Testing reception with the copper tape antenna for PMR446
Vložit
- čas přidán 7. 09. 2024
- In this video I go out for a walk with a couple of handhelds for PMR446 (though I only really needed one, one was a backup) to see what the range was like for PMR446 on a copper tape antenna through a mostly urban environment.
It was more or less as I expected for PMR446 plus factoring in 3 adaptors, 3 PL259 plugs which are not rated for UHF despite the connector family often being called "UHF connector") and the antenna being stuck inside a double glazed window
I was originally going to use my RTL-SDR to do this but the shack computer has proven to be troublesome with it so I used my BNC-modified Intek DRS-5070 which was once used as a gateway for the Free Radio Network prior to me getting my foundation licence when I lived at the old QTH.
I specifically chose this radio as it is one of the few radios for PMR446 that incorporates an S-meter, the other one I know of being the Intek MT-5050 which was being used as the transmitting radio (the display in the MT-5050 and DRS-5070 is also used in the Intek Dolphin MR-8060 marine radio which used the same housing as the MT-5050 which may be why there is a signal meter on these), I have yet to come across any other legal PMR446 radios with an S-meter, I could have easily used my QYT KT-8900D as a receiver on PMR446 but I decided not to do this, and my DRS-5070 already had been modified to have a BNC on it which is a better connector than the SO239 found on the cheapy Chinese 2/70 radio.
#antenna #pmr446 #coppertape
Help support the channel, basic level for only £0.99 or early access for an extra £2.00:
/ @paulmcgeem0wnu
Hi Paul, great video. I've recently made a j pole for 446. It looks like a slim sireo cx 440. I made it with a stud mount and a 48cm whip with an alluminium tube shielding the first 16cms. It works surprisingly well with low swr on 446 and 70cms aswell 👍
Interesting, but with respect, PMR446 licence-free equipment is granted that status on the provision that the erp is limited and only the supplied aerial is used. Whilst I fully understand your desire to experiment with this band and equipment, you will get very similar results for the 70cms band which is of course within the Amateur Licence remit.
I am also licened as a G0.
I draw your attention to page 6 of this document www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0025/85156/ir_2009_analogue_and_digita1.pdf.
I also draw your attention to the fact that this video was solely on reception testing, NOT a transmit test, this same antenna could easily be connected to a suitable SDR receiver, from what I understand a receiver does not need to meet the approval of the band it is being used on as it is not transmitting, yes the radio used here is capable of transmit but this was not the point of the video at all
@@PaulMcGeeM0WNU All noted and thanks for the link to the document.
Yes I fully understand about you using the aerial for receive only, but do you really believe that other won't use similar "experiments" to increase the ERP of their transmitters thereby making them non-compliant?
@@125brat I know people will try that yes, and that is their choice to do, I am not here to stop them
Hi Paul, great video just for the walk. Could suggest placing the antenna on the outside. The reason in double glazing has a gas which reflects and dumbs down frequencies, giving poor reception. Also the aluminium framing can effect it. Worth a shot.
Might be worth a go, and it would be easy to get it on the outside as that window opens inwards