can you make a simple antenna to replace the "reel" type that comes with the yachtboy400?
 

im all ears to save a few dollars and be more self-reliant. besides,
the local radio shark doesnt have much.

Sure...a piece of wire will do wonders. Does the 400 have an antenna
jack on the side? If so just connect buy it's male counterpart at
Radio Shack, hook it up and you are set.

Radio Shack also sells an antenna-on-a-reel with a connector that snaps
on to the antenna mast.

wrote:
im all ears to save a few dollars and be more self-reliant. besides,
the local radio shark doesnt have much.

The reel antenna is simply coated wire wound on a spool - there's noting
special about it and any wire will work as an antenna.

If your radio has a plug on the side for 'external antenna' then hook up a
piece of wire (the longer the better) to an appropriate sized plug and
you're all set...

If your radio doesn't have an external connector jack, just hook up the wire
to a small alligator clip and clip it onto the whip antenna of the radio...

Pick up a book at the local library - antennas are easy (and fun) to play
around with - save your money...

John

wrote in message
ups.com...
im all ears to save a few dollars and be more self-reliant. besides,
the local radio shark doesnt have much.

On 27 Jul 2005 11:07:48 -0700, wrote:

im all ears to save a few dollars and be more self-reliant. besides,
the local radio shark doesnt have much.

Get a set of light duty test leads and an 1/8 inch plug (solder type,
plastic shell-probably in the big steel drawer.) You can daisy chain
the clipleads until you can reach a curtain rod or something. Or just
clip them all together.

BLG,

There is a guy that has been on the list from time to time that everyone
gets mad at because of a little antenna that he makes. He make a very nice
yo-yo antenna and a double Yo-Yo that work very well, I have used it all
over the world.

Maybe someone can add his name and email address. I think he made the Tini
Tina.

Burr


wrote in message
ups.com...
im all ears to save a few dollars and be more self-reliant. besides,
the local radio shark doesnt have much.

Here you go

http://www.qth.com/dwm/tinytenna.htm


Nice guy, very smart.


wrote in message
ups.com...
im all ears to save a few dollars and be more self-reliant. besides,
the local radio shark doesnt have much.

On 30 Jul 2005 12:44:22 GMT, "-=jd=-"
wrote:

im all ears to save a few dollars and be more self-reliant. besides,
the local radio shark doesnt have much.


As much wire as you can; as high as you can.

I seem to recall reading about an antenna made up of a coax cable
shorted to itself at one end, and only the center feed going into the
radio at the other.
The interesting thing about this antenna is, it is placed on the
ground.


==========
"Being diabetic is alot like having an un-invited
guest at a picnic, who keeps pointing out the potato
salad may have gone bad."--W.B. Willis

On Sat, 30 Jul 2005 13:47:35 GMT, "Burr" wrote:

Here you go

http://www.qth.com/dwm/tinytenna.htm


Nice guy, very smart.


wrote in message
oups.com...
im all ears to save a few dollars and be more self-reliant. besides,
the local radio shark doesnt have much.



I've got a book around here someplace in which the author suggests
using a chalk line (unused) loaded with wire.
It seems one could get quite a bit wire on one of those things.

==========
"Being diabetic is alot like having an un-invited
guest at a picnic, who keeps pointing out the potato
salad may have gone bad."--W.B. Willis

yachtboy! wrote:
On 30 Jul 2005 12:44:22 GMT, "-=jd=-"
wrote:


im all ears to save a few dollars and be more self-reliant. besides,
the local radio shark doesnt have much.


As much wire as you can; as high as you can.


I seem to recall reading about an antenna made up of a coax cable
shorted to itself at one end, and only the center feed going into the
radio at the other.
The interesting thing about this antenna is, it is placed on the
ground.



Yup, called the "snake antenna" and many claim excellent results
with it (I've never tried it). I don't know what the optimum length (if
one) is suposed to be.

Tony

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