catalog and order one. You will get that antenna designer's beam that he built to satisfy lots of people. One of HyGain's design parameters was that the antenna be balanced on the tower as close to center in the boom as possible. No shit! Did it work, sure did. Did someone take that beam, re-space the elements and make it better? He sure did! There is no magic number or holy grail to antennas; there are just differences. What's good for you may not be good for the next guy. Quad vs Yagi. V-Beam vs Gizmothchy. The list goes on. Decide what you want and go for it! Nice job on the video Prime!

[@skullcracka1708]

Wow man!!! thats great intel for all. Well said and every word of it was true. Based on your comment I am going to do a quick follow up video. Very Cool

[@mackenziesibley7025]

Could listen to you talk all day! Thank you for sharing your knowledge us younger guys definitely appreciate it!

[@bparker86]

Awww man that's what's up. Another prime video. Shut it down.... Drop everything. Pay attention. When this brotha starts talking its time to shut up n listen. I haven't even watched yet. Nah Ima wait till I get back to the crib and put it on the big screen. What up prime!! You the man big brother much respect from Maine!

[@randyfox4611]

Line level audio....line level audio.......we want line level audio! Thanks Prime for the antenna info. I for one hope to see more on that subject. But now please let us pick your brain about that audio man. I cant wait. Drag N' Fly down in tennessee said that and i'm back quiet.

[@masterchief4839]

Prime gets it. Antenna software is a starting point; real optimization comes from building and testing in the real world. This is where knowledge is gained...not at the end of a computer screen and printer tray. Keep doing what you do and stop in to say hi the next time you visit Jacket in the great shaky...we close.

[@Duckhunterbyu]

Agreed 100% a cuter will only get u so far I'm glad u said this been saying it for years real world testing is the best way!

[@butterbean4195]

the flat U-bolts are a great idea! and the fact they stay put on the boom is awesome. good stuff prime.

[@skullcracka1708]

Thank you brotha! Necessity breeds creativity I guess lol

[@timblackdiamond2848]

Those antennas are like women, you get the right dimensions they perform better. So prime here is some dimensions for you all for a three element flat side; 36-24-36...oh! On a 5"2 boom lol - Black Diamond from Australia. Keep an ear out for us guys and keep the hobby alive. Cheers from another CB brother.

[@davidshapiro5616]

Prime, Nice video. I'm late to the party but here's my 2c on Impedance Matching: Direct 50-Ohm Feed antennas are designed with a natural input impedance close to 50 ohms. They don't require additional matching networks to achieve a good impedance match to the transmission line, such as coaxial cable, which also typically has a 50-ohm characteristic impedance. Gamma Matching Network antennas are typically created to match an antenna's inherent impedance (which may not be close to 50 ohms) to a 50-ohm transmission line. The gamma match consists of a combination of capacitive and inductive elements to achieve this impedance transformation. Design Flexibility: Direct 50-Ohm Feed antennas are designed from the outset to have a 50-ohm impedance, which simplifies the design process for matching with standard coaxial cables. They are often more straightforward to construct and tune. Antennas designed for gamma matching networks can be more versatile because they allow for impedance matching to various transmission line impedances. This flexibility can be useful when dealing with antennas that naturally have impedances far from 50 ohms. Matching Efficiency: Direct 50-Ohm Feed Antennas: When using a direct 50-ohm feed, the matching is inherently efficient because there are no additional components involved. This means minimal loss in power transfer. Gamma Matching Network: Although gamma matching networks can effectively match the antenna impedance to 50 ohms, they can introduce some additional loss due to the reactive components involved (capacitors and inductors). The efficiency of the matching network depends on its design and the quality of the components used. Direct feed wins out almost every time across all factors, however, you cannot simply retrofit one to the other without losing some efficiency. When modelling a direct feed antenna, you'll have different measurements for element spacing etc.

[@skullcracka1708]

Hey Dave thanks for chiming in! Your point is well taken but, a yagi designed for maximum gain will almost always be pretty long and it will undoubtedly have a very low impedance at the feed point. I don't use hairpins or Vacuum caps on really long antennas. My driven element steps up the impedance .

[@HaconSylvester]

Excellent setup, keep up the good work 👍, Soldier Boy 101 on KZbin, good Dxing 73s.

[@michaelhamilton3778]

😶 ……. “I LIKE IT!” ……. no ……. I LOVE IT! ….. I never thought about something like that and I’ve been building antennas, (J-Pole’s to small stacked beams) But that tape measure trick. Old-Son! Thats pretty slick Sr! 🤣I’m an idiot 🤭🤫🤣🤣

[@fitzwater504]

Beautiful set-up looks amazing!!

[@HitchHiker4Freedom]

Those saddles are brilliant.

[@DJMIXXTHAT]

Not really it’s just what you like if the swr’s are the same on both then not difference. Big up to u! Very nice work!

[@DJMIXXTHAT]

Line level is a great thing. As a DJ i understand. Please do. Yes as a Artist u must understand line audio. Love rack gear all day wins. I still DJ every weekend and even on powered speakers i run my rack to control them things! Makes so much difference then without. I’m 57 so you know. DJing at 15 and cd radio at 8 years old.

[@MudDuckSharky]

Thanks for the shout prime! Love the antenna... got my notepad ready more please! Lol

[@51nw]

Do a video on high power mobile setup tips sometime. Its seems to be a big secret that the big boys dont like to share, makes it hard for us up and coming big strappers to do it right the first time

[@Eric-zb6nv]

I've gotten away from cb years ago. I loved antenna building. Built my own Shooting Star. Nothing special but as a young dude and an old dude who had a cb shop in his basement watching over me, teaching me, was a blast of a lifetime. Old tube radio guru he was. Still have my Rippee tuned Mk 4A Browning. Haven.t fired it up in many years. Not sure where to send it for a cap job and to be gone over to working order. Peace and love.

[@xcalibur8320]

Yes Prime on the line level video. thanks

[@flyincoyote3810]

That tape measure trick is genius..wish I knew that when I put my maco together

[@ChrisDitchDigger]

Really need that line level audio tutorial. Trying to get my Apache Labs mkii audio front end figured out. Love that elegant beam set up!

[@thunderbuilt77]

Yea man. My two favorite subjects, audio and antennas.

[@bparker86]

MudDuckSharky is his name and hes awesome. not only is he having fun...but hes sharing what he learns with the community. hes awesome fr. i learned alot from him.

[@CrawldaBeast]

I worked with Signal Engineering back when they were still a thing. By nature, I'm a quad fan, but I'll always give credit where it's due. I like what you're doing here and it didn't take much for me to see the advantages of your clamps. Keep up the good work! Oh, one of my favorite things was to contact Jo Gunn ask them to explain how their antennas have "Audio gain" just to listen to their word salad explanation.

[@skullcracka1708]

I had a Signal Engineering Lightning 6 back in the day

[@donavanrekstis6863]

Yes please! Would love to see the line level audio video. Any info you are willing to share I will gladly try to absorb. Thanks Prime!

[@donavanrekstis6863]

Also want to see the rest of the build series videos😁

[@justdoingit.43]

I also love the way your clamps and plates are set up and would love to be able to get a set of four.

[@skullcracka1708]

Not a problem at all but, the boom strap clamps are only for 3inch boom at this time and the element hardware is only for 1" elements

[@old_bastard2941]

Keep those vid's coming Prime. It's all interesting. :)

[@OregonDX]

We still wanna hear some history Prime. How you got into radio, what you used, where it all started! 73 Sir. Glad you are doing well!

[@skullcracka1708]

Will do!

[@masterchief4839]

He covered a lot of this on his rack gear audio vid.

[@ku4uv]

@@skullcracka1708 Love ya Prime! Many hours spent back in 1992 bumpin' to the Mack Daddy album when I was a senior in high school driving around.

[@pierrelataillade7564]

Well Prime....well done.. Please keep in mind that we the public are short on knowledge, as it relates to this subject. Myself included.....but I'm all ears when your giving free knowledge. Hopefully I can sort it out...thanks. Line level me.

[@blueflame0003]

Prime...love your video...love to learn and laugh...i like to keep it mobile myself..keep up the good work thks wavy,73's

[@westernelectricradio1338]

Those muffler straps (HA) are the bomb diggity - brilliant design - have a few laying around you can spare? Looking forward to the audio vid as well of course - Peace Prime -

[@SDS-1]

Those are awesome clamps! Good surface area on the mast too for less clamp force needed❤

[@robertbader2420]

Great video nice clamps drop the line level video love to have one of your 6 element antennas

[@bizman45390]

Hurry up with the line level audio Prime!!

[@thesquirrelchroniclesakare7808]

Hell yeah... Drop that video. I am a sponge when it comes to radio knowledge. Btw... I built a direct feed 3 element out of old crutches... Yes crutches and it out performed any factory beam I have ever ran . Thanks for the knowledge brother ! Worldwide 425 on the east side standing by

[@skullcracka1708]

Crutches? You are the man!!!!

[@thesquirrelchroniclesakare7808]

@@skullcracka1708 Yes sir. My buddies thought I was crazy till I started running it. Then they all wanted to see it lol

[@skullcracka1708]

@@thesquirrelchroniclesakare7808 Now I can tell people my home boy built a beam out of crutches!! LOL Love it

[@Galaxy2517]

Everytime i watch one of your vids...I keep uttering the words... "I am not worthy"....lol

[@leolbenwayjr6561]

I've always built my beams direct feed and they work fantastic... love your vids man . Undertaker 613 up here in vermont in the graveyard... waving on...

[@skullcracka1708]

Right on man! The beam I'm running right now is direct feed also

[@MET90LX]

I don’t have the room (or the money) for a skullcracka beam. Nor do I want an optimized as I like to move around. But I love the information we get from these videos. Please make more!

[@flyincoyote3810]

Midas touch haha

[@davey4636]

Let’s have that line level audio vid.

[@RL-521]

Great video, need more from you Prime; would love to discuss how to get started with amp building with you! 73's

[@621ELECTRONICS]

My first beam was a Maco M105, never got it up though, only setup on the ground on an old road sign tripod to test / tune it lol. Had a 40ft tower, but never set it up as the yard was kind of small and wasn’t sure how to not have it hang over the neighbors and around trees / power lines. Sold the tower after it sat in my yard for years (still have the old CDE rotors I got with it and at a hamfest), kept the beam though as I got it for $50 and I’ll never find that bargain again. I used a Maco V5000 as my first "real" CB antenna back around 2000. Bought it new from a local that would order a bunch of them at a discount then sell them locally, think I paid him $90 for it new in the box back then, which was a little cheaper than ordering one at the time (I was in my early teens and was lucky to even get the money for that), prices on these look crazy these days. Still have the 5/8 too, it’s back in it’s original box I oddly kept, and had to take it down a few years ago to move. Can’t have a base setup where I live now. Nice to see Prime doing some videos on this stuff, with all the years of hands on experience he has with it. I enjoy sitting back watching this stuff since I can't really play with radio gear anymore.

[@ericdee6802]

My Father was a radar engineer for Lockheed Aircraft also was an Amature extra, He had a yagi but his favorite was the Quad design when it came to gain.

[@arconeagain]

Square boom with Stauff clamps. No levelling required, less hardware, no U bolts or exhaust clamps. Elements are insulated from boom. Split driven element is better than plumbers delight, grounded elements will always be a comprise. No need to make and have to adjust a gamma, all you need is a decent coaxial ferrite choke or 1:1 balun. Personally, I run an LFA. LFAs kill these old school antennas.

[@skullcracka1708]

I don't waste time on old ferrite chokes either. My driven element does all of the work. I don't have a gamma or hairpins on my antenna. let me know when you put one of your antennas in the Northwest!! Find an operator up here and Ill buy it for him or her. I love this hobby

[@arconeagain]

@@skullcracka1708 you should address the unbalanced to balanced feed. As I said, I have no matching network, and the driven on my antenna is a wavelength. The choke is far from old, and any losses are negligible. What I have is a clean pattern. Anyway, who cares, I've transmitted to myself on a 2 element yagi, one lap.

[@funnyman1972]

PRIME!!! I have thought of this invention for years. Imagine a great big garage you can put your biggest antenna in and suspend an antenna and tune it with led lights hanging all over the garage that light up from RF when you test them. You could visually see your tune and tune hot spots on the wall where your pointed. If you ever design this you could prove your beams out perform all other beams and they would sell like crazy. Maybe I'm crazy 🤪 but I like to see performance. I'm a good friend of 405 in Indiana I go by Storm Chaser have a good day.

[@TheRiddleNL]

Sounds like Santas place :D ;-p

[@skullcracka1708]

Damn Man you are serious

[@user-su5sq5ib3i]

Yeah man lets see that line level audio video. Thanks!

[@curtiswest4272]

It is genius prime. Really is. We don't live in that world where help just ain't laying around.

[@chrisswartzwelder8494]

Very nice work. I enjoyed the video.

[@MichaelJohnson-gd1ms]

Great video prime,very informative.We’ll always have critics and haters. Team Jimmy-CEO

[@yeasue1]

Excellent video, waiting on next one.

[@pnwangling6304]

I appreciate all the information you share sir, im just getting started into cb, but im studying information from everyone I talk to

[@kennethschultz6465]

Just watch out Ther is a Lot of walkitalki BS Like a 100watt HAM ANTENNA Sold as a 10.000watt ANTENNA Pure BS!!

[@pnwangling6304]

@@kennethschultz6465 thanks for the info

[@spuriousemissions]

Prime, I think you were thinking of MudDuckSharky? (the guy having fun with LDMOS)

[@skullcracka1708]

Yesssss!!!!! That’s him. Sharp guy

[@bparker86]

If people take the time to watch his videos. They will be glad they did. I learned valuable information about nano vnas and its actually the reason i understand things a lot more in depth then I used to. Like how to use the vna to fine tune the actual trnasistor circuit itself, figuring out what value capacitors to use. His video was literally what helped me fill in the gaps in my Amp circuits. I'm very greatful for what he's shared, he's a teacher of mine and doesn't even know it

[@445videogates4]

Thats cool,great ideas for the do it yourself guy,Thanks Prime.Big Fan,yuge!lol

[@danielpenaofficial4186]

Man I wanna watch that line level audio! Yeppp!!!

[@Worldwide75]

Good information Prime! Thanks for the knowledge

[@dj_saint]

Definitely working smarter not harder!!

[@gregorylynch3540]

I think those comments were made on a MMM post. I like those a hell of a lot better than muffler clamps. Luv the videos keep them coming

[@debohannan4315]

I built a bunch of 2 and 6 meter quad antennas one thing I noticed was the skew of the signal to the right or left so sleep on it for a week then decided to try an experiment and switch the center conductor from one side to the other and noticed the signal was skewed the other way then built a coaxial sleeve choke then it worked the signal was dead on so it was common mode current on the coax which distorted signal . Guys if you want to hear weak signals And have common mode currents on the outside of your coax you will be receiving vertical signals with your horizontal this will raise the noise floor

[@robinwillis2860]

Mr Brilliant! I know it's a pain in the btt doing it by yourself. Good idea.

[@NoHandleNameScrewTube]

I like your sweet design. I have a maco also and the U-bolts suck and the crushing the boom tube or denting is no joke.

[@m0ogy]

Thanks for the video , greetings from the UK

[@JamesJohnson-ny3xz]

AWESOME IMAGINATION, even if you didn't meen to do it. LOVE.

[@ku4uv]

Much love for you Prime!

[@dordorr9509]

I ENJOYED THE VIDEO. I JUST GOT BACK INTO CB 2 YEARS AGO . I USED TO LIVE IN DETROIT NOW LAS VEGAS . BACK IN THE 80S AND 90S I WAS REALLY IN TO IT I STARTED WITH PDLS TO MOONRAKERS 4 TO 6 ELEMENTFLATS TO 10 ELEMENT FLATS I BUILT ALL THE ANTENNAS EXCEPT THE PDLS, AFTER LISTENING TO YOUR VIDEO I HAVE THE KNOWLEDGE TO BUILD A GREAT FLAT BEAM. I AM LOOKING TO PUT UP EITHER 6 ELEMENT OR 8 ELEMENT FLATS. MY CONCERN IS RECEIVING . I WOULD LIKE TO GET AS MUCH INFO YOU CAN OFFER TO BUILD FLAT BEAM TO WORK DIRECTLY ON CHN 6. THANK YOU BUG AKA 654 LAS VEGAS , NEVADA.

[@baltimore_amp_repair]

Nice hardware Prime! I like it.

[@chrisyanez2299]

prime .. the other advantage to flat strap is surface contact around the boom . in so cal the west wind can move the elements ,hence why i went square tubing . i use the square boom material just to simplify the build process but i respect the extra thinking that went into the straps for round tubing . keep it up man .. disco duck {relocated to iowa} /....

[@SirMixAlotChannel]

Excellent point on those Cali winds brotha

[@bebeandjohnnotsonomadiclif5287]

Thank you Prim.....You are the BOSS.

[@johnnyd4049]

awesome antenna & love the content

[@rhoemberg1969]

I heard the big Boats 🚢 show commercial and I cannot lie !

[@Jeffhoneck]

Can't wait to get your take on the audio subject.

[@mrradioman445]

Nice Prime,learn something everyday!73,s

[@xXxWoNdEreR7XxX]

Can't wait for the line level video'... an nice trick with the tape measure ✔You're friend down South with the wave ✌(#7@bunkerbuiltradios)

[@stephenpadley6684]

Your design for clamps first class.

[@cliffweaver123]

THE LEGEND LIVES!!!! WHERE IS THE LINK TO PURCHASE A BEAM?

[@andrewt9590]

THERE IS NOTHING LIKE BUILDING ANTENNAS

[@663rainmaker]

I have a anT 🐜 TeN nA HomiE BreW Moon 🌙 sHine X X X

[@663rainmaker]

This is gonna be a beautiful Beam PrimE MinistA

[@jimmycake7143]

nice clutter free property for a change. clean.

[@DesertOasis2023]

Bump it Down with that line level vid! No excuses now...

[@jakemichael8586]

Prime you are the man!

[@321CatboxWA]

Thank you for the tape measure tip .

[@3madeamps]

put some new videos up

[@misterman9796]

Let's hear/see that line level audio video. Put them D-104 boys in the corner.

[@TexasPrisonStories]

Those straps are the truth...when the u bolt fell I just had to laugh cuz it has happened to all of us man lol

[@skullcracka1708]

Man I hated that. It always happened right after you got the measurement perfect. LOL

[@TexasPrisonStories]

@@skullcracka1708 I need one of these for 27.385. a five would be perfect.

[@tracystolp5357]

Make some more videos they are good .they are fun to watch .and smart

[@davey4636]

The super bowl boss that talks on 22 must be my neighbor about 80 miles away here in Virginia 😉

[@UDX-21]

Always the very best.

[@TexasPrisonStories]

I used to talk to Harry in Indonesia in the 90s on sideband and he had a damn giant 10 element with a hairpin match. He was the first guy on 11 I knew using it.

[@skullcracka1708]

Harry in Indonesia..... isn't that the guy that build the LDMOS amps?

[@TexasPrisonStories]

@@skullcracka1708 man I'm not sure I haven't talked to him since we lost sunspots but I wouldn't doubt it. Them indonesian dudes on forty are running some big watts some how

[@owillis2769]

let see the line level audio like the info you put up

[@bradleyhewell784]

Where's mine? Just send it to D-Rail, I'll pick it up when it gets there 😁

[@MrBobbyBX]

Line-level video please and thanx!

[@peterfong2241]

Honestly as a cber who make my own antenna, you go too much stuff interfering with the elements on the boom, watching from Jamaica west Indies !!

[@markreed2643]

i am a total newbe down under Australia...... this build is of the charts..... for me beyond brillyant ......im trying to build a yagi and have to drill holes NO WAY IM GUNA skullcrack it ....... with totaly adjustable clamps...... this guy tripped my mind... i will be able to build my prototype and total adjust it to get the best performance from it brillyant ...SKLCRKA do you have any vids on driven diapoles or baluns ??? thanks ...M

[@arconeagain]

Go easy on the dots Chopper. I'm starting to think your antenna will look like Swiss cheese... or that Turk's head.

[@minibikemadman]

Where can I get some of those straps and hardware prime? I have a maco I want to change the element to boom mounting.

[@elwyncarrol3883]

Mud duck sharkie

[@409novaman]

That’s impressive!!!

[@vernondeal4219]

send the next video!! also have you done any testing with your LDMOS amps in the ham band!! will like to see some 10-80M on a scullcracka LDMOS from the biggest HF station in the Bahamas!!

[@skullcracka1708]

When you design them for broad band operation you will definitely need a low pass filter though

[@wvwildlifecam9159]

thats a cool improvement on antenna hardware

[@joshp2424]

One love prime keep em comin

[@peteez4396]

Aka Mr Armed and Dangerous / Mr San Diego. Hey P salute!

[@kennethschultz6465]

Try this !! Mesiur a 102 whip bandwith! Then just add a YEASU R S M 10 SPRING !!! THEN 10 11 12M WITH 1.5 SWR On flanks!! 10/12M 11m 1:1 whole band Denmark 🇩🇰 the land of RHODE and SWARTS

[@Mrjokerman]

You're awesome I want to talk to you someday Jason

[@royconly631]

Bring on the line level video, please!

[@skullcracka1708]

It’s comin brotha

[@heribertosoto6567]

Make it happen Prime, don't wait on them!

[@kennethschultz6465]

Hey BRO ... If you use a HB9CV As a DRIVER you start with 6DBd 1 element (3)= 9DBd + 2 element (5) = 12DBd And IT WORKS Cophase 2 =15DBd 15DBd =31.6227 X Watt 12DBd=15.8489 X W