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Post by KneeBiter on Jun 15, 2012 16:48:30 GMT -5
Well I have not had an antenna up for many years. Now that I am getting back into it and pulling out my old equipment I figured I would pull out the old Astroplane and get it cleaned up and some new hardware.
Well after 2 moves it seems I lost some pieces. Not sure how but the entire bottom loop is gone. Everything else is there. I purchased this in the mid 80s and think it was a copy not an avanti. It is a bronze color aluminum and worked unreal.
Now I need to buy an antenna. I would like an old school type like a ground plane or astoplane. Dont want any coil spring looking ones. Does anybody make something like this today ? Send me some links if there is.
Thanks
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**GRUMPY**
Administrator/The Boss 
Classic Radio Operator Olde Timer 8220 [/color][/center]
"The King of Ping"
Posts: 4,342
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Post by **GRUMPY** on Jun 15, 2012 19:41:06 GMT -5
Well I have not had an antenna up for many years. Now that I am getting back into it and pulling out my old equipment I figured I would pull out the old Astroplane and get it cleaned up and some new hardware. Well after 2 moves it seems I lost some pieces. Not sure how but the entire bottom loop is gone. Everything else is there. I purchased this in the mid 80s and think it was a copy not an avanti. It is a bronze color aluminum and worked unreal. Now I need to buy an antenna. I would like an old school type like a ground plane or astoplane. Dont want any coil spring looking ones. Does anybody make something like this today ? Send me some links if there is. Thanks
www.hyelectronics.com/NEW-Astro-Plane-ALPHA-Base-Antenna/productinfo/LW-101/ |
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Post by zman on Jun 16, 2012 21:12:25 GMT -5
if you can gt the specs off of someone you can remake that hoop. I did once to an AP i had that had a badly damaged hoop. I just made it out of copper....
or i have a couple of metal antennas id be willing to part with!!!! ;D
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Post by zman on Jun 16, 2012 21:15:17 GMT -5
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Post by Marc on Jul 2, 2012 14:30:29 GMT -5
Check with homerbb I think he built one a little while back.?
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Post by KneeBiter on Jul 2, 2012 18:15:05 GMT -5
Chatted with him and he gave me some good ideas. I ended up buying some 1/2" aluminum fuel line. Perfect for making the missing ring. Will be getting to it soon. will post pics when done.
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Post by homerbb on Jul 2, 2012 21:55:46 GMT -5
I am so looking forward to it.
I am going to rebuild another one, too, but made of all metal this time.
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Post by rifleman on Jul 2, 2012 22:19:53 GMT -5
You are the man when it comes to those bad boys !!
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Post by doctor on Jul 4, 2012 7:47:54 GMT -5
WILL be interesting to see the results, I had one up for 4 or 5 years but it fell apart, and did do a lot of repair work on it, it was flimsy..hey rebuild one and make a few extra for the forum group of course a forum discount..ha ha. ;D.waiting for those pics
DOCTOR
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Post by rifleman on Jul 4, 2012 11:16:13 GMT -5
Unless you have the skilz of HomerBB, and have an unlimited supply of free unobtainium, it is not that easy to build a super working, small, light weight, 11 meter antenna that stands up exposed to the weather forever. LOL !!
Here in the midwest, if an antenna can stay up with no problems for over five years, I would consider it a winner !!
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Post by homerbb on Jul 4, 2012 13:17:54 GMT -5
The little PVC and Tape AP has been in there about 1.5 to 2 years. I have re-taped it here and there.
When I make the one with all metal it will fly for many years.
They handle wind load quite easily, it seems, And they don't weigh much , , ,
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Post by rifleman on Jul 4, 2012 14:08:28 GMT -5
I guess in my old age I am lazy...
I do not want to have to repair my antennas every so often.
(Well, I guess it is not old age... I have always felt that way...)
LOL !!
But then, I have never been that into testing as many designs and home brew antennas as you have, HomerBB !!
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bigt
Mudduck
Posts: 38 
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Post by bigt on Feb 15, 2015 20:37:16 GMT -5
if you can gt the specs off of someone you can remake that hoop. I did once to an AP i had that had a badly damaged hoop. I just made it out of copper.... or i have a couple of metal antennas id be willing to part with!!!! ;D |
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bigt
Mudduck
Posts: 38
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Post by bigt on Feb 15, 2015 20:42:51 GMT -5
For the ring on the Astroplane you need 4 3/8" by 24" curved pieces which will give you 96". cbtricks.com has a copy of the owners manual and all the specs. I wrote down the dimensions so maybe I can try to build one some day. Loved my old one back in the day.
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Post by bill on Feb 16, 2015 8:35:55 GMT -5
The Thread was / is over 2 Years Old.....
I am a Metal Fabricator / Welder by Trade... I would not be able to Form the 4, Curved Pieces, with the Information you provided... Sure, I could make a ," best guess "...
One needs to know the Radius or the Diameter of the Circle, in order to form the Curvature... If you are saying 96 Inches is the Circumference, one would then divide by Pie ( 3.1416 ) to get the Diameter and halve that to get the Radius... Once arrived at the Radius, one would set a Compass to draw the Circle to use as a Pattern to form the correct curve... Unless one has a " Roller " to form the Curvature, one might have to find " something " round to use to form the Tubing around... Like a Car Tire... a Trash Can... Or just use one's 2 Hands to curve the Tubing to follow the Drawn Circle Pattern...
The Ring does not have to be, 4 Pieces... Could be done in 1 Piece, or however many you wish... It does help to know the Diameter of the Circle in order to Form it... I do not believe Precision Accuracy is needed, but it just makes it easier...
There are a few Articles Online which discuss, Homebrew Astroplane Antenna... 1 Such Article had a " Blue Print " to use to Build it, with actual Dimensions...
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Post by KneeBiter on Feb 16, 2015 11:27:58 GMT -5
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Post by bill on Feb 16, 2015 15:06:00 GMT -5
Perfect.....  Get'er Done... For a Cubical Quad Homebrew Beam... I wished I still had access to Bamboo " Rods " like I used to gather when I was a Kid, from the Guy in the Neighborhood who Installed Carpeting ...The Carpet was rolled and supported by the Bamboo through it, that aided in Carrying it too, I assume... I say Bamboo Rods, as I used one for Fishing as a Kid, growing up Poor  I'd use the Bamboo for Element Spreaders... Antenna on the Cheap... That Bamboo was Light Weight and Strong.... Go Green... Instead of Fiberglass I'm Gearing-Up to build this Antenna www.bellscb.com/products/antennas/Maco/Maco_laser500.htmA 40 Foot Monstrosity.... 11 DB GAIN.... 28 Times the Power Magnification.... That's what I am Talking about Can you Hear me Now ? Good.... I can save on my Electricity Bill... Shut off the 2 Tube 120 Volt Driver and the 2 Tube Big Box running on 220 Volt |
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Post by bill on Feb 16, 2015 17:51:16 GMT -5
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Post by cbrown on Feb 17, 2015 9:50:20 GMT -5
Homerbb had done extensive work on the home brewed Astroplane, I'd try and contact him. |
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Sandbagger
Administrator/The Boss
Posts: 6,250
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Post by Sandbagger on Feb 17, 2015 11:17:54 GMT -5
Homerbb had done extensive work on the home brewed Astroplane, I'd try and contact him. I wonder what ever happened to him? He hasn't checked in since August. I enjoyed reading about his homebrew antenna projects. |
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Post by cbrown on Feb 18, 2015 10:38:14 GMT -5
Same here, his work with homebrew antennas was great to follow. I've seen him on other forums, but I'm not sure how active he is there either.
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Post by bill on Feb 18, 2015 16:49:41 GMT -5
Other Forums You mean there are other Forums out there I got Nervous when I read the News in another Forum.... Seems their Website had been Attacked I was nervous the Forum might have finally been taken down FOREVER and the Scum, I mean Members, may then find their way here I have never been where SO MANY ADULTS act as CHILDREN... Most everything there is, Pornographic To the Point to make one Concerned that there are some Serious Mental Issues going on I was RELIEVED to Learn their Website was Back Up and Running It is a Shame that some of them Act the way that they do, as SOME of them are Actually, Intelligent when it comes to Radio I wonder WHY they Participate there I can count the Number of Radio Groups I participate in on 1 Hand... |
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Post by BBB on Feb 19, 2015 9:35:19 GMT -5
There is an old Astroplane still up a few miles from me. It looks intact so I'd like to stop in one day and ask if they'd sell it.
To veer of topic for a moment in regards to the prior comments... as far as radio forums go, I like diversity.
Just like you get on the CB radio, the forums are like different channels, some with tech guys and some with people just clowning around. Some are more "in your face, deal with it" and others more laid back and geared towards ham and CB operators. You may be surprised to find just how many folks here, frequent "there"
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Post by cbrown on Feb 19, 2015 11:20:39 GMT -5
To veer of topic for a moment in regards to the prior comments... as far as radio forums go, I like diversity. Just like you get on the CB radio, the forums are like different channels, some with tech guys and some with people just clowning around. Some are more "in your face, deal with it" and others more laid back and geared towards ham and CB operators. You may be surprised to find just how many folks here, frequent "there" I'm on a few also, most of them are pretty good and have good people. Use the same name too, so people can find me. Couldn't use it here, so I went with 'cbrown' since someone already had 'Charlie Brown' on here. Radio is a hobby for me so I try and enjoy it. As soon as I don't I'll try something else. I have a lot of hobbies.  |
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I'd use the Bamboo for Element Spreaders... Antenna on the Cheap... That Bamboo was Light Weight and Strong.... Go Green... Instead of Fiberglass 
