Introducing the Porta-Web - Google Groups

I wanted to try out a cobweb type antenna that could be used portable but I have disabilities, the weight of cobweb type antennas when they are made from solid fibre glass rods and tubes makes them too heavy for me to handle. The answer was to design a portable frame to carry a standard cobweb design. I chose the single element design by G3TXQ, I altered the balun design slightly to make it lighter. The main criteria for the Porta-Web was; lightweight, easy to erect and dismantle, cheap and easily obtainable materials. I think I have fulfilled all of the above criteria. The Porta-Web is constructed out of 20mm plastic conduit and fittings from Wickes; if any of these parts need replacing because of damage etc the cost is no more than £2.00 each or less. The conduit spreaders are a bit droopy but I simply inserted cheap garden canes inside them to stiffen them and make them stronger. As can be seen in the photograph the hinges are simply made from conduit T piece fittings, I formed “U” clamps out of 2mm thick aluminium strips to secure the T pieces to the centre plate. The clips on the corners of the centre plate are 22mm pipe clips to lock the spreaders in the down position. The centre plate needs to be at least 3mm x 300mm x 300mm aluminium sheet.