Homemade Scanner Antenna Tape Measure

You might not be able to contact alien life forms, but you can communicate with shortwave radio operators with a homemade tape measure scanner antenna. Tape measures made out of steel can receive and transmit radio signals to use for your scanners and shortwave radios, when they are connected with additional wiring. If you don’t want to spend your hard earned money on your new hobby, tape measure antennas provide an inexpensive option compared to short-bought antennas and tape measures yield similar results.

Things You'll Need

• 1-inch PVC pipe
• Hand saw
• 1-inch steel tape measure
• Tin snips
• Metal file
• Electrical tape
• 1-inch rubber stopper
• 1-inch cross connector
• 1-inch T-connector
• Cable ties
• Electrical wire
• Wire cutter
• Wire stripper
• Hot glue gun
• Soldering iron
• Soldering wire
• Coax wire

Instructions

1. Make part A and C. Cut the PVC pipe into two 6-inch pieces. Make part B. Cut a 1-inch PVC pipe to a 12-inch length, using a hand saw. Parts A, B and C make the vertical base.

2. Pull the tape measure completely away from the base. Hold the tape measure closest to the base with one hand to secure it. If you do not hold it, the tape measure will retract back into the base. Cut the tape measure, using tin snips. Make antenna A. Measure a 42-inch-length on the tape measure and cut it. Make antenna B. Measure a 36-inch-length on the tape measure and cut it. Make antenna C and D. Measure and cut two 16.5-inch-lengths of tape measure.

3. Smooth the edges of the cut tape measure, using a metal file. Cover the cut ends of the tape measure with electrical tape. The cut ends of the tape measure are extremely sharp.

4. Insert a 1-inch rubber stopper on bottom end of part A. Insert the top end of part A into a 1-inch cross connector. Insert the bottom end of part B into the opposite end of the cross connector. Insert the top end of part B into a 1-inch cross connector. Insert the bottom end of part C into the opposite end of the cross connector. Insert a 1-inch T-connector on the top end of part C. The horizontal ends of the cross connectors and T-connectors should be open.

5. Position the middle of antenna A horizontally across the T-connector. Secure the tape measure onto the sides of the T-connector using cable ties.

6. Position the middle of antenna B horizontally across the cross connector that connects part A and part B. Secure the tape measure onto the horizontal sides of the cross connector, using cable ties.

7. Position the antenna C on the left side of the cross connector between part B and part C. Secure antenna C, using cable ties. Remove the electrical tape. Position the antenna D on the right side of the cross connector between part B and part C. Secure antenna D, using cable ties. Remove the electrical tape.

8. Cut an electrical wire to a 6-inch length. Strip a half-inch of the coating from the ends of the wire, using a wire stripper. Bend the electrical wire to an inverted “U” shape. Position the wire above the cross connector between part B and part C. Glue the rounded portion of the inverted “U” shape to the vertical base, using a hot glue gun. Solder the exposed ends of the “U” shaped wires to the ends of antenna C and D.

9. Cut one end of a coax wire to a 4-foot-length, using wire cutters. Strip 1-inch of the coating from the end of the coax wire, using a wire stripper. There are two interior wires inside the coating. Solder one of the exposed wires to the solder mark of the “U” shaped wire and antenna C. Solder the other exposed wire to the solder mark of the “U” shaped wire and antenna D.

10. Wind the excess coax wire around the vertical base until you reach the bottom. Insert the end of the coax wire into the antenna input of your device. The unexposed end of the coax wire has an output antenna connector.

Tips & Warnings

• Warm the hot glue gun and soldering iron for 3 minutes.

• The nozzle of the hot glue gun and soldering iron are extremely hot and burn skin on contact.