DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY COMPANY B, 3RD BATTALION, 7TH SPECIAL FORCES GROUP (AIRBORNE) FORT BRAGG, NORTH CAROLINA

28307-5000 JUNGLE ANTENNA INTRODUCTION: Communication at times can be improved with the use of field expedient antennas, especially in the jungle environment. The improvised 292-type antenna (JUNGLE) used with FM radios can help to increase the quality and range up to 30 kilometers in the field. During this period of instruction we will construct a Jungle antenna using WD-1 field wire and a few other easily found materials. FIRST ENABLING LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Materials needed (1) WD-1 field wire - length determined by operating frequency. (2) The jungle antenna is a 1/2 wavelength antenna cut to the operating frequency. One radiating element and three ground plane elements are needed to construct this antenna. Determine the length of the radiating and ground plane elements by using the 1/2 wavelength formula or the 1/4 wavelength formula. 468 a.1/2 wavelength formula is: Freq. in MHZ = length in feet x .3048 for meters 234 b.1/4 wavelength formula is: Freq. in MHZ = length in feet c. EXAMPLE: OPERATING FREQUENCY 40 MHZ: 234 L = 40 MHZ = 5.85 feet or 1.78 meters for each element. 142.5 L = 40 MHZ = 3.55 meters -- divided by 2 for length of 1/4 wavelength. d. Four elements are needed for construction, (one radiating element and three ground plane elements) so the total length of wire needed would be 23.4 feet. Add 6 inches to each end of each element for construction purposes. A total of 27.4 feet of wire is needed to construct this antenna to the frequency of 40 MHZ. e. The antenna can be cut to plus or minus 15% of the operating frequency and still operate effectively. This will allow the operator to switch to higher or lower frequencies without having to cut the antenna. (3) Cut 3 spacing sticks for separation of the ground plane elements. Each stick should be the same length as the ground plane elements. Use light weight material to cut down on weight of antenna. x .3048 for meters

(4) 5 resistors will be needed. Premade are the best but improvised can be made from a variety of easily found items. These can be plastic, glass, rubber, or any non conducting materials. Some examples of these are plastic spoons, bottle necks, plastic bags and buttons. (5) Wire, tape or rope for tying, and attaching. SECOND ENABLING LEARNING OBJECTIVE: CONSTRUCTION (1) Cut four elements of field wire to the desired frequency. Add six inches to each end of each element for construction purposes. Strip six inches of insulation from each end of the wire elements. (2) Tie the spacing sticks together to form a triangle. (3) Attach a resistor to each corner of the spacing sticks with a small piece of wire or rope. (4) Attach a ground plane element to each insulator on the spacing sticks with the six inch stripped portion on the ground plane. (5) Bring the ends of the three ground planes together at the top twist together. Attach the three ground plane elements that are twisted together to another insulator. Leave three inches of the twisted wire exposed for attaching the ground wire of the transmission line. (6) Attach the radiating element to the to the other side of the insulator where the ground plane elements come together. Leave enough wire exposed to attach to the hot wire of the transmission line. (7) Attach an insulator to the top end of the radiating element and tie a rope to the other end of this insulator. (8) Use coaxial cable or a twisted pair of WD-1 wire (one twist per inch) to form a transmission line from the radio to the antenna. Tie a knot in the hot wire on both ends of the transmission line if using the twisted pair. This knot will help to identify the correct wire after constructing the twisted pair transmission line. Attach the hot wire to the radiating element and the ground wire to the ground plane elements. Use only as much wire as needed for the transmission line, excess wire will lower the efficiency of the system. (9) Attach the hot wire of your transmission line to the antenna mount using the long whip base to hold it in place. (10) Attach the ground wire to the radio or a metal ground stake. Make sure the ground is attached securely to the exposed metal or ground stake.

(11) Tape the exposed connection points for the transmission line and antenna elements with electrical tape assuring the hot and ground wire do not touch. Taping the connections will also provide protection from moisture. (12) Toss the rope attached to the radiating element over a tree branch and hoist the antenna as high as possible into a tree then tie off to base of the tree. (13) Check all connections and settings on the radio, turn on the power, and transmit. SUMMARY: This concludes construction of the improvised 292 antenna (JUNGLE). Remember if time and location permit you can extend the range of your FM communications up to 30 kilometers using the Jungle antenna. It is light weight and easy to construct and can be stored in a ruck sack for easy transport.