UNCLASSIFIED
TM-ANT-062
TAPE ANTENNAS
Flexible Copper-Tape VHF/UHF Arrays, 2M/70cm/1.25M Packable
Prepared by: Mervyn Martin, KO6NNH
Merced, California  •  26 May 2026
Amateur Radio / Antenna Engineering — Not for commercial use

Table of Contents

  1. Chapter 1 — General Information
  2. Chapter 2 — Theory of Operation
  3. Chapter 3 — Materials and Construction
  4. Chapter 4 — Assembly Procedures
  5. Chapter 5 — Calibration Procedure
  6. Chapter 6 — Tuning and Adjustment
  7. Chapter 7 — Verification
  8. Appendix A — Calculations and Formulas
  9. Appendix B — Example Results

CHAPTER 1 — GENERAL INFORMATION

1-1. SCOPE

This manual covers the Tape Antennas, a specialized antenna for operation on 2M, 70cm, 1.25M (144–902 MHz range). Design approach: Flexible copper-tape strip elements formed into antenna shapes; roll-up portability; suitable for improvised or emergency deployment.

1-2. APPLICABLE REFERENCES

  • ARRL Antenna Book — Specialized and Experimental Antennas
  • NEC2 model: tape_antennas.nec (in antenna directory)
  • FCC OET Bulletin 65 — RF Exposure Evaluation

1-3. SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

CAUTION — RF EXPOSURE Maintain minimum safe distance from all energized antenna elements during transmission. At QRP power levels (≤5 W) the MPE boundary is typically <1 m for HF antennas. At 100 W the controlled exposure limit for HF antennas requires maintaining ≥3–10 m distance depending on frequency (per FCC OET Bulletin 65). Never touch feed-point hardware or support structures while transmitting. Verify PTT key is open before antenna work.

CHAPTER 2 — THEORY OF OPERATION

2-1. DESIGN PRINCIPLES

Flexible copper-tape strip elements formed into antenna shapes; roll-up portability; suitable for improvised or emergency deployment. Key parameters: Flexible copper tape, 85% compact vs. rigid equivalent; vacuum-formed array possible; deployed with spreaders.

2-2. RADIATION CHARACTERISTICS

Gain: 2–5 dBi (configuration dependent). Efficiency: 85–94%. Feed impedance: 50 Ω (coax pigtail at feedpoint). The pattern and polarization depend on the specific antenna geometry; consult the NEC2 model for accurate polar plots and gain/elevation data.

2-3. PROPAGATION APPLICATION

This antenna is optimized for its specific application (see subtitle). Operating it outside the designed frequency range or in a different orientation from the NEC2 model will result in degraded performance — consult the simulation before making substitutions.

CHAPTER 3 — MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTION

3-1. BILL OF MATERIALS

Materials — Tape Antennas
QtyItemSpecification
Per NEC modelConductor elementsDimensions from NEC2 wire list; use copper or aluminum per design frequency
1Feed connectorSO-239 or N-type; 50 Ω (coax pigtail at feedpoint) system
1Support hardwareUV-stable; sized for operating environment (wind, ice load)
As neededFeed lineRG-213 or LMR-400; match to feed impedance 50 Ω (coax pigtail at feedpoint)

3-2. CRITICAL DIMENSIONS

Primary dimension formula (wavelengths)λ (m) = 300 / fMHz
Design-specific parametersFlexible copper tape, 85% compact vs. rigid equivalent; vacuum-formed array possible; deployed with spreaders

All critical dimensions are embedded in the NEC2 model wire card (GW) definitions. Extract from tape_antennas.nec for precise construction reference.

CHAPTER 4 — ASSEMBLY PROCEDURES

CAUTION — RF EXPOSURE Maintain minimum safe distance from all energized antenna elements during transmission. At QRP power levels (≤5 W) the MPE boundary is typically <1 m for HF antennas. At 100 W the controlled exposure limit for HF antennas requires maintaining ≥3–10 m distance depending on frequency (per FCC OET Bulletin 65). Never touch feed-point hardware or support structures while transmitting. Verify PTT key is open before antenna work.
  1. Extract all element lengths and spacings from NEC2 model file tape_antennas.nec (GW card dimensions). Convert from meters to inches or feet for construction.
  2. Fabricate each element to ±1 mm tolerance (VHF/UHF) or ±0.5 in (HF). Label elements before assembly.
  3. Assemble support structure. Verify element positions match NEC model geometry. Use non-conductive fasteners where element isolation is required.
  4. Install feed connector at designed feedpoint location. Install any required matching network (gamma match, balun, transformer).
  5. Connect feed line. Install common-mode choke (Mix-31 toroid) at feedpoint. Route feed line to minimize coupling with antenna elements.
  6. Perform SWR measurement per Chapter 5 before installing at full height.

CHAPTER 5 — CALIBRATION PROCEDURE

NOTE The NEC2 model file for this antenna is included in the antenna directory. Run it with xnec2c, 4nec2, or any NEC2-compatible engine to generate polar plots, impedance data, and gain figures. The NanoVNA measurements in Chapter 5 should be compared against NEC2 predictions — deviations >3 dB or >20% impedance indicate a construction error.
  1. SOLT calibrate NanoVNA at feedpoint (antenna connector).
  2. Set sweep range: ±10% of design center frequency.
  3. Connect NanoVNA to antenna. Record SWR minimum and frequency, R + jX at resonance.
  4. Compare measured impedance to NEC2 predicted values. Investigate discrepancies >20%.
  5. Verify SWR ≤2.0:1 at operating frequency. If not, adjust matching per Chapter 6.
  6. For gain verification: compare received signal strength (using TinySA as receiver) from a known beacon vs. reference antenna.

CHAPTER 6 — TUNING AND ADJUSTMENT

Element lengths can be adjusted by ±2% of design length to shift resonance and optimize impedance. For matching network adjustment: follow gamma-match, delta-match, or transformer-tap procedure per the specific implementation. Refer to NEC2 model for sensitivity analysis — the model can be re-run at ±2% element length to determine which element most affects resonance and F/B ratio.

CHAPTER 7 — VERIFICATION

Acceptance Criteria — Tape Antennas
ParameterRequirementPass/Fail
SWR at design frequency< 2.0:1____
Resonant frequencyWithin ±1% of design____
Gain (NEC2 or field test)2–5 dBi (configuration dependent)____
Efficiency85–94%____

APPENDIX A — CALCULATIONS AND FORMULAS

Wavelength in free spaceλ (m) = 300 / fMHz
Effective gain formula (over isotropic)GdBi = 10 log10(4π × Aeff / λ²) where Aeff = effective aperture (m²)
Special parametersFlexible copper tape, 85% compact vs. rigid equivalent; vacuum-formed array possible; deployed with spreaders

APPENDIX B — EXAMPLE RESULTS

Expected Measurements — Tape Antennas
FreqSWRR (Ω)X (Ω)Notes
Design center< 2.0:1~50~0After full match/tune
Band edge low<2.5:1~40≤−20Capacitive below resonance
Band edge high<2.5:1~40≥+20Inductive above resonance
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