HAM RADIO: 2M/70cm Skylab Build. Home-Brew 2M antenna 143 - 148 MHz

Not so long ago I built my version of The Home-Brew SKYLAB Starduster for 26 - 30MHz, Super simple to build with just 10 metres of wire and a length of coax. anyway that got me thinking can I do the same for the 2M and 70cm bands
Enjoy
I do hope you enjoy it and subscribe for more..
list of bits:
5 x 500mm lengths of 6mm tube (aluminium)
1 x SO239 Case Mount version.
10 cm length of RG213
4 x M4 nuts and bolts
1 x 500mm length of 15mm UPVC pipe.
SWR Meter, solder iron, solder and glue gun.
oh and a bit of luck.
Many thanks
Mike - M0MSN
To get notified of the next upload .click that bell and subscribe..

[@MakeDoAndMend1]

Hi Mike. Just for info I have used Brazing Rods. They come in metre lengths and can be soldered etc. Thinner but very cheap compared to aluminium. Also used car brake pipe to make some telescopic for tuning. Which Can be soldered after adjustments. Cheers from old George

[@stufoster5862]

Thanks for the interesting video Mike. Its brilliant to see how the build develops in real time.

[@RC-Heli835]

Hey Mike if your crimped on radiator doesnt hold up you might try filling the inner wire with solder for a tight fit. Then drill a hole in the tubing. Then slide a collar over the tubing with a set screw in it that will go through the drilled hole and make strong contact with the inner wire.🤔

[@Martin-kq9qt]

Very nice Mike!

[@markg6jvy135]

Nice project as always 👍👏👏

[@MW6PNW]

Cheers Mike. After our move ive mislaid my tri bander and wanted something to get on 2 mtrs with. This is perfect for now. I did notice this wasnt made in the kitchen either this time lol

[@nadiaberthault4653]

Hello, very nice building, thankx 4 sharing, have a nice day from FRANCE

[@mike-M0MSN]

Merci beaucoup.

[@philtuckerm0dpk212]

Great video mike. I know these are simple antennas but what a great project for a new ham. Well done.

[@mike-M0MSN]

Thanks Phil.

[@richm2835]

@@mike-M0MSN Followed your tutorial as a recent M7 licence holder but using a slightly smaller diameter tube than yours which I had available . It's working well across both bands and is mounted on a pole on the house . It's even weathering the gales we are having just now with fortitude , but it would be easy enough to repair or make another any way . I also followed your Twin feeder slim jim video with pleasing results for my hand held too Cheers! 👍

[@ianxfs]

Nice straightforward build 👍🏻 I’m sure those side-cutters were labelled “copper only” in a previous video, yet here you are nipping up aluminium 😱

[@timg5tm941]

Good job Mike 73

[@mike-M0MSN]

Cheers Tim

[@myballwilson]

I really enjoy your content that's fun and interesting to watch. I've often wondered if the tatoo was a military unit. I'm curious, yet I understand that may well be very personal. Your calm delivery is rare and I like learning about antennae from such a calm gentleman.

[@mike-M0MSN]

Military you are correct. And thanks

[@luisclaudiofaria8718]

Excelente..

[@andye2005]

Easy build for anyone. As some comments say the centre connection is a bit suspect. I would have threaded the tube and used a short length of brass threaded rod (or threaded some plain rod myself to connect to the tube. , Drill a hole in the botton with a small side hole, and then solder that to the centre pin of the N type - or if you must, a SO239 :-) The worst part.. You will now go on e-bay and purchase a small table top clamp on vice, and use that to squash tube ends. Never again hit your poor pliers with a hammer. I was waiting for either the jaws to snap off, or the paving slab to break! :-) Andy.

[@mike-M0MSN]

Lol, works pliers, my kit is still in it wrappings…..

[@michaelmilenkoclewes572]

Also a plastic pop bottle top with a hole drilled in center then the hot glue works great to cover the so239

[@mike-M0MSN]

good idea

[@allanmacuser]

Thanks for the video going to make one today ,,,, in saying that now its raining with me been a wheelchair user and if its wet outside the wife does like the tram Lins off the wheelchair in the house lol all the best Allan G6TMO

[@michaelfuchs1467]

Cute little antenna! A few years ago I built a J-pole for the 2 meter band out of 12 mm copper tubing with magnificent results. I then etched it in acid before camo-painting it to make it completely 'disappear' at its final location in a tree. Heavy as a freight train but virtually bullet proof! (we get some nasty weather here up on 70 degrees north sometimes). Have you ever made one of these so you can do a comparison with your ground plane antenna?

[@michaelbennett8393]

The radiator element caught my attention. Does that short length of copper coax make adequate contact with the aluminium tube ? I'm sure it must do but I might have soldered a copper nail or screw to the SO239 instead, for a more snug fit.

[@adelarsen9776]

Another Knipex fan. There is a wide chasm between a tradesman and a craftsman. Craftsmen buy once.

[@pu4mksmarkussalustianosalu783]

Muito boa antena amigo para a banda 2metros

[@michaelmilenkoclewes572]

The simple ones are always the best made this aerial over 30 years ago .

[@stater3]

Nice build and thank you for this. Have you tried this antenna for contacting the ISS? Just wondering, I know a yagi would be a better choice but on some passes I can see the ISS in the night sky passing by. I hear that some has made contacts with a 1/4 wave vertical. I thought about making a turnstile or eggbeater antenna.

[@g4vft]

14:49 the repeater is sending its callsign as GB3SG. Looks like GB3SK is in Canterbury.

[@PyroBrit]

GB3SG is the correct callsign for the Stroud repeater. It's a new one and proving quite popular round here. 73 - M0NYY

[@fredcatcreedy980]

If you built it for the 2m wavelength, then how's it going to resonate for the 70cm? As both wavelength are needed for international flying dustbin a.k.a skylab.

[@ldocull]

Mike, what keeps the copper from electro-chemically reacting with the aluminum, breaking down your connection to the driven element??

[@DonHavjuan]

Sacrificing goats to the electrolysis gods.

[@mike-M0MSN]

@@DonHavjuan two goats

[@user-py5km6np1s]

Did you seal the vertical mast tip? Otherwise you might get a place for water to intrude.

[@commontater652]

Looks like Alinco partnered with a Chinese radio manufacturer for that rig. "UP" arrow on the left is a dead giveaway. How do you like it?

[@mrtonicsvls3624]

On 430Mhz did you tested SWR ROS?

[@ukm6yik69]

Great job like always Mike. Fantastic build. Where did you source the Ali pipe from if. You don't mind me asking. Fran M6yik

[@mike-M0MSN]

B&Q. 👍

[@Viskas.]

Is there a specific reason you are using the RG213?

[@abdulrasoulalmansour4499]

Can I still use 8mm aluminum tube?

[@louiebinas9121]

Hi Sir Mike... Its a simple easy to follow tutorial in making a 2M antenna but what i'm interested most is your Alinco DJ-MD5.... Does it have a brother sir?😊😁

[@mike-M0MSN]

yep purchased from www.nevadaradio.co.uk/product/alinco-dj-md5/

[@jasemali4977]

Godd job 👍 question please is the aluminum tubes are conductive or not ? 73

[@paul.alarner6410]

looks like a 1/4 wave ground plain antenna to me,works crap compaired to a 5/8 wave antenna i expect?

[@anjarriyantoto8668]

Nice to sharing and i ask what is the db gain in the antenna thx and succes

[@mike-M0MSN]

No idea

[@Davidslabofficial]

can we add UHF elements to it? cut according to 15cm length. iam newbie so please don't mind this stupid question😅 or this question is how to make it work on UHF

[@mike-M0MSN]

It will already work on UHF 70cm band.. and it's not a stupid question. :)

[@Davidslabofficial]

@@mike-M0MSN Thank you for Answering

[@MrCapuletty]

Хорошая антенна. А какое усиление?

[@M0JHN]

Wonder if heating or filling the ends of the aluminium tube with solder where they join the connector will prevent the tube fracturing at the crimp. Keep us posted on the longevity their. Great work love the videos.

[@sergein9053]

Hi. How does this work for 70cm band when you only have one length of rods in approximately 19 inches? Aren’t the rods approximately 6 inches for 70 cm

[@peternilsson7582]

Hi, I have several of your films, from where do you get ideas, from a book or? Regards Peter

[@andreVE4BK]

Hey Mike… great video and build! btw… where did you get the 3m ‘glass pole? 73 Andre M0RAV

[@mike-M0MSN]

decorators pole

[@Superstar-nl5tl]

Does the tube size matter, does it affect which frequencies are picked up or can any old tube work

[@mike-M0MSN]

No not really

[@jochenkrebs9685]

And, what about the Imax 2000 Project ??? 73´s DH1KJ

[@mike-M0MSN]

One day…..

[@forextraderradioman]

Thank you for this video, (from my side molstly not about the antenna building but for the, again, excellent background music, Calm Escape by Turadic :) IMO an vertical dipole antenna has a (mostly needed) lower radiation pattern) vy73 from Hamburg/Germany, Dietmar, DL4HAO

[@SamSunga-je7xq]

Hi , can we use this skylab antena with 20 / 25 watts base station

[@mike-M0MSN]

Yes I fed mine with 50Watts with no problems

[@Markinpuff]

I bit of dielectric wouldn’t hurt.

[@mike-M0MSN]

Nah

[@holotape]

I'm new and currently studying. What type of cable are you using from the end of the RG213 on your antenna to your radio?

[@mike-M0MSN]

Hi, RG213 is the coax cable. :). cheers

[@holotape]

@@mike-M0MSN Your plans say 10cm of RG213. What about the longer run from the antenna to indoors?

[@mike-M0MSN]

I’m not sure we are watching the same video!! No mention of 10cm RG213. What is the time stamp and video name?

[@holotape]

@@mike-M0MSNIn the description of this video, you have a “list of bits”, where it states 10cm of RG213.

[@mike-M0MSN]

@@holotape got it thanks, I used the centre of the RG213 in the centre of the SO239 as a medium between the SO239 and the aluminium driven element.

[@steveroberts3512]

What was the device you used to cut the aluminium tube?

[@forextraderradioman]

that is a Pipecutter .. vy73 from Hamburg/Germany, Dietmar, DL4HAO

[@mike-M0MSN]

Pipe cutter,

[@pu4mksmarkussalustianosalu783]

Gosto muito antena j pole dual band vhf uhf

[@SaitamJ]

Hola, ¿Se podria usar un Baofeng uvr5?, Saludos cordiales LU7DZM

[@russell301]

Can't get on the 38 with that 😭!

[@mike-M0MSN]

You do make me laugh Russell,

[@russell301]

@@mike-M0MSN :0

[@seanwood8043]

Excellent build.how much DB gain increase did you get off that bad boy mike ? I saw it was resonate on UHF as well. This antenna could be easily recalculated for 465 MHz for use on GMRS 462 - 467 MHz frequency pairs . May give it a try sometime in future will run the math and draw it up before prototyping. Thanks ahead of time you are a wizard lol

[@TonyBlews]

i think you need a de-burring to the clean the insides of the pipe ends.

[@jptucsonaz8503]

Um, do you mean I.S.S. & not Skylab? Skylab hasn't been in space for a long time! Like 1979!

[@michaelfuchs1467]

You're saying that we can't use 2 m for communication with another dimension? 🤔 😂

[@Locksnut]

No he meant Skylab, as stated based on an older antenna by that name

[@mstover2809]

The Skylab is/was a cheap thin-walled knock-off of the old AS M-400 Starduster CB antenna from the '70s

[@michaelfuchs1467]

@@mstover2809 That explains why I've never heard of it. 🤔🙄