[PACKET_07_COM]: THE EMERGENCY DIPOLE ANTENNA OBJECTIVE: Fabricate a resonant antenna from scrap wire to extend radio range. I. THE CALCULATION (THE "MAGIC" NUMBER) To find the length of your antenna, you must know the frequency (MHz). Formula: 468 / Frequency (MHz) = Total Length in feet. The "Cheat" List: MURS / 2-Meter (VHF): 144 MHz -> ~3.25 feet (39 inches) GMRS / UHF: 462 MHz -> ~1 foot (12 inches) FM Broadcast: 100 MHz -> ~4.6 feet (56 inches) II. COMPONENTS Wire: Any copper or aluminum wire (speaker wire, electrical, or coat hangers). Lead-in: Coaxial cable (RG-58 or similar) to connect to the radio. Insulators: Plastic bottle caps, PVC scrap, or dry wood. III. ASSEMBLY (THE "T" SHAPE) Cut the Wire: Take your "Total Length" and cut it into two equal pieces. The Center: Secure the two pieces to an insulator so they do not touch. Connection: Connect the Center Core of your coax to Wire 1. Connect the Outer Shield (Mesh) of your coax to Wire 2. Deployment: Hang the antenna horizontally or vertically, as high as possible. IV. ASCII SCHEMATIC Plaintext [ ANTENNA DEPLOYMENT ] (Insulator) (Center Insulator) (Insulator) [O]----------------------[O]----------------------[O] ^ WIRE 1 | WIRE 2 ^ (Tie to tree) | (Tie to tree) | [COAX CABLE] | | [TO RADIO] NOTE: Keep wire away from metal structures for best signal. V. SIGNAL PRIORITY LIST (USA) 162.400 - 162.550 MHz: NOAA Weather Radio (Continuous info). 155.000 - 156.000 MHz: Local Emergency / EMS. 462.562 - 462.725 MHz: GMRS/FRS (Local civilian chatter). [ END OF PACKET // ARCHIVE_REF: 07-COM-ANT-REV1 ] ------------------------------------------------------------ [ END OF PACKET // ARCHIVE_REF: 0#- ]