Build your own Roll Up Slim Jim Antenna for the 2 Meter Ham Radio Band.

[@Hamdalorian]

Give a man an antenna, he plays radio for a day. Teach him how to make his own stuff, he annoys a spouse for life.

[@hamradiotube]

Haha that’s great!

[@union310]

Pmsl

[@rat0023]

So true

[@southernexposure123]

Well, she probably deserves it. lol

[@TubeRadiosRule]

I made my first one just last night, from odds and ends of ladder line and coax cable I picked up at the local swap meet yesterday afternoon. Resonant at 146 MHz. Hung it from my living room ceiling and my wife and I used it to get on the repeater that is about 40 miles away from us. Works great!

[@AlvinMcManus]

If I ever get the urge to DIY again this is at the top of my list. I gave up the real diy when I got hurt so, poo. Still love watching someone else do it. I used to be an inspector so, I like to watch. 🙂 Great easy to understand video.

[@NSNorfolk]

Great explanation, Mike. Been licensed right a 50 years and am always happy to learn new skills.

[@hamradiotube]

Hey thanks so much!

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

I appreciate the soldering skills. Good stuff!

[@hamradiotube]

Thanks Josh. It’s all about a clean tip.

[@sparky42]

I have made many over my 55 plus years on the air , ( mainly HF ) One memorable one was a directional wire antenna that was used on WWII battleships that was flip flopped to the opposite direction by hand .

[@DewayneW4FDT]

just got some ladder line this past weekend just for a project like this, then seen your video. Made it much easier in my mind. I am going to do a class with our new hams in the community and get them to make their own antennas (we have tested around 15 new hams in our area in about 6 months). I bought enough crimp connectors and ladder line for 10 or so of these. Thanks for the video and tuning instructions!

[@hamradiotube]

Wow that’s awesome, way to get the newbies involved! It’s a really easy project and doesn’t take much time. Plus it shows people just how easy building your own antennas can be. It’s very gratifying.

[@BoB4jjjjs]

Why buy when you can make it yourself, you also learn something. Best instruction video I have seen on these to date thus far.

[@hamradiotube]

Glad you liked it. Thanks for watching.

[@martinsalt1839]

Great video ! I made one of these with the 450 ohm ladderline a few months ago, but added a small RF choke at the bottom by winding several turns of coax and taping it all together. Works really well and SWR is flat on 145.00

[@hamradiotube]

Thanks Martin. Yeah a choke is recommended, but I like to live dangerously. I really should experiment with that though.

[@hobiekanobie4982]

hi, can you show this, please?

[@JReed305]

I made one of those back in the 90's when I had my first Tech license. Things work great! Simple yet effective, cann't beat it.

[@hamradiotube]

Awesome. I agree.

[@WJ6FRadio]

Outstanding video! I have been using the N9TAX for years, but building your own is always better!

[@hamradiotube]

Yeah I've seen his. They look great, but yes, home brew is usually always better.

[@Nightshft42]

I bought a very similar (new to ham and didn't know they are that easy to build) and it works very well. I really enjoy your presentation style! Instant sub.

[@hamradiotube]

Hey thats great, welcome to the hobby! There are so many great things to learn in this hobby I don't think you could even scratch the surface in a lifetime. I got hooked on antennas early on. A lot of them are pretty easy to build and very effective. Thanks for watching and thanks for the sub! 73

[@petersmith5199]

I was recommended to make this as a newbie an hour or so ago, so that's the plan for tomorrow! Thank you 😊

[@K5ATA]

Sweet, another K8MRD premier! Now I know when to schedule a fresh pot of coffee to be ready! ;)

[@hamradiotube]

If you're drinking coffee as late as when this premieres you have problems lol!

[@K5ATA]

@@hamradiotube I drink coffee right up until I go to bed... so yeah, I guess I have problems!

[@forgetyourlife]

​@@K5ATA When the migraines begin you will wish you hadn't. I'm guessing your in your mid 40's? Your body will start rejecting that much bean juice pretty soon. Stomach ulcers could be immanent as well. Black tea my friend.

[@schmidtyyt]

This looks like a very fun, easy build. Thanks for the great video!

[@MacWalther]

Just subbed. This antenna is the reason I sit on the porch and can hit a repeater 32 miles away in Clarkston, MI from Brighton, MI on my HT! 73 KD8SGP

[@guerrillashadowman]

Thanks your video helped me build mine. Really informative

[@K4MJV]

These antennas are handy to have in your go bag for sure. Even a 5 watt HT can get out well with it.

[@hamradiotube]

Yeah they work great. Nice to be able to get some height.

[@Dusty_Ham]

Great video, I'm making one tomorrow to toss on my balcony on a fishing rod. Thanks Mike!

[@hamradiotube]

Awesome, they work great and its a fun build.

[@JohnHaworth]

Nice to see use of the Metric tape measure....need to get one of those.

[@hamradiotube]

Harbor Freight buddy.

[@stewpot3971]

Great video, just made one and managed to reach a repeater here in the U.K. ; one that I have never accessed before. Merry Christmas and 73!

[@hamradiotube]

Thats awesome, glad to hear it. Merry Christmas to you. 73

[@KM4ACK]

Great video Mike. Thanks!

[@hamradiotube]

Thank you

[@phildurall7466]

Nice build Mike! Helping keepg the spirit of Ham Radio alive!

[@hamradiotube]

Thanks Phil.

[@commonsensepatriot9450]

Thanks for the lesson.

[@4113N5]

This is crazy! My HF bench lQQk just like yours with the vice, radio and power supply and other stuff on the top with magnets and magnetic trays stuck to the faceplate. Hahaha

[@royceweslowski3730]

Good video thanks. New or old hams could use this.

[@TictacAddict1]

Great video again, Mike.

[@LavaKimo]

This was the first antenna I built. Seven years later it is still in the air working.

[@devarajans2881]

Good demo on how to make

[@ronaldharris5562]

Good job my first and only was a 2m ground plane with 4 radials and a center. But it’s somewhat bulky and fragile. I really dig this antenna. I can see myself making this one

[@hamradiotube]

The only thing I would change if I were buying more 450 ladder line is get the stranded wire. The solid can break with too much use taking it up and down a lot. It's a great antenna and a super easy build.

[@ronaldharris5562]

@@hamradiotube I’m going to look that up. Any suggestions for HF? I have a chameleon end fed antenna. It works well but I want to try a homemade vertical easily deployable. 40 & 80 meters for sure

[@1polonium210]

OK, you have given me another project to start today! I think I'll try the 20-m band loft antenna.

[@hamradiotube]

Haha, sorry not sorry. Antenna projects are always a good thing.

[@joewillj]

Great video! I’ve been looking at the roll up antennas for backpacking. Didn’t realize it was this easy to make!

[@hamradiotube]

Thanks Joseph. Yep, it's a super easy project.

[@вечная_мерзлота]

I really thought there for a second that you’re going to shoot it up the tree without connecting coax. 😂😂😂 thought u showing us some kind of magic.

[@hamradiotube]

Honestly I almost did lol! I'll have to figure out how to get blue tooth into the antenna.

[@akcharlie1960]

Gonna do it. Thanks.

[@atomixspeaks]

Brand new to HAM this is awesome! Looking forward to getting my Tech next month. Hoping to find some active clubs in the Michigan area.

[@hamradiotube]

Right on, welcome to the hobby. It's a great one indeed. I just moved out of Michigan to Texas. Good luck on the exam. When you pass, take the General test at the same session. You may just end up passing that too. Plus it's free to try.

[@atomixspeaks]

@@hamradiotube thanks for the tip! Enjoy not shoveling today.. 😀

[@Steve-GM0HUU]

Good video thanks. I made of these and it works very well. Maybe worth mentioning that even if you can get a good match (low SWR) on 70cm on a 2m slimJIM or J-pole, it is not going to radiate very well. The 2m slimJIM is basically an end fed folded vertical dipole which makes it a very effective antenna. However, on 70cm, it works as three dipoles in series. With no phasing between each dipole, the radiation from each tends to cancel radiation from the one just above or just below. It does work and it is better than no antenna, it just doesn't work very well.

[@hamradiotube]

Right on, thanks for watching. I did show the swr on 70cm not being all that great in the video, hence me calling it a 2 meter antenna but yes, you are correct. Once you start talking about phasing though, you are above my intelligence lol! That is very interesting though. I'm always curious to learn more about antennas. It's become quite the obsession for sure.

[@trig6712]

good really took me back a bit . @ 1965 HI

[@michaeledmonds3027]

Nice work.... Thanks for the tag along. Will be interesting to test on 2M simplex.

[@hamradiotube]

thanks for watching.

[@s34mu5]

Awesome video, thanks

[@washingtonstatepicker3460]

Very cool antenna! Thanks for sharing

[@hamradiotube]

You bet

[@rohnkd4hct260]

I built one with some junk 300 ohm twinlead I had laying around and a length of RG8 (also scrap) about 15 years ago. I had to be out of town on business and stuck in hotel room at night. I could just hear a local repeater (about 25- 35 miles away) on my HT. I hung the antenna from the curtain rod, and heard the repeater S5! They do work. KD4HCT

[@hamradiotube]

Absolutely. I did the same thing when I moved to Texas. Hung it up in the window, started talking on a repeater, then someone else came on and told me of a place for rent. Thats how I found where I'm living now until I find my forever home here.

[@davidgraf197]

Awesome Video!

[@vetham100]

Good video, thanks for taking the time.

[@hamradiotube]

Thanks or watching

[@drewby4563]

Sir what does volocity have to do with it sir

[@hamradiotube]

The velocity in terms coax would have to do with what velocity (speed) the electricity is moving through the wire compared to the speed of light. Usually a percentage.

[@oldpreach]

Very good ! I think you hit the big time, because I had to go through 4 ads to watch the video. Acts 2:38 to you.

[@hamradiotube]

Holy crap, 4 ads?!? Thats crazy. Well I'm glad you suffered through it and were able to watch. 73

[@GlenBHoward]

Great video! I am curious however, why you soldered the leads at the top of the ladder line as opposed to leaving them open as per most instructions and diagrams?

[@ky4tgtodd203]

Great video! I have a roll up slim Jim made by N9TAX that I love! 73, KM4OCJ - Todd in south central Kentucky

[@hamradiotube]

Oh yeah I know those antennas. Never used one but thats who I was kinda talking about at the end about buying one for $20 or just making your own. I did see them at HamCation this year. They look very well built. Way better than mine for sure.

[@andrewhamop6665]

I just made one of these, it works so well!

[@hamradiotube]

Awesome, glad to hear.

[@tallmike6598]

Nice project and portable op's friendly..

[@hamradiotube]

Glad you like it!

[@propagating-radio]

Nice video! I appreciate you sharing this.

[@hamradiotube]

Thanks for watching!

[@drewby4563]

Thank you sir ...Andy UK ..

[@haroldsmith45302]

Thanks for the tutorial. Now I want to make one too.

[@hamradiotube]

You're welcome, and you should.

[@briangrove597]

Great video, would like to try an make one for GMRS. Thanks

[@kd8opi]

Hi, really liked your video and presentation style. Subscribed. Ignore the goofballs, especially if they don't create content.

[@hamradiotube]

Thanks, glad you liked it. There's always going to be goofballs when you put yourself out in public. If anyone worried about them, there wouldn't be a KZbin. 73

[@w4mkh]

A hole punch works better than a drill for making the hole. I just made one but the resonant point was up around 150MHz do I had to lengthen the 1/4 wave stub. Adding wire back after you have vut out the gap is a pain in the arse. But It works and the only out of pocket expense was for some heat shrink tubing.

[@hamradiotube]

Use what's available to you. I don't own a hole punch. Looks like I need to take another trip to Harbor Freight lol! I hate having to add more wire to an antenna, but only because of my OCD. I want it perfect the first time.

[@shmecky2818]

Was watching this today and started to think could you use this as a compact horizontal antenna if you soldered in the cable perpendicular to the ladder instead of parallel?

[@peterfardell9267]

According to Rex Judd -the inventor of the Slim Jim, the coax feed should leave the antenna AT RIGH ANGLES - i.e. horizontally from the antenna. He said "This is important..." I have always complies with this and it does lower the SWR from around 1.2 to 1 to 1.0 to 1 over 145 - 146 MHz

[@richardkennedy5598]

What would be a good antenna analyser for a new ham?

[@derektrounce937]

A suggestion would be to use a single hole punch for making room at the coax connector! 73 KL4KF

[@pnowikow]

Do you have any comparison to the rubber duck on an HT?

[@bradnicoll2282]

I shared your video on the W8IRA Linked Repeater Facebook group. Good stuff. One of these days it would be cool to do a NVIS antenna experiment with you. I'm in Alpena.

[@hamradiotube]

Awesome, thanks for sharing this! I don't have the room or the antenna to do nvis on 80 here at home unfortunately. Yes I can tune my OCFD on 80 but I don't think that would be the same. I'm always up for trying though.

[@bradnicoll2282]

@@hamradiotube I think you can do a NVIS on 40 meters, although it is probably more likely to make contacts on 75 meters generally. Might be something fun to play with on Field Day. I would think a SO239 and a bunch of speaker wire stretched low between a couple of trees would do the job. What would be cool is a Park to Park contact within Michigan on a NVIS.

[@eizlan48]

Will the measurements work with a 300ohm flat cable as well?

[@kambeckgr]

Reactance looks a bit high. How were the actual results with it on the air?

[@hamandshortwaveradioirelan4773]

Good solid information, thanks for sharing 👍

[@hamradiotube]

Glad it was helpful!

[@EchoMeToo]

Make sure the gap is cut outside the balanced feeder cutout window. Start making your antenna from there for antenna structural reasons.

[@hamradiotube]

Yes. That’s what I did.

[@user-h576b45]

I have a lot of 400 ohm ladder line...will this work?

[@markdoyle8713]

Very nice , now I just have to pick up my IC 705 and stuff that in my back pack . Could you fool around with the 440 side of it a bit. It would be killer if we cold dial that in .

[@hamradiotube]

Thats a whole other level of antenna. Not quite as easy of a build as this. I might look into it. There are a few different plans on the inter webs.

[@KeepEvery1Guessing]

Have you read Ed Fong's articles (WB6IQN) in the February 2003 and March 2007 issues of QST? He makes a good case for a J-pole versus a Slim Jim, and has pretty nice twin lead designs, including a roll up in the second article.

[@hamradiotube]

If I have it's been a while. I actually bought his dual bander when I first got licensed and I'm not really that impressed with it. I was expecting better quality.

[@KeepEvery1Guessing]

@@hamradiotube The roll up or the one that goes in the PVC pipe. I have the latter and it seems to be working well for me. Of course, I don't have anything else to compare with it this decade. You do need to use the specified PVC. The normal (schedule 40?) stuff detunes it.

[@hamradiotube]

@@KeepEvery1Guessing I have the one that goes in the pvc.

[@medicineman4040]

The pigtail 'thing' that will connect to coax, where do I order it? What is its real name again please.

[@hamradiotube]

I just used an SO-239 and cut the coax to attach it to the antenna if that's what you're taking about.

[@cotton77837]

Can you point me to where I can find that inline SO239 connector that is on your pigtail? I can only find the PL259s. I don't want to have to use a PL259 with a female to female coupler if I can help it. Your little pigtail looks pretty slick. Thanks!

[@paulmaine6433]

I have the same question.

[@hamradiotube]

I can’t find my original order to link the exact ones but I’m pretty sure they are these. I just searched eBay for so-239 crimp and include the size coax. I think I’m using RG-58/U on this antenna. If you use a different size search for that. www.ebay.com/itm/5Pcs-UHF-female-SO239-SO-239-window-crimp-RG58-RG142-LMR195-RG400-RF-connector-/192553902421?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0

[@Sonnyblack100]

Does this work with 300 watts on the fm ?

[@rayjones4963]

Hey Mike, this is awesome. I love messing with antennas. Got into the hobby late in life, but it's guys like you that make it sooooooo great. I'm going to try and build this one for sure. Thanks for sharing. Where in Ohio are you? KE8KKY

[@hamradiotube]

Hey that's great to hear! This is a really easy but fun project to get a great working portable antenna for 2 meters. If I can do this, anyone can. Thanks for watching and 73.

[@CinematicTouchProductions]

Hi Mike. Can the slimjim be folded bent in half and taped to a window?

[@outsidetheboxperspectives6981]

Hey man.. Love your vids, first time commenting. I'm building this now, and wondering where you got your so-239 "pigtail"? I can't even seem to find the parts to build one.. only like bulkhead and surface mount SO-239 (female UHF) connectors.. Can't find anything attached to a cable like what you used... 73 - N9XRY

[@outsidetheboxperspectives6981]

Sorry, just saw your reply to similar questions a month ago :)

[@hamradiotube]

Thanks for watching. I bought the SO-239's from Ebay and made the pigtail myself. DIY buddy!

[@Bodo_Richard]

Hi ! Could you please tell me the name / type of this special double wire you are using? Could you possibly send me a link where it can be purchased? I don't know if such a cable is available in Hungary at all... I want to make a Slim Jim antenna for Air-Band, for my SDR receiver. Thank you! The antenna cable is H-155 ? Richard Hungary

[@hamradiotube]

I got this at a swap. Search for 450 ohm window line. Also called ladder line. Stranded would be better than solid as it's more flexible and won't break over time.

[@Bernard-John]

Hi,good video, well explained, I don't understand everything, but interesting, thanks from Rotterdam.

[@hamradiotube]

Thanks for watching.

[@K3TEF]

haha is that a capo you used to hold the feed point pigtail while you soldered? nice ! great video man

[@hamradiotube]

No it’s just a clamp but that would have been a good idea.

[@Bertimus90]

Thanks for the great video. Any idea what kind of gain it’s getting?

[@b4ux1t3-tech]

Is there any good reason I can't just use some old in-wall electrical cable and bend it into a j? Obviously I'll need to get the length right, but would there be any functional difference between that and ladder line here? I could even print out spacers on the trusty 3d printer.

[@hamradiotube]

No idea. Try it and let us know.

[@MountainMan7.62x39]

What are those cutters at 8:25 called?

[@hamradiotube]

Oh shoot I have no idea what they’re called. Maybe flush cutters? Knippers maybe??

[@CinematicTouchProductions]

Hi K8MRD, do you think if I duck tape the slim jim to the wall it will diminish the signal the duck tape blocking any signal?

[@hamradiotube]

I wouldn’t think so, unless it’s the actual aluminum tape they use on ducts.

[@Scif64]

i use a slimjim made of 450ohm ladder for 2m and works great. 73s

[@hamradiotube]

Right on, 73.

[@apar1560]

👍👍👍 NICE ! ...Alan in 🇨🇱

[@TI2GBB]

Hi thanks for the nice video. Here in Costa Rica we only have 300 ohms available, should this balance line works to build this antenna? The only way to get 450ohms Is unfortunately export the cable and the cost Is $$$ expensive. 73s from TI2GBB- Greg

[@hamradiotube]

Yeah there are instructions for 300 ohm available on the same website I used to build mine. I can't remember what it was but its in the video.

[@BrianJurkowski]

Thanks for another great video! One question: 8:54 "Worst wire strippers ever..." Was that sarcasm or did you mean that? I have an identical pair of wire strippers and REALLY like them. 73 - VE3KLT

[@hamradiotube]

No I meant that. Cheap harbor freight wire strippers. They’re junk.

[@ruslannagiev5593]

Neat and nice soldering, cool idea, and I absolutely share your opinion about all the advantages of building such things yourself just you know to realize how things work while doing it. The measurements are convincing but would you show us this piece of hardware in action for the sake of knowing what to expect and compare to? :)

[@hamradiotube]

Thanks for watching. I suppose at some point I could do that.

[@brentjohnson6654]

Another great video! I thought of building this and may still. I ended up making a 2m/70cm ground plane antenna out of 10AWG wire and a SO239. I tried with a N, but the 10AWG wire didn’t fit. Love your videos and thanks for the good content as always! 73 de KI5HXM

[@hamradiotube]

Thats another antenna I would like to build one of these days. Thanks for watching.

[@brentjohnson6654]

@@hamradiotube Yes, I built mine based on Dave’s video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rl6ngYmrrrprhsk. I tested it with my nanoVNA and it is close. My 2m section needs adjusting. But it is pretty cool. Love the science part of our hobby.

[@TheNoCodeTech]

#MNHR Team replay for the win! Man, I'm going to have to build one of those! Now I'm not one for the CW. However I think you may have snuck some beeps into your into there.

[@hamradiotube]

You are correct, my intro is my callsign in cw played (poorly) on guitar.

[@mattxoverbey]

Have you had any issues with any strain on the connectors when deploying this antenna?

[@hamradiotube]

Nope.

[@albertmirasol1408]

Any suggestion for a dual band uhf/ vhf antenna made out of rg8 coax...thanks

[@hamradiotube]

An antenna MADE out of rg8 coax thats dual band, no. But you can watch this video that Kevin made: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qpLJqmhnrrqth9E

[@albertmirasol1408]

@@hamradiotube thanks bro

[@Capt_Duffy]

As usual great video Mike...just one question, how much power this can handle...any rough idea ? TNX

[@hamradiotube]

Thank you. I would suspect (but do not quote me) quite a bit of power. Way over 100 watts. I'm using 16awg solid window line. Pretty sure thats actually rated for legal limit (1500 watts in the US).

[@stevegriffin3609]

Beautiful job on the antenna really enjoyed the video 73 WD5ENH Steve

[@hamradiotube]

Thank you, I appreciate you being here. 73

[@Akamaholic]

is this a directional antenna?

[@hamradiotube]

Omnidirectional.

[@jahnkaplank8626]

what does it mean '2 m'? Does that mean you can only use a specific frequency range?

[@hamradiotube]

Yes, this antenna is for the 2 meter (144-148MHz) amateur radio band. All antennas are resonant on a particular frequency range. This was made for the VHF spectrum of amateur radio.

[@jahnkaplank8626]

@@hamradiotube ok thanks

[@pcguru4698]

hey brother do you have plans to make 2m/ 70cm 145mhz/440mhz ladder line slim jim with good match on both bands ?

[@hamradiotube]

Maybe at some point but it's not on the list of things to do right now. It's not quite as easy a build and involves some matching stubs. I haven't really researched it that much though.

[@W8MJL]

what's the power range on this mike? I'm assuming up to 10w, i wouldn't think it would hold my 80w mobile at full tilt. 73 de W8MJL

[@hamradiotube]

Dude this is 16awg solid window line. Pretty sure its legal limit. 100 watts is no problem. Don't quote me though. Think of a G5RV antenna, this is the same window line used as the feed line.

[@K4MJV]

I used this with my FT-991at full power many times with no problems. It will handle more than enough power for portable work.

[@JReed305]

Used to push 65w on one no problems. These are tank like in their construction.

[@1958johndeere620]

Your a good boy, very good boy.

[@hamradiotube]

Aww, shucks lol!

[@DonHavjuan]

If you can understand how a J-pole works, you can see this is just a j-pole with the element folded in half. All of the understanding around why the feed-point is part of the way up from the 'short' at the bottom of the loop, far enough to make it 50ohms (further up = more ohms, right at the bottom will be zero) applies the same to the slim jim as to a j-pole. That's why all the calculations are the same between them.

[@hamradiotube]

They are very similar, yes.

[@mark002228]

Perfect content especially for newbies. I built one 3 years ago with 300 ohm ladder line. Still hanging in my living room. 😁 K0PIG

[@hamradiotube]

Hey Pig what's up!? Thanks for stopping by. I watched every video I could on antennas like this when I got my Tech. I just wish I'd have done this video earlier. The plans I used for this antenna should translate very well to the 300ohm ladder line too, which I watched every video on that too! I'm amazed at how easy these antennas are to build and how well they perform. Thats a true testament to you having yours up 3 years later too. They just work. 73

[@mark002228]

@@hamradiotube Just to let you know, I have had my little roller J pole in the field many times with my little handheld. I try to keep it short feed line but sometimes I get it up about 20 feet. I can hit repeaters 100 miles away. It’s a silly little antenna but very effective. Thanks for showing it

[@hamradiotube]

@@mark002228 Absolutely. Super portable. I take my old one every time my club does an event. I'll be taking this one from now on because its better. 20 feet is about all you'd need too, if not less, depending on where you are.