Slinky-Coil Dipole (2021)

nonstopsystems.com

46 points·rolph··9 comments

I am endlessly amazed to discover new interests and professions that people have. There are endless professions and sub-professions and it is simply amazing that some people will always be attracted to each and every one of them.

The Slinky antenna goes back to at least the 1970s.[1]

It's not just a dipole. The helical coils give it a much longer effective length than a straight wire.

Some preppers are into Slinky antennas. Compact in storage, easy to set up, reusable.

[1] https://www.kb6nu.com/the-slinky-antenna/

I did this back in the 1980s in my parents attic, it actually worked on 40 and 15 meters despite the relatively close electrical conduits going to the ceiling lights.

You're way better off having a proper dipole outdoors if you can do so.

agreed, outside proper dipole is best generally.

what i like bout the slinky, is the quick set, and strike down.

i had recalled radio operators in vietnam kludgeing these up in the bush, after getting a couple slinkys in the mail, so i thought it was worth a cycle.

QuirkyQRP used to make the Slinktenna. I have used it for FT8

https://www.instagram.com/quirkyqrp/

This is just so hilarious, I love it. Reminds me of the bedsprings antenna.

But what can you do with it? Radio contact with the moon?

Despite being theoretically possible, much of the signal directed at the Moon would be absorbed in the upper atmosphere at this wavelength. On the other hand, the 10-40m bands are fantastic for long-range "earthly" communication (when the conditions are proper).

HF comms, continent to continent is possible via FT8

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