Shed Building Plans: 10

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W8MDE 10 Meter Rotatable Dipole

I spent Fathers Day finishing up my 10 meter rotatable dipole antenna project for this years ARRL Field Day which is coming up in a couple weeks. I wanted to change things up and try working a different band other than 40 meters where I have operated the past few Field Days. The sun is putting out as many sunspots as its going to during this solar cycle so it has the 10 meter band coming open usually every day for world wide communication. So this and the fact that our clubs field day location has a lack of trees for antenna supports I decided to focus on the shortest of the high frequency wavelengths.

This is the second homebrew antenna project Ive built since becoming a radio amateur in 2008 and I had a great time with it. A dipole is a most basic type of antenna and is easy to build. Dipoles are usually made of wire and strung up between two supports but aluminum tubing can be used for the elements which is what I used so the antenna would be self supporting.

Materials I gathered from my spare parts bin and local hardware store. I also used a new to me vendor; DX Engineering, to supply some high quality saddle clamps for the mast to Lexan plate connection and fiberglass tubing for the mast. DX Engineering is located here in Ohio so I can consider all my antenna components for this project locally sourced. The Lexan sheeting was a scrap piece from work and I fabricated a small aluminum angled bracket to mount the coaxial connector. The antenna elements are made from anodized aluminum tubing I got at the hardware store.

The jumper wires are #14 braided copper with crimped and soldered connectors. The white PVC pipe acts as a support sleeve for the aluminum antenna elements. I drilled a small hole on each side so a stainless steel sheet metal screw can provide secure electrical contact between the jumper wire and the aluminum tubing. The feed line attaches at the bottom of the bracket. In the picture the connector is wrapped with self vulcanizing tape and a cable tie to weather proof it. Shortly after taking the picture I placed a blob of RTV 100% silicon on the top of the coax socket to further protect the exposed solder joint. The ground side of the dipole attaches via a ring terminal connected to one of the socket mounting screws.

The cool thing about half wavelength dipoles is that the physical length can be approximated by a simple formula: 468(ft) / frequency (MHz). I wanted my antenna to be resonant on 28.050 MHz so 468 divided by 28.050 equals 16.684 feet. That number should be close to the overall length of the antenna.

I designed the antenna elements using 6 ft sections of tubing with a smaller diameter 3 foot section that telescopes into the bigger piece. This allows me to adjust the length of the element legs in or out to set the point of resonance of the antenna just where I want it.

With the help of my antenna analyzer I noted the SWR then extended the ends a couple inches at a time and rechecked the antenna with the meter. After repeating this process a few times I observed the low point of the SWR curve move right into the area of frequency I plan to operate. I locked the element tips down tight with a small hose clamp.

SWR Curve

27.062 1.5

27.303 1.4

27.573 1.3

27.955 1.2

27.968 1.1

28.197 1.1

28.208 1.2
28.622 1.3
28.902 1.4
29.180 1.5

Im sure most hams would agree the most exciting part about making your own antennas is hooking up the rig and seeing if one can actually make a contact using the homebrew equipment. It was late in the afternoon when testing was complete and I headed inside to my operating position to hook up the antenna to my transceiver.

Right away I heard signals coming in so that was a good sign. I set my dial to 28.076 MHz and sent out some CQ calls using the digital mode JT-65. After a few tries with no response I looked for a station who was calling. Up popped a ZL prefix station on the decode screen which I recognized as one from New Zealand. It took two tries and on the second go ZL4AD received my signal and we completed the quick JT-65 contact spanning 8,811 miles between us.

With that as a first contact Im going to call this antenna project a success and I think the thing will work fine for making a few local stateside contacts during the Field Day event.

W8MDE 10 Meter Rotatable Dipole

How To Build A Shed In 10 Steps Outdoor Storage Shed

So you need a storage shed to keep your outdoor items properly protected. You have shopped around to see what’s available, but you just can’t find one that suits your needs. Well, that’s no problem. You can build one yourself ,even if you’re not a carpenter. All that is required is ,for you to follow some quick and easy step by step plans, and you will have it built in no time.

Step One
Is to determine where you want to build it. You need to have a designated area planned out before you begin. What space you have available will determine the maximum size you can build it.

Step two
Once you know your exact size it’s a good idea to rough sketch what you want. There are many home improvement stores that you can take your sketch to. They will draft up your storage shed plans for you, according to the specs you provide them with. They will also supply you with a list of materials that you will require. So now you have your plans. In addition they will provide you with a guide on how to perform each step.

Step Three
Purchase the materials you will need as outlined in your plan. it’s a good idea to have everything at hand so you don’t have to keep running out for supplies once you start construction.

Step Four
Now you are ready to start. Level your ground and prepare to lay the foundation. You would have already decided whether you are going to have a wood plank floor or concrete slab type.

Step Five
Next comes the side walls. Put your materials aside that you are going to use for this. It is better to construct the walls on the ground then lift them into position once they are together. Just follow your guide for the how to instructions.

Step Six
Now its time to start the roof. You will need to build your trusses. So construct one and then use it as a template for the rest. Once again follow your guide on how to build the trusses.

Step Seven
Your storage shed should now be taking on some shape. Its time to build the end walls. How you do this will depend on what you have chosen in your plans. Be sure to stay with your original plans.

Step Eight
Now you are getting down to the final steps. The trim is just as important as the rest of your structure. Its what gives it that finished look so don’t scrimp here.

Step Nine
Your last two steps are applying the shingles for the roof then treating the wood. The wood must have some type of protective coating on it to protect it from the elements and rotting. This can be varnish, stains or paints whatever is your preference.

Step Ten
You’re done! All that’s left is to sit back and admire your completed storage shed. If you hadn’t built it yourself you would think it was a professional store bought model.

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How To Build A Shed In 10 Steps Outdoor Storage Shed

How To Build A Shed In 10 Steps Outside Storage Shed

So you would like a storage shed to stay your outside things properly protected. Youve got shopped around to visualize what’s on the market, however you only can’t realize one that suits your wants. Well, that’s no downside. Youll build one yourself, even if you’re not a carpenter. All thats needed is, For you to follow some fast and straightforward step by step plans, and you may have it in-built no time.

Step One

Is to see wherever you would like to create it. You would like to own a delegated space mapped out before you start. What area youve got on the market can confirm the most size youll build it.

Step two

Once you recognize your precise size it’s an honest plan to rough sketch what you would like. There area unit several home improvement stores that you just will take your sketch to. Theyll draft up your storage shed plansfor you, in line with the specs you offer them with. Theyll conjointly provide you with a listing of materials that you just would require. Thus currently youve got your plans. Additionally theyll offer you with a orient a way to perform every step.

Step Three

Purchase the materials you may want as printed in your set up. It’s an honest plan to own everything at hand thus you don’t need to keep running out for provides once you begin construction.

Step Four

Currently youre able to begin. Level your ground and prepare to get the inspiration. Youd have already determined whether or not youre reaching to have a wood plank floor or concrete block sort.

Step Five

Next comes the aspect walls. Place your materials aside that you just area unit reaching to use for this. Its higher to construct the walls on the bottom then raise them into position once theyre along. Simply follow your guide for the a way to directions.

Step Six

Now its time to begin the roof. You may got to build your trusses. Thus construct one then use it as a templet for the remainder. Another time follow your orient a way to build the trusses.

Step Seven

Your storage shedought to currently be absorbing some form. Its time to create the tip walls. However you are doing this can rely upon what youve got chosen in your plans. Make certain to remain together with your original plans.

Step Eight

Now youre obtaining all the way down to the ultimate steps. The trim is simply as vital because the remainder of your structure. Its what provides it that finished look thus don’t save here.

Step Nine

Your last 2 steps area unit applying the shingles for the roof then treating the wood. The wood should have some variety of protecting coating on that to safeguard it from the weather and decomposition. This may be varnish, stains or paints no matter is your preference.

Step Ten

You’re done! All that’s left is to sit down back and admire your completed storage shed. If you hadn’t engineered it yourself youd assume it had been knowledgeable store bought model. Review MyShedPlan

How To Build A Shed In 10 Steps Outside Storage Shed

Open House Sundays 10 Cloches Lavender

Welcome to Open House Sundays where we get a personal invitation to tour through a different blogger's house every week!

This week's tour is courtesy of Cindy from Cloches and Lavender. Cindy is one of the first bloggers I met when I began blogging, her home is brand new (she just moved in earlier this year) and it is GORGEOUS. Cindy has the best faux painting skills in blogland. Her pieces are beautifully done using appliqués in a lot of cases - they truly look antique!

Enjoy this Christmas tour of her new home!

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Open House Sundays 10 Cloches Lavender