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."

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