DIY Build Next-G Yagi

vk4ion

VK4ION

Before we begin...

You can download a PDF document for this project. Size 480kb


What's the Frequency? This antenna is for Telstra Bigpond Next G Wireless Internet which uses two frequencies: uplink 839.8MHz and downlink 884.8MHz [Commonly referred to in Australia as "Telstra 3G 850MHz".]

This is NextG wireless we're chasing - keep these frequencies in mind as you troll for Telstra Transmission tower information in your area.


Materials and making a start: First the Boom - it should be non-metal so I was looking for rigid but light.
I started at a hardware store - from the gardening section pick up a 'riser' - a thick walled (sturdy) black plastic pipe. They're sold for attaching taps ... hence the name Riser and why it's threaded both ends. Your final antenna will be around 700mm so the 900mm Riser will allow some leftover for mounting - cost is about $6.
Take the riser to the Plumbing section and buy a straight PVC joiner which will fit over the riser - costs about $2.
Get 2 stainless 3mm bolts, long enough to go through your 10mm alum tubing, (excess length won't matter). 2 washers to suit, and 2 small lugs to solder to the coax tails.
Elements are 10mm aluminium tube - you need just under 1200mm of aluminium tubing.
Cut all 8 elements at the lengths shown - mark the D.E. and put aside till later.
Drill all 8 holes in the black plastic boom at the correct distances, and fit SEVEN elements - not the D.E. Yet!
The last hole (Director #6) should be out near the end of your boom, leaving excess at the back, behind the Reflector.
This leaves plenty of boom to make a mount which you brace onto your mast (whatever suits your setup).
I stuffed the ends with styrene (lightweight filling) and a blob of silicone, to keep the bugs out.

The Specifications

Dimensions

specs 02

Reminder: You can download a PDF document for this project

To clarify some points:
Measurements are Centre to Centre - You can measure left side of one element to left side of the next and still retain the C to C relationship [be sure not to take left side of one piece to right side on another piece].
You begin at the Back element - the Reflector - and each measurement is taken from that, so do note the "Element Spacings from Reflector" measurements .
10mm Aluminium Tubing was used but 12mm can be used with the same measurements.

Construction Process

Step By Step Build

Next-G Yagi

A little more info...

Finish the job The final stage - how to mount - is up to you. Make attachments you need to get it in the air.
You can leave the rear end behind the reflector as long as you need to mount and brace.



Polarisation: This may take a leap of faith as all the experts will tell you that Next G technology is a vertically polarised medium and hence they say you should make vertical antennas.
Research YOUR nearest transmission tower & you will discover that some are Vertical and many are SLANT polarisation.
Research on Whirlpool.net.au is helpful as people build and test antennas and compare results... proving that if your Telcos transmission tower is SLANT polarisation - you will get better download speed from a Horizontally polarised yagi.
Conversly if your nearest 850MHz transmission tower is Vertical - then you stick with Vertical polarisation too.


Performance: What about the signal-strength lights and bars on your modem?
The number of bars is simply an indication of the noise in the air that the modem can see/hear. It is NOT a true indication of the directional gain you're achieving with your yagi. (I could prove this to you with lots of testing equipment but that would bore you).
A well-built antenna filters out all the noise and you'll only be seeing the signal you're looking for so 2 bars/lights might be great speed.
I'm not an expert by any means but I research propagation continually, and I can build an antenna to achieve the results I want - and at home handyman prices and that's good enough for me.
I hope this project has been of some help to you.



Important update 2020
Telstra Australia has published the following:
" Telstra will be switching off 3G in 2024. Before switch off, you can use handsets supporting 3G on 850MHz... After switch off you will still be able to access the Telstra Network on 700MHz. Find out more: tel.st/goodbye3G "

ยท I have decided to leave this page live on the internet as the 3G mode [and 850MHz frequency] is still used in other parts of the world.

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