Montana's Ham Radio Forum

This week we will quickly discuss the utility of the hand held 2M beam for ARES field operations. We will also go over the rules for a “Build a Beam Contest”. Like last years Roll Up J Pole project, this will be a great opportunity for members to create a useful radio tool for themselves and improve their amateur radio skills and knowledge in the process.

Along with the training synopsis, I am also attaching several files that contain popular designs for 2M hand beams. These are for your use if you find a design you like. I also encourage everyone to explore the HAM web sites which have a wealth of home brew designs and also look in the ARRL Antenna Handbook for ideas as well.

73’s/Rod/AE7JJ

Rod Jackson
ARES State Training Coordinator

Just a heads up - the Six-Element Triple-Drive FM Antenna (Radio Shack part number 15-2163) mentioned in one of the articles does not appear to be available anymore. A on-line search on the Radio Shack web site only turned up a copy of the original assembly manual. The QST magazine article that described how to modify it into a 2-meter beam antenna is from July 1999.

The antenna was intended for deep fringe reception of distant FM radio stations, so it was probably only stocked in Radio Shack stores in the western states. A few Radio Shack stores might still have one in the back store room, so it wouldn't hurt to ask them to check. Otherwise, keep a sharp eye out at the garage sales for one. It makes a great 2-meter beam antenna!