NEW PRODUCT - CAPACITANCE HAT OR CAP HAT

Carl

In a little while we'll introduce our NEW CAP HAT for our antennas. The CAP HAT will be used for portable, base station and motionless mobile as well.
The CAP HAT will be inserted between the lower and the upper element of the V2L, V1 or V1L.

The Capacitance Hat will increase the electric length of the antenna (and increase performance) without changing the actual physical vertical size of the antenna.

Carl

N5JMP

Carl,

Very positive idea. I assume it can also be used between a V1L lower and a MIL as an upper. Has this also been tested? What are estimated costs?

...Joel

Carl

Yes exactly. We've no idea of the actual cost as we're in the testing process and trying to find the cheapest way to produce them.

N9SWR

Looks like something I could use on my Hybrid w/Mil Whip

kc7zwg

I am eager to get one for my home installation.

Most cap-hat's I have ever had also helped to reduce local static noise as well,

will this one also perform this function?

Carl

I never noticed if the cap-hat was reducing static noise. It's a good question. They should be ready next week. We'll have about 50 of them.

N5JMP

Carl,

When do you plan to have pricing and availability of the Cap Hat?

...Joel

Carl

Probably somewhere next week-end. I'm working with my workshop CNC engineer. The pricing will be announced in the forum.

AD1Z

How does it integrate with my V1/Hybrid setup?

Carl

AD1Z said:
How does it integrate with my V1/Hybrid setup?

The Cap Hat MUST be installed between the LOWER section of the V1 and the UPPER section. The Cap Hat increase the current distribution on the antenna which increase radiation.

Carl

I just a meeting with the engineer and the Cap Hat price should be around $45 to $60. The price will depend of the demand. We will have about a dozen next Wednesday.

N5JMP

Carl,

If your price for the Cap Hat will be ~$45 to $60, I would like to reserve one to try with my Field Use Antenna. I want to see if it broadens and/or lowers the SWR dips in the V1L/MIL vertical I have. Also, along with the Cap Hat purchase, I want 1ea of your V4 specials at $55. What do I need to do to effect an order for both?

...Joel, N5JMP

KD0JOF

I would also like to get one of these. Just send me the invoice and I'll pay. Just one. ;)

Carl

Hi everyone,

The CHA CAP-HAT are finally ready! They're better than I initially thought and they're way lighter than expected. In fact they're so light that my regular scale is not sensitive enough to actually weigh them. They're so light that they will probably be usable mobile!
They will come un-assembled:

3 X 3' aluminum rod (Alloy 6061)
6 X Set Screw 8-32 Thread, 1/8" Length
1 X 3/8-24 thread bolt
1 X Teflon washer (To tighten everything up)

Price: $55 USD + Shipping

Bottom View with the plastic washer

Top View with the set screw

kc7zwg

Carl,

If there are any available I would like to get one.

1. Cap-Hat (1each)

2. V1L Antenna (1each)

3. Foldover 90 adapter (1each)

4. Jaw Mount (1each)

Please invoice me for them,

Thanks,

Martin - mjohnson at skatecreek (SPAM) dot com

Carl

kc7zwg said:
Carl,
If there are any available I would like to get one.
1. Cap-Hat (1each)
2. V1L Antenna (1each)
3. Foldover 90 adapter (1each)
4. Jaw Mount (1each)
Please invoice me for them,
Thanks,
Martin - mjohnson at skatecreek (SPAM) dot com

Martin,

Yes totally. I'll send you an invoice in few minutes.

Thanks

Carl

kc7zwg

Carl,

I dont know why, but I did not get the invoice....

even checked my spam folder.

Martin

Carl

I sent it few days ago at the following email: mjohnson@skatecreek(dot)com
In fact I just sent you a reminder.

kc7zwg

got it!

got both of them at the same time, something must have started working again?

paying invoice right now,

Thanks Carl !

Martin

kc7zwg

PAID!

but the street name is incorrect... should read "S Cheyenne St."

thanks for another great batch of products!,

Martin

KF5FXZ

Carl,

I sometimes use my V1L as my primary portable VHF and UHF antenna from the tripod mast. Since I am using it without a good ground plane underneath, I was wondering if the Cap Hat could be inserted at the bottom of the V1L in this application instead of at the center of the antenna and make an effective ground plane underneath the antenna for VHF/UHF standalone use? I was going to build a ground plane base plate to go under the V1L with some 2-ft radials, but if the Cap Hat will work it is a much cleaner and elegant solution to gaining a good ground plane under the antenna for the higher bands.

This would make the Cap hat dual purpose, and increase its versatility, since I could use it between the upper and lower V1L sections for normal mobile use, or underneath the V1L base at the bottom of the antenna to form a good ground plane for the VHF/UHF bands when used without the Hybrid base as a standalone antenna for the higher frequencies. Please comment on the idea, since it could mean the Cap Hat would enhance the use of any of the V1 or V2 antennas as a portable VHF/UHF, mast-mounted antenna instead of in a mobile HF application.

Your thoughts?

kc7zwg

that's a good idea, and would probably work ok for VHF/UHF

the problem is that it is electrically connected to the antenna and not the ground.

Maybe Carl could find a way for you to use it as a ground plane? as-is, the answer is no.

KD0JOF

Just a quick note. I finally found the time to pull down my V1 and add the CAP HAT. This for being so simple this thing is great! My V1 hears even better than before and I don't really have to tune up anything other than 160m. My SWR on 80 is 1.5 and even better down through 6m. I was able to make contacts in Washington and Oregon from Boulder, CO on 6m yesterday. I could hear the 59 but they had a little trouble hearing me but it's 6m and they where using beams and dipoles with horizontal polarity and of course I am vertically polarity.

Everything on HF has been great!

Carl

Quick not on 6M:

You can't use 6M if you're using the UNUN 9:1. The UNUN has been designed to the used from 10M and above. On 6M the UNUN will choke too much RX and TX. This do not apply with the HYBRID.

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