Frequency: 144-146MHz
Type: 3x5/8 wavelength
Gain: 7.8dB
Maximum power rating: 100W
Impedance: 50ohms
Length: 4,2m
VSWR: Less than 1.5:1
Summary
The F23 pocket antenna is based on the Diamond F23 design. It’s designed to work as a 3x5/8 wave for a 144-146MHz band, but using the Diamond tuning table, it can be tuned to other frequencies, too (see manufacturer's documentation).
Description
The antenna consists of three coils connected by a radiator wire. Full dimensions and electrical connections can be seen in the attached diagram. The copper wire I used for all the coils has a cross-sectional area of 1.5 mm2, but it can be thinner, though. The radiator I used in the original project was made from a military phone cable used by Eastern Block armies. The capacitor connected to the RF socket with a matching coil was like in an original project (8,2pF 500V) but feel free to use any capacitor with the capacitance between 5 and 10pF rated for 500V.
Assembly
The bottom/matching coil consists of two parts: coil (bottom_coil.stl) and SO239 mount (bottom_mount.stl). After assembling the matching coil, the bottom wire should be passed through the hole in the SO239 mount and bent to be squeezed with the SO239 socket - this way you make a good connection between the SO239 socket and matching coil. After soldering both parts should be glued together.
Parts list:
bottom_coil.stl | 634.0KB | |
bottom_mount.stl | 233.6KB | |
F23_pocket_antena_eng.docx | 52.3KB | |
middle_coil.stl | 1.2MB | |
top_coil.stl | 1.3MB | |
top_holder.stl | 49.5KB |