Instructions | Portable Discone Antenna

1

Go online to a discone calculator

With your lowest desired frequency, determine the various element lengths using the discone calculator.
2

Cut the top AL elements

Measure out and cut the 1/16" x 1/2" AL elements to the lengths needed. Drill a center hole in each piece.
3

*Cut the top AL elements

An alternative way for a small footprint of the elements is to cut the elements in half and then drill your center hold in each piece. This allows the elements to fan out and collapse into a half the diameter of the above method. Either method works, just depends on how you want to set it up.
4

BNC Assembly

Take the Smiley Antenna BNC connector and attach the coupler. Take the 6/32" eye bolt and pass through the center of the elements you just drilled. Screw that bolt into the coupler. *Note you can add plastic or steel washers in between the elements to give them some room to move. Tighten the eye bolt to fasten the elements in the desired arrangement.
5

Drill out skirt mounting bracket

Using some AL or other metal, use a hole saw to make a circular mounting bracket 3" in diameter. Drill out a center hole for the double female bulkhead BNC connector and holes surround the mount for the skirt wires.
6

Skirt wires

Using ring terminals, make enough skirt wires for as needed. Insert bolts and attach to the skirt.
7

Bottom skirt attachement

Using ABS, acrylic or spring steel create a bottom hoop that the skirt wires can attach to.

Portable Discone Antenna