How to build a 5.8GHz Helical Antenna

How to build a 5.8GHz Helical Antenna

Introduction

A helical antenna consists of a conducting wire wound in the form of a helix mounted on a reflector (Figure 1).

The two key advantages to this design are circular polarization and high gain. In simple terms this means you can bank your plane without losing image and you can fly a long way away. The following instructions will help you construct just such an antenna.

Please check out forum for complete instructions.

Parts List

Tools Required

• Bench Drill
• Hacksaw
• Side Cutters
• Soldering Iron
• Stanley Knife

Miscellaneous

• 15mm Ø Dowel

Build

Step 1: Print Guides PDF

1. Print out Guides PDF and cut out Forma and Reflector Templates marked in blue.

Step 2: Construct coil

1. Attach Forma Template to 15mm Ø Dowel.
2. Wrap 1/16in Copper Round around 15mm Ø Dowel marked in black to form coil.
3. Using a pair of side cutters, cut where indicated (Figure 2).

Step 3: Construct Reflector

1. Using a hacksaw, cut a 50mm x 50mm square from Blank Fibreglass Printed Circuit Board.
2. Attach Reflector Template to 50mm x 50mm square.
3. Using a bench drill, drill 1.5mm holes marked in green and a 3mm hole marked in red.

Step 4: Solder SMA Reverse PCB-Plug to Reflector

1. Remove Reflector Template and insert SMA Reverse PCB–Plug into rear of reflector (Figure 4).

1. Using a soldering iron, solder pins where indicated (Figure 5).

Step 5: Construct Wavetrap

1. Using a Stanley Knife, cut a 3.2mm x 6.4mm rectangle from Copper Sheet.
2. Using a soldering iron, solder rectangle to coil where indicated (Figure6).

1. Using a soldering iron, solder coil to remaining pin where indicated (Figure7).

You’re good to go!

Thank God for IB Crazy