2.4ghz helical high gain beam antenna.

thingiverse

I designed this 2.4GHz helical beam antenna for my 2.4GHz base station using a calculator to determine the specs of the coil, then created the antenna mast and complementary parts in CAD to ensure diameter, spacing, and other specs met the antenna calculation requirements. The antenna has approximately 15dbi gain, with a beam width that falls somewhere between wide and narrow, making it suitable for use without a tracker. I utilize a 3D printed adapter called DeWatt here on Thingiverse to power my receiver with a 12V Dewalt battery. Assembly: To build the antenna, you will need copper wire (I used #14 copper salvaged from Romex), enough to make 10 turns, as well as a copper board measuring 120mm x 120mm. I employed PCB material but you can use any available metal handy. You will also require coax and SMA or RPSMA connectors depending on your receiver. Additionally, you'll need a receiver – you can opt for a module in a Google set like FatShark or utilize the same one I'm using, which is available at getfpv.com/2-4GHz-A-V-Receiver.html (although it's currently out of stock). You may also find alternative receivers online. Assembly instructions: 1. Assemble the antenna mast by combining the two pieces of mast and the mast coupler using CA glue. Apply glue to the coupler, faces of the antenna, and push them together. Allow this to dry. 2. Prepare the ground plane by drilling a 10mm hole in the center of the copper board (120mm x 120mm). Next, insert the rivet through the back plane backer, followed by the copper board, ensuring it's aligned square. Mark the hole that is offset from the center – this will be used for coax connection. Drill a 3.5mm-4mm hole and remove the rivet temporarily. Optionally, you can glue the copper board into the back plane backer; set aside to dry. 3. Create the copper coil: I utilized a smaller item (e.g., a pen) as a guide, wrapping copper wire around it. Secure the ends with electrical tape. You should end up with approximately 10 turns of copper wire. Strip about 1 inch of insulation from one end and twist the exposed copper together. 4. Assemble the antenna: Insert the rivet through the swivel mount and ground plane backer, then slide the capacitive tuning ring over the rivet. Apply CA glue to the end of the rivet and push the mast onto it. Align the capacitive tuning ring so that it lines up with the end of the groove on the mast; there should be about 1 half turn remaining flat. 5. Secure the coax: Strip about 1/2 inch of insulation from one end of the coax, then peel back the shielding and twist it together off to the side. Strip another 1/4 inch of insulation from the center conductor and solder it to the exposed copper coil. (You should align this when assembling.) 6. Attach the tripod mount: Locate the hole with a 1/4" thread in the back of the receiver base; I couldn't get it printed well, but you can force it into place once and it will thread easily after that. Secure your tripod mount to the base, then attach it to a tripod using the hinge pin. Your antenna is now complete.