Recently, I was approached by the Adelaide Hills Amateur Radio Club to use SA Wire Ware to run some workshops over two nights, (where Melrose AP is).
The club was quite organised, as they had a plan to build a new type of dual band J Pole antenna for the 2metre and 70cm Amateur Radio bands which one of their members had constructed with great success. Before you ask the same antenna for 2.4/5.8Ghz would only be 3cm high and would exhibit a gain of 2.51dbi.
The group was quite organised with about 18 members who pooled together to purchase the raw materials, in order to make the antenna, making it very cost effective.
They organised themselves into four teams, where they preceded to build components for a total of 30 antennas, assembled and tested to quite a good quality. Working from samples and drawings this was easily arranged and over the cause of two nights from 6pm to 9pm.
Seeing this workshop it is surprising that Air-Stream members haven’t done the same and so I suggest we start organising a workshop of our own. The question is what kind of antenna do members want to make. If we are organised, I feel any type of antenna could be made, however it should only be one type per workshop and I will need to have confirmed numbers before I organise such an event.
Choices could include in either 2.4 or 5.8Ghz :
Parabolic Grid
Slotted Waveguide
Collinear
Bi-quad
Yagi
Helix
Discone
Let me know in this forum, if your interested, what your choice would be and what nights/dates would suite such an event.
why not ?
this could be an interesting evening and if a few of "our" amateurs came along to impart their antenna knowledge it would be even better
Cougar
bi-quad
what about bi-quad or was that covered?
making antennas
this would be great
we could even make up enough to sell as wifi all in 1 kits to sell to people who dont want to figure it out for them self.
I would also be after a few for my self.
Cheers Seabird2k
Numbers and confirmed interest
I will need to have confirmed numbers before I organise such an event, but am very happy to do so once we have more than 10 people.
I have many of the designs already, so it is just a matter of what and when?
Times and dates
Late Mid November to mid December one night a week between the times 6pm to 9pm I feel taking between two or three workshops depending on project.
Costs
1) The cost for members who attend and participate would be the cost of materials only, which I can source at trade price.
2) non-finacial members would by 25% extra, but must attend and participate. (all profits going towards growing the network)
3) Orders to people who don't attend to be advised (TBA) but there would be a member and non-member price.
Number so far
So far I have 7 people who I could convince to come, any more? i'd like another 3 or 4 people.
Also I need to know what kind of antenna people would like?
So far I'm down to:
Slotted Waveguide - but what type Omni or Sector - 2.4Ghz
Collinear - Omni - 2.4Ghz
Direction Grid antenna a call for 5.8 backbone dishes but most members would like 2.4Ghz I guess we coul make both or maybe a dual - band :-)
Recon we should make more as a way of raising funds for AS
my preference
I would go more for the collinear omni thought the grid , from scratch would also be interesting.
Thes Slot waveguide sound like too much work with a drill and a file. If I was going to do it a milling machine would be the go
Im in but it depends on work etc if we get a date early enough in advance I could do something to secure it.
Cougar
Most homies use a router to
Most homies use a router to make the slots in the waveguide. I used a jigsaw and file for mine... took freakin ages!
BTW
The melrose factory (SA Wire Ware) has a Lathe, Mill, Mig, oxy and Spot Welders, Dill Presses, Cold Saws, tube and wire benders and plenty of space ect, ect. so anything is possible.
I just need to a design choice, once that is done, I'll build some jigs a prototype, ect.
Hence why I'd like confirmed numbers and interest, as this will require my time to setup and organise. If people are keen, I'm really happy to organise the event :-)
Is this still on the table?
Is this idea of an antenna construction project evening still on the table?
looks like about 7 interested, did we decide on an antenna to tackle?
Antenna
I can think of another three people interested so there should be ten What type of antenna?
I'd like to do a slotted waveguide, both sector and omni as this would require no extra design, what do others think?
slot waveguide
I think an slotted waveguide would be the best considering the access we would have to mills etc
I would personally like to do a Omni
Jacqui
Id be interested, sounds
Id be interested, sounds like a bit of fun and you get something useful out of it
I dont have a preference as to what sort of antenna was to be worked on
I'd be keen as well to take
I'd be keen as well to take part.
Count me in.
Trevor Marshal 16 Slot Wave Guide
Ok I suggest the construction of the Trevor Marshal 16 Slot Wave Guide with the option for either Sector or Omni.
I'll put together a Bill of materials, some prices for Tube, brakets, etc. Also start on some instructions, templates and a prototype.
I'm thinking early Jan 2006 on week nights, once a week, between 6 and 9pm, for about 4 nights to complete.
I would like to build extra for AS sites and for sale to raising funds for the AS group.
Members costs will be raw material only, but must help in production.
Suggestions and help organising very welcome.
If you wish to attend email me - robert @ air-stream dot org