I have a couple J-poles enclosed in PVC and they work just fine. I don't know the gain figures on them but I can say I compared one of them side by side with my old diamond X200 and couldn't tell the difference. Now I use that one on packet and at the same height as a diamond X50 on a radio my wife sometimes uses, I think the J-pole has a little edge, it's just made with ladder line in a PVC pipe. Someone used to sell them, I bought one of his then made the other myself. I'm not sure which I have up because they're identical and the other is sitting in the shed somewhere. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Neil k8it" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Tuesday, April 28, 2015 5:38 PM Subject: Re: plans for high gain 2m 70cm antenna > Well considering these comments about the diamond antennas what kind of > antenna can I build that will meeet these goals. > > 1. totally enclosed in pvc pipe > high gain - about 6dB on 2m and 8 to 9dB on 70cm > length less than 12 feet long > a jpole creates a pvc covering issue for the first two foot or so where > the > j is located > > > -------------------------------------------------- > From: "John Miller" <[log in to unmask]> > Sent: Tuesday, April 28, 2015 4:54 PM > To: <[log in to unmask]> > Subject: Re: plans for high gain 2m 70cm antenna > >> I've pulled a couple of them apart as well, let's put it this way, I'll >> gladly build my antennas. J-poles, dipoles, easy verticals and even on up >> to >> I want to build a hex beam someday just so I can say I did. I've rebuilt >> my >> 2 meter beam and have full confidence I could build my next one from >> scratch >> and even make changes to make it go to 70 CM, 900 MHz, 220, maybe even 6 >> meters or all the way down to 20. The X200 and I assume the 300 is the >> same, >> is a pretty complex antenna in all the coils and what not and having seen >> that I'm not sure how they work as well as they do without much if any >> trouble. I wouldn't want to build one. >> ----- Original Message ----- >> From: "Colin McDonald" <[log in to unmask]> >> To: <[log in to unmask]> >> Sent: Tuesday, April 28, 2015 4:33 PM >> Subject: Re: plans for high gain 2m 70cm antenna >> >> >>> I've pulled a couple of these apart. >>> There are multiple matching coils, loading coils and various element >>> arrangements all the way up the antenna. >>> It's not a simple thing to build. >>> far easier to build a yaggie or quad for those bands. >>> I expect it would also be more expensive to build something like the >>> x200/300 as well than it is to buy one. >>> >>> 73 >>> Colin, V A6BKX >>> -----Original Message----- >>> From: Neil k8it >>> Sent: Tuesday, April 28, 2015 2:24 PM >>> To: [log in to unmask] >>> Subject: Re: plans for high gain 2m 70cm antenna >>> >>> I have been thinking of building a base station 2m and 70cm antenna. I >>> like >>> the diamond x-200a or x-300a designs but would like to try building one >>> myself. the antennas are rated at 6 to 6.5 dB on 2m and 8 to 9.5 dB on >>> 70cm. >>> But does anybody have dimensions of this type of antenna? I found >>> several >>> J-pole designs but no 5/8 wave collinear designs with radials similar to >>> the >>> Diamond x-200A or x-300A antennas. >>> Anybody have any thoughts? >>> >>> Would a 8 foot center element (two 5/8 waves in series simply work? >>> would >>> it >>> match to 50 ohm coax? will it match on 70cm? >>> >>> thanks >>> 73 Neil k8it >> >> >> ----- >> No virus found in this message. >> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com >> Version: 2015.0.5863 / Virus Database: 4339/9648 - Release Date: 04/28/15 >>