Launching the G5RV Multi-Band Antenna

A few weekends ago, my good friend and fellow American Partisan Writer JohnyMac swung by my house for a night to help me get up my Multiband G5RV amateur radio antenna as well as my VHF Yagi antenna. I documented the process, including the supplies, so that you could follow along. This article will deal with the HF antenna, with a follow-up article showcasing the Yagi VHF antenna.

After a great Friday night meal consisting of a plate of brochette with mozzarella and pesto, steak with lump crab meat, asparagus and a few bottles of wine, we hit the sack.

A delicious meal thanks to the XYL! I always get spoiled at Johny’s so we had to return the favor.

Early on Saturday, we set out to get the G5RV up and running. We originally were aiming for a horizontal dipole antenna, but given the number of tree branches in the backyard, we settled on an inverted ‘V’ antenna setup.

The rationale behind this is that the G5RV that I had purchased comes with non-insulated wires. If a tree branch touches it, the signal could be affected. You could, in theory, shrink wrap tube the entire length of the antenna to protect against that. We did not, but I added the shrink wrap and a heat gun to the supply list as optional purchases. In the near future, Johny is going to help me build my own multiband antenna using insulated wire. He wrote about one, titled Building an Affordable, High-Quality, Multi-Band Antenna, back in December that I would like to try. Tree branches and or leaves will not be an issue then, because the wires would be insulated.

Supplies for HF

1 – G5RV Antenna

2 – OD Green 1/4″ x 100′ 16-Strand Diamond Braid Utility Rope

2 – Orange 100′ 550 Paracord (color is up to you, but I kept it bright as it will be closer to the ground as the tie down.

2 – Plastic Stakes

1 – Self Adhesive Silicone Tape

1 – RG8u Coax Cable with PL259s Attached, 100′

1 – Throw Weight (alternatively, you can build the antenna launcher that we used as a separate project – the link to those plans, courtesy of JohnyMac, will be linked under Tools)

Shrink Wrap Tubing (enough for 102′)

1 – Heat Gun

Tools Needed for HF

1 – PAAL (Pneumatic Atomic Antenna Launcher)

1 – Knife/Scissors

1 – Wooden/Plastic Mallet

The Process

We first unpacked the antenna and laid it out. It has the insulated antenna coming out of either side and a ladder line coming down from the center. This is where the RG8u coax connects to the antenna, which then runs to the radio. We then chose the tree best suited for the “apex” of the inverted ‘V’ antenna, being careful to choose the path that had the lower amount of foliage. Using the PAAL, Johny launched the fishing line and attached “mortar shell” over the tree branch at about 40-feet. While I held the launcher, he attached the braided utility rope to the bitter end of the fishing line and I reeled the fishing line then rope over the branch.  Once that accomplished the braided utility rope was attached to the center of the antenna and hoisted part way up. At that point the coax was attached to the end of the ladder line and the connection was sealed with self adhesive silicon tape.

Once the connection made between the coax and antenna the antenna was hoisted the rest of the way to about one foot under the antenna supporting branch. The bitter end was then secured to a near-by tree.

From there, we attached the paracord to the insulators at the end of the antenna and tied them off. The key here is to make sure the end of the antenna where the insulators are located, are approximately 10 to 12 feet off the ground. On one end, we tied the paracord off to a nearby tree. The other side had no real suitable trees, however, so we tied it to a Shepard’s Hook and then took the excess and staked it into the ground. We then ran the coax into the Ham Shack.

Tuning and Testing the Antenna

After getting the antenna hoisted, we retreated into the Ham Shack to tune the radio, which is an ICOM 735. While you can do this using the tuner itself (mine is a MFJ Versa Tuner II), Johny had brought his MJF-antenna analyzer to use instead. We then tuned the antenna on the 20 meter, 40 meter, and 80 meter bands. The goal is to get an SWR of 1.0 and get as close as possible to an R (Resistive) = 50 and an X (Reactive) = 0 on each band. To do so using the Versa Tuner II, you first adjust the Inductor dial. Then, you use the Transmitter and Antenna dials, respectively, to fine tune the numbers.

We did this for several different frequencies through each band because we were building an Antenna DOPE book. Basically, it would contain the settings for a variety of frequencies on each band so that I could quickly move between bands or frequencies within a band and know what I had to “DOPE” my tuner to (much like with a DOPE book for shooting). In this case, we managed to get all three numbers perfectly throughout all of the frequencies.

Because I do not have my license yet (queue JohnyMac giving me a hard time about that), Johny jumped on and was able to make contacts in Florida, New Jersey, and Kansas. Success! About a week or so later, I hopped on the radio to monitor a net that Johny also monitors. The goal was to see if I could hear him and hear the net. Sure enough, he came through as if he was sitting next to me, and the Net Control operator came through clear as well (along with other check-ins).

Now, I have the bug to get my ‘ticket’ so I can jump in and continue my education on amateur radio; Hopefully, I can get my Technicians and then quickly followed to get my General ticket as Johny is making noises of starting up the ERIN (Eastern Region Information Network) net once again.

Look for Part Two of this article on the VHF antenna!

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About the Author: Patriotman

Patriotman currently ekes out a survivalist lifestyle in a suburban northeastern state as best as he can. He has varied experience in political science, public policy, biological sciences, and higher education. Proudly Catholic and an Eagle Scout, he has no military experience and thus offers a relatable perspective for the average suburban prepper who is preparing for troubled times on the horizon with less than ideal teams and in less than ideal locations. Brushbeater Store Page: http://bit.ly/BrushbeaterStore

17 Comments

  1. Luke September 21, 2020 at 12:10

    Impressive range heard Bracken talk about getting a handheld on his weekend podcast. That’s on my list. Don’t have the know how to pull this off. Sounds like base command is up and functional lol.

    • Patriotman September 21, 2020 at 12:31

      Hah, indeed it is. Feel free to ask any questions on the site or via email. We hope that the articles themselves provide some good steps to follow!

  2. Johnny Paratrooper September 21, 2020 at 13:25

    Now is the time to install Comms Equipment, Build Fighting Positions, and Dig Water Wells.

    Have fun doing weeks worth of work(For one man) and troubleshooting while people are hunting you like a common yard pony(Deer).

    This type of work in the Army, having the manpower of hundreds, still takes days to accomplish. You should start now.

    PCCs and PCIs now. No excuses. Great Article Guys. Currently getting the quick and dirty on this daily. Radios and Area studies are my largest weakness. I am purchasing a half dozen books on this subject every other paycheck. Including more, and more, food.

    And, happily, I am cursed with a new friend or family member waking up to our future every other week. Their answer is the “I’m coming to your house”. The answer is “no stay in your AO… But I am here to talk you through this”.

  3. Quietus September 21, 2020 at 14:40

    Good article.

    It’s real nice that you, unlicensed, went to the trouble of getting a rig set up as a first thing. Most people don’t. Listening, is where the learning starts. Not by putting a brand new license to work. Your example is a good one for people to follow.

    It was said to me, and I repeat it, that you don’t want to go into the testing room not ready to come out with a General ticket. The knowledge base overlap between Tech and General is about 40% IMO (and I’ve heard a higher percentage.) With just a bit more studying (or online cramming of the tests, concentrating only on learning the right answer), passing the General test comes close to being a gimmee.

  4. Chris September 21, 2020 at 15:19

    Don’t sweat the insulation on the wires. For one thing, you’re dealing with RF not DC. Wet leaves will have much the same effect on thinly insulated wire as they will with bare wire. And the wet leaves don’t even have to touch the wire to effect the RF. But at HF the effects will be small – most HF communications will not be go/no go due to a few dB difference. Best plan – find a way to support the radiators and feed line a few feet away from the leaves.

  5. Badger September 22, 2020 at 10:49

    Re-read Quietus’ paragraph 2 & take that to heart. Just do it. Trust me, those examiners live for being able to see someone walking out with multiple tickets in a single session. Pass Tech, nerves switched to OFF, go to restroom, have a donut (from the ones you briought for the examiners) and then sit down and pass the General.

    NIce job getting the wire up and picking a good antenna partner. Did you just wind coax for your choke, or use something else?

    • johnyMac September 22, 2020 at 12:22

      Badger, I will answer the choke question. We did not use a choke – It wasn’t needed. I have used 3-4 six inch wrap chokes on Windom antennas I have built though. Basically it is trial and error till you get the SWR correct.

      You are 100% correct, take the tech then have a break then take the General. When folks do this about 75% of the folks walk away with both tickets.

      73 & God Bless Brother

      • 71M September 23, 2020 at 11:16

        JM:

        Love the article. Will save for reference material.

        Doing precisely as you suggested. Took the Tech test last Sunday at local church, received a 100%. Received FCC Tech License today – KO4XXX… quite a mouthful compared to my aircraft tail number.

        At urging, I attempted General test at the same time. I knew I was NOT prepared. After 20 questions I knew I was MOST definitely not prepared. So I stopped.

        While Tech test material is fresh in my mind, I am currently reading and studying for General Test

        Now to figure out a mobile/portable, reasonably good fixed system for use w/General License in mind. I like leaning to smoothing similar to Yaesu 857D which isn’t produced and Icom as I use such in aviation.

        Most urgently is the need to know, now, which “situations net”, band, freq, times that I can monitor as the Left/ABR presses for civil war and Madmax scenario.

        On the farm in Southern Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.

        Appreciate any system(s) that you may rec.

        Respectfully from an old GI, Viet-Nam 68-69

        73, Dave

        • johnyMac September 23, 2020 at 11:33

          71M, AWESOME Brother!!!Congratulations man.

          In October I will be starting up a weekly Pre-Election net. As we get closer to the election we might go to several days a week. I will post the SOI (Signal Operation Instructions) and PACE (Primary Alternate Contingency Emergency) over at Unchainedpreppers.com in the Radio Board. I will give you the secret signal when it is posted. By the way, you do not have to be a member of UP to get the info.

          Even if you do not have your General you can listen. The Yaesu 857D is a good radio. Also, check out the Icom 718 and 735 as you can find either in the $200 – $300 range. One of my backup HF rigs is a Icom 735.

          Viet-Nam huh? My draft # was high enough in the last year of the war that Uncle Sam did not tap me on the shoulder. LOL. Thanks for your service Brother.

          I hope you do not mind however, I altered your new call a bit for PERSEC. I don’t want any Antifa, BurnLootMurder or ABR folks to look ya’ up on one of the many ham radio interwize sites and find out your AO.

          73 & God Bless Brother

          • 71M September 23, 2020 at 22:15

            JohnyMac:

            Oops, wasn’t thinking well to have posted the comm ticket in full. Thanks for the XXX.

            Will look at the Icom series.

            Was in USAF as a Sgt. Involved with the Ops of FAC (Fwd Air Control) Cessnas, Close Air Support Cessnas , C-47 Spookys, and the C-123 Ranch Hands (defoliant sprayers). Agent Orange wasn’t the only chemistry sprayed. Back in the states my last year or so was at Langley in ADC. Seems like a million years ago and just last year.

            I stuck with light Cessna’s as I like high wing & full observation of terrain/situation below. My 1970’s Aerobat, gives much relaxation just to get in the pilots seat and smell the machine. Beautiful planet we live on…from a few thousand feet up and away from the insanity on the surface…Ha!

            If there is a way to PM me when you have resumed your ERIN or kick start of the Oct net, please do.

            73 & watch your 6. Respectfully

  6. Anonymous September 22, 2020 at 13:51

    1

  7. Homer September 22, 2020 at 18:25

    Just an observation. The pic of the radio set to the 40m band is on usb. Needs to be on lsb in case you didn’t know. Take care. Homer

    • johnyMac September 22, 2020 at 18:46

      Homer, oh my Lord we didn’t know. Thank heavens you are there for ‘tucking’ Patriotman and I in. You do realize it is a pic for the article. Look at the headline photo, is that correct? Gee willikers brother get a life.

      73 & God Bless

      • Homer September 22, 2020 at 20:26

        Since he is a new operator I was just making sure he knew the difference. Nothing more. Have a nice evening.

        • johnyMac September 22, 2020 at 22:47

          LOL Homer…I know. Just having some fun at the expense of your post. Love ya’ man.

          73 & God Bless

  8. Anonymous September 25, 2020 at 19:21

    5

  9. PartisanMD September 25, 2020 at 21:57

    Great write up. Looking at VOACAP, looks like we could communicate pretty reliably on 40-60m between you and central NC. Unsolicited advice re: getting your licenses: don’t feel bad about treating the test as an obstacle to be overcome by any means necessary. The Elmers hate it, but I crammed specifically to pass the exams using this book series:
    https://read.amazon.com/kp/embed?asin=B079S3LJ8B&preview=newtab&linkCode=kpe&ref_=cm_sw_r_kb_dp_R8PBFb4Q7S8M9

    It teaches you ONLY the correct answer to every question in the test bank (there aren’t that many questions, even at the general and extra levels.) I used them to pass first my technician and then my general and extra license exams together in about a six month period.

    Then, with licenses in hand, pick up your ARRL handbook and get after it. It was great meeting you at the Scout course. I expect our paths will cross again soon.

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