Umbrella Antenna.

[KA5PIU]

Hello.

I have several Umbrella Antennas, umbrellas that have been adapted to work as antennas.
The trouble sometimes is finding the right umbrella.
Well, this one works nice but is a bit pricey.
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/w...ayErrorView_N#
The ones that have the silver lining are the best as the silver acts as an RF reflector.
Finding an umbrella with a torn fabric but otherwise fine is always an option, simply replace the fabric.
Carbon fiber fabric or silver impregnated fiber will work, the same stuff used for TASER proof clothing.
An antenna can be mounted on the tip, providing a elevated feed for your talkie.
An/or you can place a dipole at the focal point and use it as a parabolic dish, it is all good.
At least this gives you an idea of what kind of umbrella is preferred.

[NQ6U]

[NA4BH]

Hello.

I have several Umbrella Antennas, umbrellas that have been adapted to work as antennas.
The trouble sometimes is finding the right umbrella.
Well, this one works nice but is a bit pricey.
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/w...ayErrorView_N#
The ones that have the silver lining are the best as the silver acts as an RF reflector.
Finding an umbrella with a torn fabric but otherwise fine is always an option, simply replace the fabric.
Carbon fiber fabric or silver impregnated fiber will work, the same stuff used for TASER proof clothing.
An antenna can be mounted on the tip, providing a elevated feed for your talkie.
An/or you can place a dipole at the focal point and use it as a parabolic dish, it is all good.
At least this gives you an idea of what kind of umbrella is preferred.

I've heard about those. What I have read is that you need to go through the umbrella and remove all nylon/plastic parts and solder the joints. It really concentrates the signal.

[kb2vxa]

Just because it looks like an umbrella or is made from one doesn't say it's an umbrella antenna.

[K7SGJ]

I womder if Mary Poppins was a ham?

[KA5PIU]

Hello.

Mary Poppins was a master of the airwaves, that chick could fly!
If the umbrella is of non conductive fabric construction and you plan on using the ribs and perhaps the shaft for the ground plane, yes, properly grounded metal is solution.
But some umbrellas come with a UV liner.
http://www.coolibar.com/04106.html
This is not only good for UV protection, it makes an excellent RF reflector.
I think that an umbrella with the silver looks a bit geek but it is whatever makes you happy.
The umbrellas that were common on heavy equipment make excellent antenna mounts for anything above about 40 MHz, more so than a simple flat surface, as this is part of a discone antenna, and the fact that there are no folding joints and the overall size helps.
Remember, you can work the entire 6 meter band with a large umbrella antenna.
A golf sized umbrella antenna with a dual band element in the monopole configuration will be flat across all of 2 meters and do at least a 15 MHz spread across 440 that is flat.
I like something that is cheap and useful so I would not buy the expensive antennas I have referred to, this is to give you an idea of what is good and easy to work with.

[NA4BH]

Yeah but if you do it like that you get resonant blurring of the primary wave. You'd be all over the place.

[NQ6U]

Here's my umbrella antenna for 40m:

[N7RJD]

I've heard about those. What I have read is that you need to go through the umbrella and remove all nylon/plastic parts and solder the joints. It really concentrates the signal.

Don't forget the super glue and tin foil.

[w6tmi]

I've heard they have some pretty advanced science, and make some amazing... Things..

Umbrella_Corporation_v1_0_0_by_GrungeStyle.jpg