HAM RADIO: The Coat hanger Antenna 2m/70cm dipole.

[@ugsisr]

I am fascinated with the RF Propagation side of all of this.... I was a TEO for a Gov agency for 35 years and we did some amazing things with Antennas that we either made or modified. Thank You.. Great Job

[@kb9qdi863]

Thanks for the video! I built one last night following your measurements mounted on a flat piece wood and it attached to 1/4 pvc on a flat base as a indoor stand. I live in a apartment with very strict rules. Took me less than a hour to build and I must say wow! I can open repeaters 30-40 miles away from the second floor completely indoors and 5-7 watts from my UV-82HP. Match stays between 1.1 - 1.3 on all bands 2m/440 on my first try. I'd much rather build my antennas than buy them so much fun! Thanks for the inspiration to build again....I'm watching your indoor stealth build now, good chance I'm building one this weekend for a fellow ham in the same living situation nearby. Anyone wanting a cheap & easy to build antenna it performs much better than the Nagoya NA-771 I was using with great reports on air. Thanks from Ohio 73's KB9QDI

[@mike-M0MSN]

Pleased I could help. :)

[@kb9qdi863]

@@mike-M0MSN definitely did, I've since made the 10m coax vertical and bought a new Ft-710! You gave me the bug 🤣. Thanks my friend, I love your builds and has given me the inspiration to build again. The 10m has made contacts 4000 + miles already during Winter Field Day. So cool!

[@DLBard-bv2nd]

Thanks, this answered my search for a simple 2 meter / 70cm antenna for my Yaesu FT-65R handheld ham radio. Needed one to place on the second floor deck. Visiting family & needed a quick & easy way to hit local repeaters from the back garden. Scrounging parts now. 😁. Cheers, KJ4KNV - D.L. in N.C.🇺🇸

[@DarkShadowCustoms]

This video came up when I did a google search for coat hanger antenna. Instant subscribe for getting a cup of coffee before starting the project.

[@Vapethoven]

Cheers and thank you, this helped me build my first antenna last night. Can’t thank you enough!

[@michaelgunter501]

I am happy this helped you. "Vapetoven"? does this indicate that you are one that enjoys the liquids and electronic devices to make clouds?

[@h.sapienstechnologicus8865]

When I was human, together with my human friends we build coat hangers from wire scavenged from antennas.

[@mike-M0MSN]

Brilliant

[@hallen4094]

And those long winter evenings simply flew by.....🤷🏻🤣😂

[@DynoDieselWagon]

And we enjoyed doing so rajo

[@mattchristofi4295]

😂😂😂

[@hstone0808]

Yea, but did you post videos about it, no,.... dont feel bad, we didn't either.

[@raymondmartin6737]

Cheers from 🇺🇸US from being London born in 1944. I have built 2, 70 cm, and FM band broadcast ground planes using coat hangers and SO-239 connectors in the past and they worked pretty well on those bands. Ray W2CH

[@PaulMoorhousehankooks]

Great job .. I passed My foundation I’m M7HIH now 73s

[@jcsmith9518]

Great! Now I will build my first antenna thanks to you.

[@hallen4094]

I'm going to try this one. Found some friendly local hams on 2m will be great for joining the nets 👍🏻. Really enjoy your channel as a newbie foundation op. Very educational. 73's

[@NicolauFerreira72]

Great video. Nick here from Portugal,, thanks for doing it, now I am going to build one😊

[@RA-Arg]

Brilliant construction antenna! for 2m & 0.70 cm Cheers!

[@Korpen_1979]

I'm not normal either. Cheers from Sweden and thank you

[@frederickwise5238]

Man cant live by radio alone IT TAKES COFFEE.! YES!

[@mike-M0MSN]

YES!

[@williamwiese9963]

This is great! Drill some holes at the top of the wood base and run Paracord through a tall tree👍 I'm going to build this.

[@starcityofva]

" When it inclement you do inclement things " Love it. 73s😀

[@stevefisher1036]

The coffee scene was brilliant.

[@mike-M0MSN]

Thanks Steve

[@richardwhitcroftkc3rrw63]

this was a very interesting project...thanks for sharing.

[@mike-M0MSN]

Very welcome

[@VA2DXR]

got to build this one, great job, thanks for sharing de VA2DXR

[@johnflowers1976]

Hi Mike, my first 2 m vertical antenna used 3 coat hangers with vey little cutting. 2 as a ground plane / 4 leg support and 3rd as the vertical radiator. It was an improvement on the 'rubber duck' and helped me get into the local repeater. 37 years ago now! 73 G0JLF

[@geoffroberts1126]

Heh, once built an SO239 socket and wire coathangar 1/4 w GP for 2m. Managed to work MIR on packet. Good times.

[@richardslade1337]

Thanks for the demo showing how easy it is to make an antenna when you're on a budget of $0.

[@randzvlog3364]

this is great project . i love the most was the coffee ,don't let it become colder bro.

[@buddyhoover57]

Love your video's, keep up the good work! Thanks from AI7YM.

[@mike-M0MSN]

Hey, thanks!

[@clifficus]

Definitely 4 bananas, 👍

[@G0USL]

Love the simplicity Mike - very good

[@mike-M0MSN]

Thanks Mark

[@geoffroberts1126]

First 2m antenna I ever made was done with coathangars. Built around an SO239 socket, 1/4w ground plane with radials. Worked well enough to hit the Mir Space Station on AX25 packet when it was still operating. That was a while ago now lol.

[@drewby4563]

Your not in the picture .. What SWR meter is that please..

[@MAV8865]

Very smart Mike - like that one!

[@mdritch]

Great Video. Can you add additional elements to the same connector to cover additional frequencies? Maybe use solid copper wire, etc. due to the length.

[@willisaefudin1638]

thanks for coat hanger antenn is best

[@VE7QRZ]

Brillant!

[@airmailman1971]

Brilliant as you Brits say except for the coffee. Never put cream in your coffee. haha Thanks for great video!

[@TonyBlews]

I got good results with the hanger looping through just one set of terminals, anchored on the outer ones with the feeder on the inners. had to take some of the bloc casing off though. it'll save about half a penny maybe, but I was running out of blocs.

[@tweedandbriar]

Hi and thanks for the video. I followed instructions very closely. It looks fine, continuity is not an issue, and I used decent materials. However, I simply cannot SWR it, constantly reading VERY high and with a AT-5555 I get an S-HI warning almost as soon as I pick up the Mic - what am I doing wrong?

[@mike-M0MSN]

This antenna is for 144-148 & 430mHz (2m & 70cm) not 27 mHz the AT-5555 is a 27mHz CB or 28mHz Ham radio....(10-11m)

[@peterjones6357]

Thanks for the video. You are very lucky being able to work on the kitchen table! Can I ask what the spray is please? Thanks

[@erizos25]

Thanks Mike, so clear and essy. Will be my first antenna. Great!

[@alantaylor2162]

Great video again Mike 👍👍

[@mike-M0MSN]

Cheers Alan

[@AshleyFoxo]

Going to have to give it a try as a first radio project! -M7OPO

[@souta95]

My wife says I need a coffee mug like yours... 😂

[@BlaireBustillo]

Simple and effective. Thanks for sharing :) 73s

[@mike-M0MSN]

Thanks for watching!

[@RC-Heli835]

That turned out awesome Mike. Its neat that you can build such a small dual band antenna for those bands.😀

[@mike-M0MSN]

Thanks 👍

[@RC-Heli835]

@@mike-M0MSN How long does it take to get a lisence to use 2 meter and 70cm bands Mike? We have to have 11 meter CBs in dump trucks to communicate with asphalt a nd gravel loaders and scale houses which is what got me interested in 2 way radio to start with but I don't like being limited to 11 meter. I love these smaller antennas. Another youtuber was saying he made a 120 mile contact on 2 meter.😃

[@mike-M0MSN]

@@RC-Heli835 The exam is online now, you simply need to purchase the “foundation now” book from the RSGB or Amazon etc websites and read it. Book the exam and pass it. Please note that the license strictly forbids the use of Amateure Radio for commercial purposes. So if you need a radio for work that’s a different license.

[@RC-Heli835]

@@mike-M0MSN Ok im looking into it thx.😀

[@aspirenlptherapies7568]

Does wire thickness matter ? I used 1.3mm wire from a hardware store as could not find metal coat hangers anywhere, I didn’t know if using 1.3mm wire mattered or not ?

[@hennero.3826]

Mike, I am a newbie and I am preparing to built something similar. Do you have any advice regarding adjusting the SWR by shortening the wires? What I mean is this: As far as I know, the 70cm and the 2m wires do not act independently, instead, they influence each other. So, is there - for example - a best practise for the order, like "first adjust he 2m part, then the 70cm part" (or vice versa)? (If that makes sense - I am not a native English speaker)

[@mike-M0MSN]

Hi, it is always good practice to adjust the longest element first as these elements will have effect on their harmonics and in this case, the 70cm element so start long.

[@hennero.3826]

@@mike-M0MSN Hi Mike, thank you. This is exactly what I needed to know.🙂

[@lesmoses3224]

How critical is the space between the two halves when mounting on the plastic? Just not touching or ??

[@mike-M0MSN]

Yep just not touching 10mm is good

[@lesmoses3224]

@@mike-M0MSN thanks Mike! I have it built, just have to attach to a piece of wood from an old clipboard and attach some coax. Going to check out your other videos too.

[@MirlitronOne]

Metal coathangers are becoming hard to find (now we know why). Maybe they'll come back when plastics are banned.

[@W1RMD]

"Mommy Dearest" would not approve!

[@johnkelenfoldi6951]

i dont have acsess to a fanct swr meter like yours so can a meter for a cb radio be used..regards

[@DustInTheWindAZ]

HI Mike, Can this design be expanded into a 2- or 3-element yagi? If so, can the reflector(s) and director(s) also be configured like the driven element, or would they need to be separate for 2M and 70cm? I'm also wondering if they could be configured perpendicular to each other?

[@mike-M0MSN]

yes possibly give it ago...

[@centraalfmcandy6787]

ive build this also but for one of the long radials i used an old radio antenna on the plus site then it was so easy to get a good sdr 1,1 then isolated all with pvc and iso tape still works very well

[@Mottersmotters]

Great video Mike. I am yet to build some antennas when I manage to get a NanoVNA. Can never get my head around how these antennas work with two different lengths of elements on the same coax connection, but hey ho. Wow look at you with the nespresso. We have one but the local place that sells the pods are John Lewis I have seen the on amazon. We used the pods that came in the box and that's it since. Great quick antenna build. Motters M7TRS 73's

[@mike-M0MSN]

Go to Nespresso direct online, next day delivery... will do a video explaining how fan dipoles work in the future.

[@Mottersmotters]

@@mike-M0MSN Super Mike will look out for that. Keep up the great work and advice Motters M7TRS 73's

[@2e0txe]

Simple answer is you can have multiple elements like this design and providing they don't conflict with each on harmonics then whichever one is resonant will take priority. I'm sure we can get Greg to do a speech on it when Macc club opens again :)

[@Mottersmotters]

@@2e0txe hello Damian. so I guess this is some sort of radio magic and it just works. Greg drove past me the other morning when I was driving to work. Stay safe. Motters M7TRS 73's

[@briansegarra9312]

Do the separation between element matter? Im plaing to build one without strip connector, also even if i get a strip conectpr idk if they will have the same distance between element like yours , so does it really matter ? If so how many cm between each element?

[@mike-M0MSN]

Try it and play with the distance, and have fun.🤩

[@howardfrierman6370]

who makes these strip connectors? i cant find them in the usa and wish to try your antenna. thanks so much.

[@mike-M0MSN]

uk.rs-online.com/web/p/standard-terminal-blocks/8133120?cm_mmc=UK-PLA-DS3A-_-google-_-CSS_UK_EN_ePMax_Prio1_RSPro-_--_-8133120&matchtype=&&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADkeWNPJxtVvWIcScdhrpWmljab1a&gclid=Cj0KCQiA57G5BhDUARIsACgCYnzlfOm6sus68hSOHjqlxcKgyAy9KxtiZ9MJ4xJTeReWORRkMO5kv-IaAtF0EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

[@AlessandroBellucci]

Brilliant! My compliments

[@mike-M0MSN]

Many thanks!

[@grzelkapatrice7594]

Très simple en effet. Bravo from F4iwj

[@edgarmontalvodelgado5713]

Excelente, muchas gracias por compartir sus videos, seria muy bueno habilitar para la traduccion automática al español, un abrazo desde Lima Peru.

[@arnet3575]

The swr is good, but not necessarily the radiation. If you have a dipole for one band and then another at 3x the frequency (like 2m and 70cm) with a common feedpoint then the higher band will have a radiation pattern that is not perpendicular to the antenna and not so useful when the antenna is mounted vertically. On 70cm RF currents will flow on both dipoles because the 2m dipole is low impedance on 70cm as well. The antenna is simple to build and I'm sure it will be useful in many cases anyway.

[@mike-M0MSN]

Yep spot on Arne T and that is the whole point of the upload, to a help and to make people give it a go. :)

[@spudmurf9323]

What size are your strip connectors? Thanks, and thanks for offering this.

[@hooked911]

What effect does having the wire U shaped like that have? Would you call that some sort of off center fed? I dont get why you have 2 radials on each side of the dipole instead of a single element. PLEASE explain.

[@hooked911]

Nevermind. Im stoopid. :)

[@mike-M0MSN]

Not stupid :)

[@dougofford6567]

Just wondering what the dB gain is with so few elements please.

[@mike-M0MSN]

No Idea :)

[@skaramicke]

Nice! Great project for a rainy day. My only comment is that I’m guessing it’ll be a 1/4 wave antenna with an opposite ground rather than a dipole, since the jacket of a coax is ground rather than oscillating. Kind of like a tiger tail on an HT. A balun would make it balanced, and have the element connected to the shielding also radiate, increasing the gain. Right?

[@peters6601]

There was me thinking you were going to drill down through the support board into the kitchen worktop!! 😀

[@mike-M0MSN]

Next time!

[@G7WAY]

Built but just for 2m. Testing with the 290 tomorrow....great fun!

[@Tump2010]

now what if you took one of the halves and made a jpole? you could use your screw terminals to easily adjust the feedpoint

[@mike-M0MSN]

Brilliant idea, going to give that a go

[@Steve-GM0HUU]

I have already used this "choc-bloc" method to make a dual band j-pole. Choc-bloc is great for DIY antenna projects.

[@TallyTechandTroubleshooting]

That build I would definitely like to see!

[@G7WAY]

Great stuff Mike. Just the thing for my ft290. I think its going to rain tomorrow too so guess what I'm going to build......

[@mike-M0MSN]

Fantastic

[@militaryrig]

Interested to see what the swr would be on 70cm without the 70cm dipole legs. As a 2m dipole alone doesn't have too bad swr on 70cm.

[@mike-M0MSN]

Probably not that much different just the radiation pattern differs ( I got up to 1S point better signal on 70cm) but that could have been conditions

[@brentbaxter1376]

Great design Mike! I made one last night and it worked fantastically! I had to make two modifications in order to use the materials I had on hand: 1) I used 12 gauge solid copper wire 2) I used a bnc to banana connector. I soldered a short piece of 16 gauge speaker wire to the connecting points and the used the screw terminals on the banana plugs to connectthe other end. After tuning the performance was excellent! BTW - What is the name of this antenna design?? I'm looking everywhere and can't find this particular design anywhere.

[@dmcaudio808]

The name is, Coat Hanger Antena

[@sharonjuniorchess]

Its a basic 1/4 wave dipole with 2m and 70cm elements. It can be used for Vertical (FM) or Horizontal (SSB) by flipping the base plate so the elements are vertical or horizontal.

[@2e0txe]

Going back to the mag loop.... its looking rather wet! Have you protected the capacitor it looks like its open to the elements there.

[@mike-M0MSN]

Yes it is, but that's a test set-up.. :)

[@TallyTechandTroubleshooting]

As a new Ham, this is fantastic and looking forward to giving it a go! Thank you for posting this build... Subscribed! -73 KQ4KIO

[@mike-M0MSN]

Awesome, thank you!

[@RoadRunnerMeep]

What brand of superglue + catalyst were you using

[@joohop]

Thanks Buddy I've Made One And Shared Your Video With A Few Pals Can You Tell Us What Co-Ax To Use Please ? Blessings From Birmingham England

[@mike-M0MSN]

I have used RG58 as it was a short run of around 10m, anything longer and you need to use RG213 or better.

[@bendunselman]

Nice clogs!

[@mike-M0MSN]

Thanks!

[@ridgetopradio1718]

Very interesting, I've made something similar with with galvanised fence wire but would like to know how wide the feed point is and does it make a lot of difference if it was smaller?

[@mike-M0MSN]

No idea, give it a go.

[@WheresJimToday]

Did you keep the (70cm) side at 20cm instead of 17cm? update: Well i built it as you did and it works brilliantly. I didn't have to snip anything off it and can access repeaters over 27miles away.

[@mike-M0MSN]

Great to hear. :)

[@3v068]

If no one can find any kind of wire hangers at all, there is some 16 gauge multipurpose wire that you can find at a local hardware store thats pretty cheap for 50 feet, and it is awesome for this.

[@martinhimstedt5130]

Perfect, thank you :)

[@mike-M0MSN]

You're welcome!

[@RC-Heli835]

Mike do you like the jpole or this one best for 2 meter and 70 centimetres?

[@mike-M0MSN]

J-pole

[@aslamshiekh3058]

hello sir, can we use this antenna directly to an handheld radio? i would really appreciate if you reply to my comments thanks

[@99Victor]

May I ask? Where did you this idea ? Or is there a diagram for this antenna. (73)

[@mike-M0MSN]

My head, but others have done the same, so it's not an original... :)

[@brandonchristopher2337]

Nice simple project. I can't seem to find that strip connector. Do you have a link or another name for it I could search over here on the other side of the big water? Thanks!

[@mike-M0MSN]

Nylon Non-Fused Terminal Block

[@brandonchristopher2337]

@@mike-M0MSN Thank you again.

[@michaelbolton2741]

Great demonstration and build. I'm inspired to construct such a dipole for my attic (loft). I want that coffee cup, however. Where may I find it? 73 de N5RLR. 🙂👍🏼

[@timg5tm941]

Can you put much more than 20w through it Mike you reckon?

[@mike-M0MSN]

Hi Tim, yep probably around 100 watts

[@paulaubuchon2336]

Where can I get the connectors that you used?? For the bends. Paul. K1YOU

[@mike-M0MSN]

Nylon Non-Fused Terminal Block

[@TonyBlews]

Going to try this, but maybe connect the co-ax before i glue it down. it might be easier to handle that way.

[@mike-M0MSN]

Good idea!

[@TonyBlews]

@@mike-M0MSN it worked, btw.

[@seandrake7534]

Nre ham here and i have lots of questions 😂 So if i wanted to hang this in a tree with a rope could i bend a eye in the end of the wire to tie the rope off to to hang it from and if i did that would i need to do it after i get the swr set or would bending a loop in the end of the wire need to add to the length

[@mike-M0MSN]

yep add 1or 2 cm to the length of the longest element and then bend it back to form the loop, hang and check for SWR.

[@cheveredj8435]

Hi I'm extremely new to this would this antenna work with uhf/vhf duel band 136-174MHz/400-480MHz I've got a alinco dj-md5xe and I just listen at night and was hoping I could get a better reception with this in the loft. Thanks in advance.

[@mike-M0MSN]

Yep it will work on 2m and 70cm

[@cheveredj8435]

@@mike-M0MSN ok thanks for getting back to me, im doing nothing tomorrow so I'm going to have a go a making this👍

[@TaterFarmer154]

Thanks Mike very informative. Will the coat hangers antenna handle 50 or 85 watts output from a mobile?

[@mike-M0MSN]

It should

[@MirlitronOne]

How do you reckon this compares with the Flower Pot? (Apart from being smaller and simpler.)

[@mike-M0MSN]

About the same maybe 1/2 a point down...

[@jal7306]

What size are the strip connectors?

[@Archimede-l7h]

A quale gamna d onda serve? Ciao❤

[@johnnorth9355]

A cup of cold coffee and an antenna cake - works never done with Matthew and Sons lol. Great stuff and I may make one eventually Mike but I have just invested in a 450D so my horizons are definitely vertically aligned skywards :-) 73 M7BLC NB hope the wife forgives the worktop scratches ?

[@ohaya1]

Hello, excellent video, thank you. I am new to this, can you confirm please if 144.500 is the Image Mode centre of activity, and can it be used for Simplex without causing interference? M7BAL

[@mike-M0MSN]

Yes, correct

[@reeingre]

Hi, will this work with only the shorter elements, for 70cm?

[@mydroid2791]

Yes it should, as the antenna is just 2 half dipole antennas joined at the center. But why not keep the 2 x 50 cm part?

[@KingJarreth]

Thank you for sharing. KN6FXJ, on the other side of the pond, and I'm enjoying learning about little variants on the dipoles. It's neat to see what others are doing, and I'll be making my second antenna, using the power block idea you shared.

[@ianxfs]

How easy was that?! Will be a bit long as the antenna starts at the coax split, so that middle spacing is also part of the radiating elements when measuring up. Now to raid the wardrobe (I assume I ignore the plastic ones 😮) 🧥 👗 👕👍🏻

[@marvinitopagobo7364]

how long of a length for the Coax cable from top to bottom?

[@mike-M0MSN]

Depends on how much you have....

[@washingtonstatepicker3460]

I tried to make this but my coax shield and terminal would not fit into the block! I sanded down the coat hanger and still did not work. I am going to re-make it again and use a larger board and actually solder two jumper wires to an SO239 I think.

[@VASGENR6DJF]

cool? very nice, thanks

[@_MisterG]

Going to make one of these while I wait for confirmation of my pass from RSGB. As a newly passed Foundationier - don't we need a balun on this?

[@mike-M0MSN]

nope

[@kemalciftci4551]

Amigo VHF ve UHF cm uzunlukları ne olmalı bilgilendirirseniz sevinirim

[@thedancingalien7766]

Us aliens have these sort Of aerials.

[@mattbtay]

I want to add a pole for 220mHz could I just solder another wire below the first two?

[@mike-M0MSN]

Yes you can, each leg would need to be 31cm long. :)

[@mattbtay]

@@mike-M0MSN so I’m thinking I would like take an inch of coat hanger solder that to the 2nd leg, then add the new leg to another circuit strip and solder that to the other end of that inch wire.

[@Sydneywizard]

Awesome build. Does it matter what the amperage (6/10/15/30/60) of the strip connectors are?

[@mike-M0MSN]

No as long as the cable and wire fits.