Directional Antenna Build

On January 31, 2026 we held a directional antenna build. It was hosted by Mike (AD5SU) and Betty (KF5LDA)Temple at their barndaminimum near Smithville TX.

Mike (AD5SU) and Betty’s (KF5LDA) barndaminimum, 9000 Sq ft of great living and hosting of club events!


The antenna design is based on PVC pipes and tape measure pieces. The directions for the build came on 8 pages of detailed build notes that Mike created in 2022.

Directions (8 pages) of build details including some nuances, very well documented!
Mike (AD5SU) and Kelly (KI5KET) working on one of the PVC mods.
One step is to snip off the sharp corner of the tape measure piece. Looks like Hank (W5SZ) is enjoying the process.
Hank (W5SZ) and James (KJ5EVA) sharing the tools.
Ron (K5MUL) and his completed antenna. Nice Job Ron!
Don (WA5SWM) and Kelly (KI5KET) working on it. Don was instrumental is assisting several of us with the assembly and testing of same.
Bill (KJ5GOO) and his finished product. It was a very cool day with extra layers of clothing and sock hat too!

At the end of the build Betty provided a delicious lunch in their dining area inside their home, which is inside the barndaminium! Thank you, Betty, for a great meal and thank you Mike for a great project!

Later in the day Don posted on groups.io, “It was great. Mike and Betty are fantastic hosts. With my antenna inside my shack with metal cabinets and file cabinets, my antenna was centered on 146 Mhz at 1.3 SWR and under 1.7 at the band edges. Will probably be even better outside.”

Website page last updated: 2026-03-06, bp KJ5GOO