Cobwebb 2 "Building The Antenna"

Picture Gallery Of Building Cobwebb 2 Back For my second attempt I followed the details as captured in a pdf file created by Steve Roberts (M0SJR). This file is an excellent source of information containing instructions and measurements for the cobwebb, click HERE to view the file or right click and select "save target as" to download. Components :4 x 3m fibreglass fishing poles, EBay (spratreader) 2 x 10" sqr aluminium plates, again scrounged via a friend Approx 6m of 1/4" aluminium box section, local stockist The rest of the 100m roll of 6A twin power lead, Maplins A strip of 30 amp choc block connectors, Screwfix Plastic box, Maplins. M6 SS bolts (55mm), washers and nuts, Screwfix Loads of cable ties, Screwfix 20 off hose clamps, Halfords PL259 chassis socket. In comparison to Cobwebb 1 this cost about the same to build as some of the items were left over from the first antenna. Again it was probably less than 50 in total, where else can you get this sort of antenna for such a small outlay. Construction The construction followed the basic steps as outlined in the pictures you can see if you follow the link above or click here. This time I concentrated first on building the elements and feed point rather than the mechanical construction.

Tapping Point

Element Length

T Match principle.

The T match induces inductance in the antenna which at resonance gives the antenna resistance plus inductive reactance. The reactance is tuned out by shortening the antenna to exhibit some capacative reactance. (resonance is achieved when Xl is equal to but opposite Xc). Through changing the position of the tapping point the correct value of radiation resistance can be achieved at the resonant point. In most cases this is required to be around 50 ohms to present a good match to the impedance of the coax feeder. The input impedance of the antenna increases as the tapping point distance from the centre is increased up to a maximum that occurs at about 40 60% of the element length, after this point the impedance decreases. I havent yet fully understood the relationship between the position of the tapping point, antenna length and final radiation resistance / reactance ( i.e. total impedance) but intend to conduct a few experiments in the future. Im sure theres lots of people out there who understand this better than me and if they can explain in laymans terms Id be very grateful.

e n e r a l L a y o u t D i m e n s i o n s

&
1854 I n

894

i m M

Band 10 12 15 17 20

Element Length mm / Side 2530 2910 3440 4400 5130

Tapping Point mm from Centre 1570 1800 2100 2300 2720

Loop back length, mm 75 55 80 80 125

Noted that the dimensions for the 17M elements seemed long. On assembly found that the elements when fixed to the spreaders at the dimensions above were in fact too long and crossed over each other. Adjusted the spacing to accommodate the full element length before tuning ( see comments ). Note that the element lengths above DO NOT include the loop back, this needs to added. Initial Readings

1064

e n s io n s M

1254

1474

Freq MHz 28.500 24.940 21.260 18.140 14.250

Radiation Resistance R 18 20 27 119 176

Reactance X 19 20 53 145 0

SWR 2.9 3.2 3.8 5 3.2

Low SWR Point 1.2 @ 28.000 1.2 @ 24.585 1.1 @ 20.870 1.2 @ 16.500 1.3 @ 14.025

Before tuning I undertook a series of experiments to understand the impact of changing the configuration of the element ends. Variables :1) 2) 3) 4) Changing the length of the element whilst maintaining the loop back length Changing the length of the loop back. Changing the gap between the 2 element ends. How tight the loop was folded back at the end of the element.

Results :Each change made seemed to have an impact on the resonant frequency with little or no effect on the R/X at resonance. The largest change was seen when I changed the length of the element itself. Reducing the length of the loop back increased the resonant frequency slightly, i.e. the same effect as shortening the element a bit. Reducing the gap between the element ends moved the resonant frequency lower, i.e. the same effect as lengthening the element. Tightening the loop at the end of the elements also increased the resonant frequency. With the above knowledge I could now fine tune the resonant frequency to match that desired. Tuning The initial readings and tuning were done using a MFJ 259 antenna analyser connected via 20M of RG58 coax. A 6 turn X 4 dia air core balun is incorporated at the feedpoint. The antenna was mounted on a short pole 5 from the ground.

A combination of adjustments were made utilising the information noted above to control the resonant frequency. Minor adjustments to element lengths and spacings were required and these are captured in the tables below. As suspected the elements on 17M were found to be significantly longer than required and 410mm was removed from each end to bring the element to resonance within the band. Unlike Cobwebb 1 the tuning on a particular band could be done independently with changes on one having very little or no overall effect on the other bands. Final Readings At 5 Foot
Freq MHz 28.500 24.940 21.260 18.140 14.250 Radiation Resistance R 52 41 45 57 59 Reactance X 11 7 5 0 14

SWR 1.2 1.2 1.1 1.1 1.3

Final Dimensions Distance From Centre Of Antenna To Element

Original Position, mm 894 1064 1254 1474 1854 Change, mm -20 -30 -50 -30 0 Final Position, mm 874 1034 1204 1444 1854

Band 10 12 15 17 20

Spacing And Loopback Length

Original Spacing At Ends, mm ? 210 200 280 310 Final Spacing, mm 70 130 No Change No Change 400 Original Loopback, mm 75 55 80 80 125 Final Loopback, mm 65 30 No Change No Change No Change

Band 10 12 15 17 20

Element Lengths

Band 10 12 15 17 20

Original Element Length, mm 2530 2910 3440 4400 5130

Change, mm -50 -60 -75 -410 -60

Final Length, mm 2480 2850 3365 3990 5070

Comment Too short adjusted by reducing spacing at element ends Too short adjusted by reducing spacing at element ends

The above dimensions are of course based on my experience and shouldnt be taken as definitive. Slight changes in the way you construct the feed point and balun could changes these. The most significant change worth noting is that seen on 17M, where I believe the original dimension for the element length to be incorrect. Back

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