Hi,
I received tons of INFO and advises, thanks to all, especially to NP2X,
KM5VI and K5GO.
My 204BA is already on the tower since past Sunday.
SWR is 1.08: 1 on 14090,
with 1,38:1 on 14000 and 2.0:1 on 14350.
Obvious shift to the lower part of the band, but I have no time to "fine
tune" it now, maybe next summer. Need to address other issues before it
gets cold.
I operate mostly CW anyways.
Thanks again,
73, Yuri VE3DZ
On 9/8/2024 11:55 PM, maflukey@gmail.com wrote:
P.P.S One more thought, or remembrance... With the optimized element
spacing, the antenna will not be weight balanced and will be "tail heavy".
You will need to add some weight to the director end of the boom to
rebalance it. On my optimized 204s, I place 12.5 of 1" schedule 40
galvanized steel pipe inside of 12.5" of 1.25" schedule 40 PVC pipe and then
slide it inside of the end of the boom, drill all the way through the entire
assembly, and use a #10 stainless steel machine screw and nut to hold it in
place. The PVC pipe dielectrically insulates the galvanized pipe to keep
it from having a corrosive reaction with the aluminum boom. If you want to
take some other approach, you will need about 2 lbs or a little more at the
end of the boom to balance it out.
73 again,
Matt
KM5VI
-----Original Message-----
From: maflukey@gmail.com <maflukey@gmail.com>
Sent: Sunday, September 8, 2024 10:42 PM
To: 'Yuri' <ve3dz@rigexpert.net>; towertalk@contesting.com
Subject: RE: [TowerTalk] HyGain 204BA mod
P.S. - Yes use the original hairpin spacing. All the 204's I have seen
have beta match angled rods at the feed end. Other Hy-Gain monobanders
have straight rods. Be sure you are using the correct rods. Lenth
required is generally about 14" to 15" .
Matt
KM5VI
-----Original Message-----
From: maflukey@gmail.com <maflukey@gmail.com>
Sent: Sunday, September 8, 2024 10:35 PM
To: 'Yuri' <ve3dz@rigexpert.net>; towertalk@contesting.com
Subject: RE: [TowerTalk] HyGain 204BA mod
Step 1: Adjust the driven element length to center the SWR across your
desired bandwidth. I.E. adjust to make the SWR the same at the bottom and
top of your desired bandwidth.
Step 2: Adjust the harpin length to minimize the SWR at the midpoint
frequency of your desired bandwidth.
Step 3: Recheck the SWR across the desired bandwidth but it should be good
to go. Tweak if required.
Also be sure to note that the lengths in the BV204CA file are from the
centerline of the boom. The element bracket length in the BV204CA file is
2.95 whereas the actual bracket lengths are longer - so be sure to correct
your measurements relative to the centerline of the boom. Also, BV204CA
file shows DIR 1 at 157" which conflicts with the boom joining bracket.
Position needs to be shifted forward to clear the bracket which will change
the element length somewhat.
Hope this info helps & GL.
73
Matt
KM5VI
-----Original Message-----
From: TowerTalk <towertalk-bounces@contesting.com> On Behalf Of Yuri
Sent: Friday, September 6, 2024 1:22 PM
To: towertalk@contesting.com
Subject: [TowerTalk] HyGain 204BA mod
Hello,
I recently modified my old 204BA using the BV204CA file (YW, Yagi for
Windows by N6BV) from the ARRL Antenna Book.
I moved Driven Element and Director 1, changed the element tip lengths where
necessary and changed Hairpin match length according calculations.
According to the computer model the calculated SWR is 1.09:1 on the resonant
frequency of 14175, and 1.40:1 on the edges: 14000 and 14350 at the 80'
height.
Hairpin spacing that used is 12 inches (different from the original one,
which was 6 inches).
In reality, I have SWR of 1.05:1 on 14090, which appears to be my new
resonant FREQ now, and 1.6:1 on 14000 with 2.6 on 14350.
Why is it so narrow?
What am I doing wrong? Should I use original hairpin rod spacing of 6"?
Old variant of this antenna was wider (better broadband) Any advise would be
greatly appreciated.
--
73, Yuri VE3DZ
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