How to construct a multi-band dipole using speaker wire. Post #1068.

How to construct a multi-band dipole using speaker wire.
(http://www.dxzone.com/cgi-bin/dir/jump2.cgi?ID=32580).
Author:  James Stevens (M0JCQ).
Accessed on 11 March 2017, 04:45 hrs, UTC, Post #1068.
Please click link or enter title URL into your browser search box to read the full report and to view the photos.

Comment:

Here's another great multi-band dipole antenna for those living in deed-restricted homes or apartments. In this well-written and easy to follow tutorial, James Steven (M0JCQ) shows how some wire and connectors from eBay can make a "stealth" antenna that delivers good local and DX contacts.

James provides a complete materials list and an easy step-by-step guide to building this simple, inexpensive dipole antenna that fits in an attic or loft.  In James's case, he was able to design a multi-band dipole antenna fed by a single coaxial feed line that covers the 40, 20, 17, and 15 meter Amateur Radio bands. The antenna closely resembles the popular "fan dipole" used by many radio amateurs to get multi-band capability with a single feed line.  James was able to design, build, and use this antenna without the help of an antenna transmatch (i.e. "tuner").  To keep RF currents off the coax shield, James uses a homebrewed "ugly" 1:1 balun made from locally available materials.  Although a "tuner" is not required, you may find one useful in reducing SWR to the lowest value available.  James includes a gallery of helpful photos to help you design your own hidden or "stealth" dipole antenna.

So, how well does the speaker wire dipole work?  According to James, performance is quite good:

"The final result of my construction of this antenna is that it outperforms my other expensive commercially available antennas! The end product is cheap and i’ve had hundreds of QSO’s on it so far (using up to 50w) including some nice DX. The SWR always seems to be very low across the bands and the reflected power rarely exceeds 3-4 watts (assuming 50w from transceiver). All in all i’m very happy with it and there is a massive sense of achievement when you make contacts from an antenna you made yourself."

For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please visit these websites:

http://www.HawaiiARRL.info
https://oahuarrlnews.wordpress.com
https://bigislandarrlnews.wordpress.com
http://www.kh6jrm.info (breaking news for radio amateurs).

Other sites of interest:

http://hawaiisciencedigest.com (science and technology news for radio amateurs).
https://hawaiiintelligencedigest.com (trends in geopolitical intelligence, strategic forecasting, terrorism, and cybersecurity).

Opinions expressed in this blog are mine unless otherwise stated.

Thanks for joining us today!

Aloha es 73 de Russ (KH6JRM)





Comments

Post a Comment

Thank you for visiting my Amateur Radio Blog. I value your comments and suggestions. For Amateur Radio Antenna Topics and Discussions, stay here. For Amateur Radio News and Trends, please visit my news site at https://bigislandarrlnews.com.
Aloha es 73 de Russ (KH6JRM).

Popular posts from this blog

G5RV Multi Band HF Dipole Antenna. Post #1555.

Image
If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeNHIQ_j4Dk This well-produced and richly illustrated tutorial on the classic G5RV HF Dipole Antenna was presented to the Brandon Amateur Radio Society in Brandon, Florida in 2017 by Bernie Huth (W4BGH).  Bernie does an excellent job of  explaining the pros and cons of this popular HF antenna from the late Louis Varney (G5RV).  Although Varney envisioned his design primarily as a 3/2 wavelength antenna for the 20 meter Amateur Radio band, radio amateurs have used the antenna for multiband use.  The G5RV is an excellent choice for the 20 meter band.  Performance on other HF Amateur Radio bands is good enough to qualify as stand alone HF antenna if you can only erect one HF antenna. For the latest Amateur/Ham Radio news and information, please visit these websites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. http://www.arrl.org. http://www.arrl.org/arrl-audio-news (a wee
Read more

Antenna for Condo Backyard-Stealth. Post #1542.

Image
If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXTYTytR56A. Don't let deed-restricted properties (HOA/CC&R) stop you from enjoying Amateur Radio.  In this video from AC2RJ, we see how some well-placed trees, a camera tripod, a telescoping fiberglass mast, and a "V" antenna can get you on the air without a lot of effort.  Add an antenna "tuner", a sturdy rig, such as the Yaesu FT-817, a microphone/cw key, and a simple grounding system, and you have a fully functional, nearly invisible ham station in your backyard. For the latest Amateur/Ham Radio news and information, please visit these web sites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. http://www.arrl.org. http://www.arrl.org/arrl-audio-news (a weekly podcast which is updated each Friday afternoon). https://hamradiohawaii.wordpress.com. https://bigislandarrlnews.com. https://amateurradionewsinformation.com (Amateur Radio News &
Read more

Amateur Radio Bicycle Mobile Setup. Post #1554.

Image
If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zWb-KnkGdY. Here's a way to use Amatuer/Ham Radio while you work on shedding a few pounds in useful exercise.  Why not equip your bicycle for 2 meter/70 cm mobile operation? In this short, well-made video, "taverned" shows us how he used a mag mount antenna, a simple C clamp, and a basic ground system to convert his mountain bike into a mobile station.  The project is straight forward, simple, and gives you emergency communications while you peddle down the road. For the latest Amateur/Ham Radio news and information, please visit these websites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. http://www.arrl.org. http://www.arrl.org/arrl-audio-news (a weekly podcast which is updated each Friday afternoon). https://hamradiohawaii.wordpress.com. https://bigislandarrlnews.com. https://amateurradionewsinformation.com (Amateur Radio News & Information).
Read more