The only difference is I used a Perfect Vision amplifier to directly mount the whip. The amp sits inside the beer can in this picture. http://i.imgur.com/E7ghnYc.jpg?1
I also constructed an enclosure using a powdered Gatorade jug and a plastic stand I had. I used just the outside leftovers from a length of coax for the whip enclosure and sealed and areas I could with high temp RTV. http://i.imgur.com/lzZ4adq.jpg?1
Right now it is still inside to test and tune the antenna as much as possible before I climb up on my roof and mount it. The Coax line from outside will be about a 25 foot run to the receiver. If anyone has some suggestions or comments before I install this it would be greatly appreciated.
I made a cantenna this past week (made a spider and a coaxial antenna as well) and I installed it outside on the roof eves with a 36" piece of PVC supporting it. I made the can sides longer as I wanted the AMP to be hidden from the sun, the rest is the same.
Now, it’s not an exact science, measuring the increase/decrease in this antenna vs the stock telescoping whip antenna, so using the day of the week as the control, I am seeing an 18% improvement with the coke can, an amp and a power inserter over the “control” whip antenna.
I have a filter on order, maybe it has came in by the time I get back in town, but gladly this is a cheap and easy antenna as there’s not a huge improvement over the control antenna.
I have to try the spider when I get back in town and see if it shows any promise. Then if the filter has arrived do the testing over again with each of the three.
Reading and reading, it’s best to try and see what works best in your area, with your surroundings. There doesn’t appear to be a definitive ->->->-> Buy/build that one<-<-<- over any of the ones you can make so I just said F’it and made them all. Take the amp/filter/power inserter out of the cost and the three antennas can be all be built for less than $20.00 depending upon how much coaxial cable is needed.
RTL- SDR → DIRECTV PI21R1-03 Power Inserter ( signal to IRD ) → DIRECTV PI21R1-03 Power Inserter ( signal to SWM ) → PERFECT VISION IN LINE PVLA-30 SATELLITE AMPLIFIER - >piece of wire 68MM long?
Yes, thats my setup. I am getting a reliable range up to 150nm (with sparse reports even beyond that), however I am severely terrain limited where I am. Using HeyWhatsThat, I am about at my theoretical range based on terrain. My position reports have however increased about 30%. I will need a few more days of data to see how well it is doing overall.
