I have done it, and It worked pretty well. My harness was an exact copy of the one in Chapter 7 of the 2nd edition of the "Satellite Experimenter's Handbook" by Martin Davidoff, K2UBC.
I have attached a picture which I am not sure will be passed by the reflector, but should make it to you.
The one shown has 2.4 GHz helix between the Yagis. Even though I used a non-conductive crossboom, and attached the antennas to it using plastic ty-wraps, I also avoided the crossboom 'hot spots' described by Kent Britain, WA5VJB here: http://www.kk0sd.net/metalboom/metalboom.htm
I have no idea how circular the patterns really were, but the system consistently outperformed a single Arrow antenna.
The harness was set up for RHCP and used RG-6 and LMR-240 UF coax.
I did not use the diplexers, and I did not attempt any switching arrangements.
I replaced that setup with the Gulf-Alpha dual band satellite Yagi. That thing was a dream, and one of the dumbest things I have done (and I have done a lot of them) was part with that Gulf-Alpha. If someone wants to sell a Gulf-Alpha please let me know!!!
73 and Good Luck, Joe kk0sd
From: [email protected]mailto:[email protected] <[email protected]mailto:[email protected]> Sent: Saturday, May 29, 2021 3:00 PM To: 'AMSAT BB' <[email protected]mailto:[email protected]> Subject: [AMSAT-BB] Arrow Stacking? Technical Advice needed.
All,
I happen to have a pair of the Arrow II handheld SAT antennas available. I wish to use them as a pair set up in crossed polarization. To those who have messed around with various light antenna combinations and have used a pair of Arrows, please let me know your experiences what worked and what did not. Since each antenna has a single 2m and 70cm yagi on it, connecting the 2 element sets will be a little more challenging than one would find for a single band crossed polarized yagi.
Obviously one will be set with the 2m elements vert, the other horizontal. So: How have you connected them? What transmission line harness lengths did you use? Was RH or LH polarization a consideration? Was you experiment a satisfactory arrangement?
I am going to take the stock 10W diplexers out of line and use something a little more robust to prevent desense and handle more than 10W.
I am really not interested in hearing about other antennas... I don't need to be persuaded or dissuaded to do anything else. I have currently have limited resources to put into this, so jumping off the deep end and buying an M2 Leo kit (or even a "crushcraft" pair) is not in the cards.
Thanks in advance for sharing your experience.
Jack Spitznagel - KD4IZ Assistant Editor - AMSAT News Service Cell: (410) 207-5123 [email protected]mailto:[email protected]