Double Bazooka Antenna

Have fun, enjoy the hobby, and upgrade!

Build your own double bazooka antenna with the following instructions

Measurements
length a to e= 460 into frequency (example 460 divided by 3.922=117.28 ft)

length b to d= 320 into frequency (example 320 divided by 3.922=81.59 ft)

feed line 57/ 87/ or 103 feet for optimum performance

Materials needed
rg8x (high power),rg58, or rg59
hot glue and hot glue gun
solder and soldering iron
pl 259 connector with proper adapter
empty small plastic container with lid
small nylon rope
plastic insulators if you want to get fancy

Getting started
#1. Measure length of dipole section and cut  117 feet 4 inches
#2. Find center exactly mark with electrical tape (point c see diagram)
#3. Determine length of point b to d and divide in half 81.59 / 2= 40 feet 9 inches
#4. Start at c and measure 40'9" and mark with tape both ways
      these will be your B and D measurements
#5. Cut length of feed line 57, 87, or 103 feet.

Antenna Surgery
#01. Take an empty frosting container  and remove lid
#02. Cut main container up one inch from bottom
#03. Drill 3 holes in side to accept rg8x coax at proper entry points
#04. Feed dipole section in one hole and out the other and leave point c inside
#05. Feed line should enter through remaining hole
#06. Remove 1 inch of vinyl at point C
#07. Carefully separate braid into two pieces do not disturb center connector
#08. Remove vinyl at end of feed line and prepare center and braid
#09. Solder center connector of feed line to one side of braid at C
#10. Solder braid of feed line to other side of braid at C
#11. Position connection inside frosting cup and completely fill with hot glue
#12. When still warm put lid in place and glue edges from back side
#13. Let completely cool then drill a hole in upper section for mounting
#14. Go to point B and remove one inch of vinyl
#15. Carefully open a small section of braid and pull center insulator up
#16. Remove insulation on center wire
#17. Reposition braid over center wire neatly and solder together
#18. Cover entire area with hot glue and let cool
#19. Repeat steps 14 through 18 at point D
#20 Solder together center and braid at points A and E
#21 Cover these points with hot glue and let cool

Mounting and tuning
#1. Take some strong small weather resistant rope and install it on each end by using half hitches in about a one foot area at the end dipole section at A and E also attach a small rope in the hole that you drilled in the frosting container.
#2. Install plastic insulators at end of rope
#3. Hang antenna up using strong rope and connect to radio and SWR meter
#4. Check SWR and determine resonate frequency (lowest SWR)
#5. If tuning is necessary lower longer/ higher shorter if SWR is flat at 3.895 then you need to remove equal length on each end and re-hang and check SWR. If SWR is flat at 3.945 then you need to lengthen the antenna. You can do this simply by soldering a length of standard dipole material to each end.

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This Page was created, January 22, 1997
Updated 9-03