VE1FA cable yagi on 144 MHz
One of the goals of VHF radio amateurs is to cross the Atlantic. While on most HF bands this is commonplace, so on VHF it is only possible with the use of EME communication or satellite.
For this purpose, a group of radio amateurs built an experimental station VC1T in Pouch Cove (a city in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador, which is closest to the shores of Europe). Indeed, their goal was achieved on July 6 2014, when their signal was picked up by John, G4SWX, at a distance 3840 kilometers. However, the investigation revealed, that this was probably a reflection in this case as well, from the International Space Station (ISS).
The VC1T players could smell victory in the air. For this purpose, they decided to make cable yagi antenna on 144 MHz. The antenna has 66 meters, but load - bearing cables and 41 directors have a weight only 0,73 kilograms. Weight is an important factor in rope yagi because higher weight requires more tension.
In the article http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Antenna%20Book%20Supplemental%20Files/23rd%20Edition/Archibald%20VE1FA%20-%20Ultra%20Light%20Yagi%20-%20March%202016%20TCA.pdf Fred, VE1FA, describes technical details. You may notice, that they used 2,38 mm thick Kevlar cable. Each director is fastened with four black cable ties and subsequently fixed with PU varnish. The method of tensioning with a double pulley system is also interesting. The antenna should have profit 26,0 dBi at a beam angle of 4.5 °.
This type of yagi antenna design is not exceptional. An example might be 43-element yagi VE7BQH or lanková yagi OK1FIG. EME enthusiasts are also experimenting with these antennas. You will try such a yagi too?
