The Simple Dipole: How It Works and How to Get On the Air

1,706 words, 9 minutes read time.

Amateur radio is both a science and an art, and few tools illustrate this duality better than the dipole antenna. For men preparing to enter the world of amateur radio, mastering the dipole provides both practical communication ability and an understanding of RF principles that will serve across the hobby. The dipole is simple, reliable, and educational, offering a starting point that is technically satisfying without requiring complex equipment.

Understanding the Dipole Antenna

The dipole antenna consists of two conductive elements of equal length, aligned in a straight line with a central feedpoint. This straightforward construction allows it to function effectively across many HF bands. Each half of the antenna resonates at approximately one-quarter wavelength of the target frequency, resulting in a total length near one-half wavelength. The antenna’s resonance is critical; it ensures that electrical energy is efficiently converted into radio waves with minimal reflection back to the transmitter. As described by ARRL resources, the dipole’s simplicity and efficiency have made it a foundational element in amateur radio since the early 20th century.

Height and orientation directly influence the radiation pattern of the dipole. Mounted at roughly half a wavelength above ground, it produces low-angle radiation ideal for long-distance DX contacts. Lower heights create higher-angle lobes suitable for near-vertical incidence skywave (NVIS) communication. Orientation relative to the intended transmission path determines directionality; a dipole aligned north-south favors east-west propagation and vice versa. Inverted-V configurations, where the ends slope downward from the central support, offer nearly equivalent performance while reducing installation complexity.

Feedline considerations are straightforward. Coaxial cable provides a convenient, low-loss path for RF energy from the transceiver to the antenna. A center insulator supports the antenna mechanically and helps maintain symmetry, while optional baluns prevent common-mode currents that may cause noise. For beginners, the simplest center-fed coaxial dipole is sufficient to achieve reliable communication, highlighting the dipole’s accessibility.

Constructing a Dipole

Material selection impacts both durability and performance. Copper and aluminum wires are common choices, providing low resistance and consistent signal radiation. Synthetic insulators like PVC or nylon rope ensure mechanical stability. Secure attachment points, such as tree branches or poles, prevent sagging and maintain the antenna’s intended geometry. While ideal placement is desirable, the dipole is forgiving of small deviations in angle or elevation, making it practical for backyards, parks, or temporary field operations.

The classic length formula, 468 divided by frequency in megahertz, provides a reliable starting point for determining total dipole length in feet. For instance, the 20-meter band (~14 MHz) requires approximately 33 feet total, or 16.5 feet per leg. Small adjustments during installation and tuning may be necessary, and using an SWR meter or antenna analyzer can refine resonance. While more advanced configurations exist, beginners benefit from starting with a straightforward, correctly calculated dipole to build confidence.

Historical context enhances appreciation. Early amateur radio operators used half-wave dipoles because they were inexpensive, easy to construct, and effective for long-range communication. This antenna type set the standard for experimentation, teaching principles of resonance, radiation patterns, and impedance matching that remain relevant today. Understanding the historical significance also reinforces the dipole’s value as an enduring educational tool.

Practical Deployment Tips

Successful dipole operation relies on careful consideration of height, orientation, and local environment. Even minor obstacles, such as nearby metal fences or power lines, can alter the radiation pattern and increase SWR. Trees and poles can serve as convenient supports, but ensuring clearance and stability is essential. For portable operation or temporary setups, lightweight supports and rope insulators provide flexibility while maintaining the antenna’s integrity.

Feedline placement should avoid proximity to conductive surfaces that may introduce interference. Proper grounding and secure connections enhance both safety and signal clarity. Beginners often underestimate the role of small details, yet careful installation ensures that the dipole performs reliably without adding unnecessary complexity.

Experimentation is encouraged. Slight variations in height, angle, or leg length allow operators to observe changes in signal reports and coverage areas. Recording these observations develops an intuitive understanding of antenna behavior and helps operators make informed adjustments. Practical experience reinforces the theoretical knowledge gained from study, bridging the gap between calculation and real-world performance.

Safety Considerations

Safety is paramount when installing antennas. Dipoles should never be placed near power lines, and care must be taken when working at heights. Securing the antenna to prevent movement or detachment minimizes risk, while proper grounding protects equipment and operators from electrical hazards. Experienced operators emphasize that following standard safety practices ensures a successful and secure installation.

Mechanical considerations, such as tensioning wires to prevent sag and using robust insulators, enhance both longevity and safety. Environmental factors like wind, snow, or ice can stress antenna components, so reinforcing attachment points and selecting durable materials are important. By prioritizing safety, new operators can focus on learning and experimentation with confidence.

Scaling and Variations

Once comfortable with a basic dipole, operators can explore enhancements. Trap dipoles allow operation on multiple bands without complex switching. Off-center-fed dipoles provide broader bandwidth and different radiation patterns. Inverted-V arrangements optimize performance in limited spaces. Each variation builds on the foundational principles of the simple half-wave dipole, enabling continued learning and experimentation.

Multi-element arrays, directional antennas, and portable configurations all trace their conceptual roots to the dipole. Mastering the basic design facilitates understanding of these more advanced setups, illustrating how a simple, well-understood antenna can serve as a stepping stone to complex systems. These experiences deepen knowledge and encourage practical experimentation, reinforcing the learning process.

SEO Section: HF Antenna Fundamentals

A dipole is a fundamental HF antenna that introduces new operators to the physics of radio waves. Understanding half-wave resonance, feedpoint impedance, and radiation patterns provides insight into how antennas convert electrical energy into RF signals. This foundational knowledge is essential for troubleshooting, optimizing SWR, and improving communication efficiency. By emphasizing principles over complexity, beginners gain confidence in both construction and operation.

Radiation patterns, including main lobes and nulls, help operators predict performance in different directions. For instance, horizontal dipoles favor low-angle propagation ideal for DX contacts, while lower heights enhance NVIS communication. Hands-on observation of these effects reinforces theory, creating a practical understanding that supports further experimentation. Combining calculation, measurement, and observation ensures comprehensive learning.

Feedline interaction with the antenna is another critical area. Understanding the role of coaxial cables, baluns, and common-mode currents prevents signal degradation and noise introduction. Proper installation of these components complements the dipole’s performance, ensuring that energy reaches the air efficiently. SEO-friendly discussions of feedline types, impedance, and SWR optimization make the content accessible and relevant to search engines while educating readers.

SEO Section: Practical Deployment and Experimentation

Practical deployment tips enhance the learning experience. Emphasizing placement, height, and orientation prepares operators for real-world installation. Diagrams and illustrations of dipole configurations assist comprehension, while descriptive explanations connect theory to practice. Hands-on experimentation, including SWR measurement and signal reporting, allows readers to observe the immediate effects of changes in antenna setup.

Portable operation offers additional opportunities for learning. Lightweight supports, rope insulators, and flexible feedline arrangements demonstrate adaptability. Documenting results reinforces the link between adjustments and performance, creating a feedback loop that enhances understanding. These practices engage readers in active learning, encouraging both experimentation and consistent improvement.

Community involvement further strengthens practical application. Participation in club demonstrations, online forums, and local events provides guidance, mentorship, and insight into regional propagation characteristics. Sharing experiences with other operators allows new hams to validate their observations and learn alternative approaches, fostering a collaborative environment conducive to growth.

SEO Section: Safety, Materials, and Longevity

Safety considerations are essential in antenna deployment. Placement clearances, secure supports, grounding, and avoidance of power lines ensure operator protection. Selecting durable materials, such as copper or aluminum conductors and synthetic insulators, contributes to long-term reliability. Reinforced attachment points prevent mechanical failures due to wind, ice, or environmental stress.

Proper tensioning of wires and careful alignment maintain intended radiation patterns. Minor adjustments can influence SWR and overall performance, highlighting the importance of meticulous installation. Safety, combined with thoughtful material selection, ensures that beginners experience both immediate functionality and long-term stability in their dipole setups.

Routine inspections and adjustments enhance longevity. Observing wear on insulators, checking for corrosion, and verifying secure attachments prevent unexpected failures. This approach encourages disciplined maintenance practices and reinforces the importance of responsibility in antenna management, ensuring that operators can safely and reliably use their dipoles for years.

SEO Section: Scaling, Variations, and Future Exploration

After mastering the basic dipole, new operators can explore trap dipoles for multi-band use, off-center-fed designs for wider bandwidth, and inverted-V configurations for constrained spaces. Each variation demonstrates the adaptability of the dipole and provides opportunities for continued learning. Understanding these modifications deepens comprehension of RF principles and enhances practical skills.

Advanced applications, such as multi-element arrays or portable field setups, rely on the foundational knowledge gained from dipole experimentation. Observing how basic concepts scale to complex systems reinforces learning and encourages innovation. By exploring these variations, operators develop both technical expertise and confidence in problem-solving.

Future exploration includes integrating the dipole with emerging digital modes, monitoring propagation patterns, and experimenting with automated tuning systems. The dipole’s enduring relevance ensures that new operators can continually expand their capabilities while remaining grounded in essential principles. SEO-focused content highlighting these applications provides valuable guidance for readers seeking both practical and theoretical growth.

Call to Action

If this story caught your attention, don’t just scroll past. Join the community—men sharing skills, stories, and experiences. Subscribe for more posts like this, drop a comment about your projects or lessons learned, or reach out and tell me what you’re building or experimenting with. Let’s grow together.

D. Bryan King

Sources

• ARRL Antenna Resources
• eHam.net Technical Articles
• QRZ.com Antenna Guides
• RigPix Antenna Technical Data
• Ham Universe Antenna Tutorials
• DX Engineering Technical Guides
• K0BG Antenna Insights
• VE3VN Antenna Reference
• Electronics Tutorials: HF Dipoles
• AMSAT Antenna Information
• RF Engineering Antenna Designs
• Ham Radio Pages Antenna Section
• IK3OQV Dipole Experiments
• W1AEX Antenna Notes
• ARRL Antenna Handbook PDF

Disclaimer:

The views and opinions expressed in this post are solely those of the author. The information provided is based on personal research, experience, and understanding of the subject matter at the time of writing. Readers should consult relevant experts or authorities for specific guidance related to their unique situations.

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Looking to build a powerful wideband VHF antenna? Check out this ultimate guide to the UR0GT Broadband Avia Antenna (RW4HVN Mod) — packed with practical insights, step-by-step instructions, and performance tips. Perfect for ham radio enthusiasts and VHF explorers! 🙌

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Understanding Antennas: A Beginner’s Guide

1,790 words, 9 minutes read time.

If you’ve ever tuned a receiver or held a handheld transceiver, you know the thrill of connecting with someone miles away over invisible waves. Yet, no matter how impressive your radio or its features, the antenna remains the real workhorse of your station. Think of it as the engine of a sports car: you can have the finest chassis and interior, but without a capable engine, performance suffers. The same principle applies to ham radio. A well-designed antenna can make even modest equipment sing, while a high-powered rig can struggle when paired with a poorly chosen or installed antenna.

This guide isn’t about licensing or exam questions. Instead, it’s about helping you master the science and art of antennas so that when the time comes to pursue your license, you already understand what makes an antenna work—and why it matters more than most novices realize. By the end, you’ll have the insight to make informed decisions about design, installation, tuning, and optimization, and you’ll understand why the antenna is the heart of every station.

The Big Picture: What an Antenna Really Does

An antenna is, at its simplest, a bridge between your radio and the world. It converts electrical energy from your transmitter into electromagnetic waves that propagate through the air. On receive, it captures those waves and converts them back into electrical signals for your radio to decode. While radios can be complex, antennas are governed by elegant, consistent physical principles.

Key characteristics define performance: frequency, wavelength, radiation pattern, feed-point location, and impedance. Frequency determines physical size; lower frequencies need longer elements, while higher frequencies allow smaller antennas. Wavelength defines the resonant length of the antenna, determining how efficiently it radiates or receives energy. Impedance is crucial for matching the antenna to your radio and minimizing power loss. A mismatch can result in reflected energy, poor performance, or even equipment stress.

The antenna’s shape, orientation, and height relative to the ground all shape its radiation pattern—the “footprint” over which your signal travels. A simple horizontal dipole a few feet off the ground will behave very differently from the same dipole mounted 30 feet high. Understanding these nuances early will save frustration later, especially when space, trees, and rooftops impose real-world constraints.

Antenna Theory for Beginners

When learning about antennas, it helps to think in terms of waves. Radio waves have both a wavelength and frequency. A quarter-wave or half-wave element resonates when its physical length is proportional to the wavelength of your frequency of interest. This resonance ensures maximum energy transfer and minimal loss.

Impedance is another cornerstone concept. Most amateur radios expect a 50-ohm load. An antenna presenting a significantly different impedance causes reflections back to the transmitter, measurable as Standing Wave Ratio (SWR). Understanding SWR is crucial: a high SWR indicates energy is bouncing back toward your radio, while a low SWR shows efficient transfer. Modern antenna analyzers make this process easier, but grasping the principle early ensures you interpret readings correctly.

Height, feedline quality, and nearby obstacles all interact with theory. A well-placed antenna can outperform a technically superior antenna that’s poorly installed. Even the choice of coax or ladder line matters; losses in feedlines reduce overall effectiveness. Understanding these elements before you even cut your first wire sets a foundation that will carry you through your first contacts and beyond.

Exploring Common Antenna Types

Choosing the right antenna often comes down to balancing your goals, available space, and budget. The horizontal dipole is a classic starting point: easy to construct, effective, and versatile. Variations like the inverted-V conserve space while maintaining reasonable efficiency. The G5RV multiband wire is another beginner favorite, providing access to multiple bands with a single installation.

Vertical antennas, including ground-plane designs, offer a smaller footprint and omnidirectional coverage, making them suitable for limited space. However, verticals often require a decent ground system for efficiency. Portable hams often start with rubber-duck handheld antennas or lightweight whips. While these are limited in range and performance, they provide essential practice in tuning, orientation, and handling.

Directional antennas, such as beams or Yagis, allow you to focus power in a particular direction, improving signal strength and reception. While these require more planning, supports, and often rotators, they demonstrate the profound impact antenna geometry has on performance. Even simple directional configurations like a corner reflector or quad can dramatically improve reception without increasing transmitter power.

Installation Considerations

An antenna’s effectiveness hinges on proper installation. Begin with a site survey. Note available supports, nearby obstacles, and ground conditions. Trees, metal structures, and other antennas can influence radiation patterns and SWR. Height is your ally: higher antennas generally produce lower take-off angles, enhancing long-distance performance.

Feedline choice is critical. Coaxial cable is convenient, widely available, and easy to handle, but every foot adds loss, especially at higher frequencies. Ladder line or open-wire feedlines minimize loss but require careful routing and insulation. Matching devices like baluns and tuners correct impedance mismatches and maximize power transfer, but they cannot compensate for poor placement or inadequate height.

Grounding isn’t just about lightning protection—it also improves safety and can reduce RF interference in your station. A properly grounded antenna system protects both your equipment and your home while ensuring more consistent performance.

Tuning and Optimizing

Once your antenna is up, tuning is the next step. Measure SWR across your desired frequency range. Small adjustments—trimming or lengthening elements, adjusting angle or height—can significantly improve resonance. Even a minor shift in a tree branch or support can alter SWR readings.

Baluns and matching networks help achieve impedance compatibility, but efficiency always begins with the antenna itself. Understand feedline losses versus antenna gain. In many cases, a slightly less “ideal” antenna installed correctly outperforms a theoretically perfect antenna with installation issues.

Routine monitoring ensures sustained performance. Seasonal changes, weather, or vegetation growth can subtly affect your antenna. Keeping a notebook with element lengths, feedline types, and SWR readings creates a reference that saves countless hours troubleshooting later.

Understanding the Math Behind Antennas

Even if licensing isn’t your immediate goal, some math from the Technician and General exams is invaluable for designing and tuning antennas. Let’s break it down.

Wavelength and Antenna Lengths

Radio waves travel at the speed of light, roughly 300,000,000 meters per second. The wavelength (λ\lambdaλ) is calculated as:

Where ccc is the speed of light in meters per second and fff is frequency in hertz. For example, a 14 MHz signal:

Using wavelength, antenna lengths are derived. A half-wave dipole, the most common, is approximately:

A quarter-wave vertical would be:

These formulas allow you to calculate almost any basic wire antenna length accurately.

Impedance and SWR

Understanding SWR requires a bit of algebra, but the principle is simple. SWR is the ratio of the maximum to minimum voltage on the line:

An SWR of 1:1 indicates perfect impedance matching. If your antenna presents 75 ohms to a 50-ohm transmitter, SWR rises to 1.5:1. Knowing this math helps interpret readings and adjust antenna lengths to minimize reflected power.

Power Loss in Feedlines

Feedline loss depends on frequency, cable type, and length. The basic relationship is:

Where III is current and RRR is the resistance of the line. While hams rarely calculate exact wattage losses, understanding that longer coax and higher frequency result in more loss helps you make smart installation choices. For example, 50 feet of RG-58 at 14 MHz may lose several tenths of a dB, while the same length at 144 MHz loses significantly more.

Resonance Adjustment

Small adjustments in element length directly influence resonance. For a half-wave dipole, a change of 1% in length shifts resonance by roughly 1% of the operating frequency. Understanding the proportionate effect of element trimming helps you fine-tune SWR without guesswork.

Growth Path: Beyond the Beginner Antenna

Your first antenna is not the end of your journey—it’s the foundation. Once you understand resonance, SWR, feedlines, and radiation patterns, upgrading to more complex systems becomes far less intimidating. Transitioning from a simple dipole to a directional beam, or from a single-band wire to a multiband installation, is much smoother when grounded in fundamental knowledge.

Experimentation is encouraged. Try different heights, orientations, or portable setups. Document every change. Over time, this builds not just skill but confidence. A well-documented antenna journey also creates a valuable reference for troubleshooting or mentoring newcomers in your local club.

Practical Tips and Takeaways

Start simple and test early. A straightforward dipole or vertical, installed thoughtfully, offers a playground for learning without the frustration of complex setups. Prioritize site and installation over chasing high-gain claims; a well-placed, modest antenna frequently outperforms flashy designs.

Keep detailed records. Note heights, element lengths, SWR readings, and observations. Engage with local clubs or online communities to exchange insights. Remember, there’s no “perfect” antenna; each design involves trade-offs. Your goal is functional, efficient, and maintainable—something that gets you on the air while teaching you valuable lessons along the way.

Conclusion

Understanding antennas is the cornerstone of being a competent ham operator. By mastering fundamental theory, experimenting with design and installation, learning to optimize performance, and applying some of the math behind resonant lengths and SWR, you lay a solid foundation for the future. The knowledge you gain now makes licensing less about memorization and more about applying what you already know.

The antenna is more than a piece of hardware; it’s a bridge between your curiosity and the world. Build it thoughtfully, learn from each adjustment, and your first transmissions will carry far further than just radio waves—they’ll carry experience, understanding, and confidence.

Your journey is just beginning, and the airwaves are waiting.

Call to Action

If this blog caught your attention, don’t just scroll past. Join the community—men sharing skills, stories, and experiences. Subscribe for more posts like this, drop a comment about your projects or lessons learned, or reach out and tell me what you’re building or experimenting with. Let’s grow together.

D. Bryan King

Sources

• “Your First Antenna” — ARRL
• “The Different Types of Ham Radio Antennas” — Ham Radio Prep
• “Beginners’ Corner” — Practical Antennas
• “Ham Radio Antennas: Types, Differences, and Pros & Cons” — Stryker Radios Blog
• “How Antennas Work” — ARRL
• “Building Simple Antennas” — ARRL
• “A Beginner’s Guide to SWR” — Practical Antennas
• “Impedance” — Practical Antennas
• “Feeding the Antenna” — Practical Antennas
• “Antenna Modeling for Beginners” — ARRL
• “Top 5 HF Ham Radio Antennas for Beginners” — World Radio League
• “Hexbeam” — Wikipedia (directional antenna type overview)
• “Quad Antenna” — Wikipedia (another antenna type overview)
• “Ch 4 – Propagation, Antennas & Feedlines” — ARRL
• “Corner Reflector Antenna” — Wikipedia (directional antenna concept)

Disclaimer:

The views and opinions expressed in this post are solely those of the author. The information provided is based on personal research, experience, and understanding of the subject matter at the time of writing. Readers should consult relevant experts or authorities for specific guidance related to their unique situations.

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Spotted in the October 2025 issue of the amateur radio magazine QST—

"Note that the coil form can also serve as a rain gauge unless drain holes are used."

Further, "I left on the smallest top segment of the fiberglass mast, although it does not get used. This prevents birds from landing on the mast."
—Bill Wortman, N6MW

#HamRadio #antennas #AntennaDesign

📡 What is Microwave Engineering?

👉 Click here: https://engineersheaven.org/forum/topic/46
to visit our website and read the full article.

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My first #HB9CV #antenna, believe it or not, made from 5mm brake lines and a foot of 15mm copper pipe 🙂

I need it for a 70cm radio #foxhunt event in a couple days - looked different places for design guidelines, some of them came up with quite different results 🤷🏼‍♂️🤨

Decided to just have go at it, based on a combination of what I could find in the legendary #Rothammel antenna book and some online sources and it turned out quite well 😃

Resonance is a bit low, 431MHz, but it’ll do fine as a direction finding device: what I really want is the characteristic kidney shaped radiation pattern, allowing me to turn the antenna backwards, looking for a minimum in the received signal.

Funny to see how the #smithchart impedance plot has a distinct turn at the resonance frequency 🤓

#rfengineer #hamr #antennadesign #testandmeasurement #electronicsengineering

🚀 New Video Alert! 🚀 Learn how to install HFSS on any Linux distro using Bottles. Perfect for antenna design and RF enthusiasts! 📡

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I think the term ‘Flowerpot’ antenna came from the idea that you should be able to fit a 50MHz vertical dipole in a reasonably sized flowerpot and get on-air in a stealthy manner 😎🤓

Essentially it’s a piece of high quality RG-58 coax cut so there’s almost an equal length of inner conductor with the screen part removed, and a part with the screen still present. At the bottom, a coil made from that same cable on a 50mm circular plastic tubing/pipe terminates the antenna. Dead simple, and it works!

I built the 6m version a couple of years back and worked stations across Europe at #QRP levels, so this year I decided to try the 10m version, inspired by #VK1AD. Andrew built his to center at SSB, I decided to move mine slightly downwards in frequency because I’m mainly a CW-Kitty 🐱🙂

It turned out really well, at least if you ask my #nanovna ☺️

On-air tests will follow later this week 👌🏻👍🏼

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The world of medical technology is constantly evolving, offering new and innovative ways to diagnose and treat patients. But behind the scenes, a silent force plays a crucial role – frequencies.

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@IU5FHO At their 1.1GHz frequency for omni-directional use, their QFH is 50mm wide and high, which is about as squat as my usual calculator likes. https://jcoppens.com/ant/qfh/calc.en.php

Scaled for CATS’ 430.5MHz the antenna would be 130mm (5”) or so wide and high. It'll vary a bit depending on your wire size and design.

If it checks out in a simulator, maybe you could wrap 740mm (2.5’) of wire up and down around a small bucket, solder some joints, and have an antenna? @F1RAD #CatsRadio #AntennaDesign

@IU5FHO it depends on whether their QFH antenna design suits your CATS use cases?

Rosette Maria Bichara et al’s design strikes a compromise between radio performance and mechanical stability in two patterns. If you only need one pattern eg. fixed deployment for ground-to-ground use, you only need one shape. You could optimise that shape for radio performance and perhaps cost.

That said, perhaps it can be scaled for 70cm use, sure! @F1RAD #CatsRadio #AntennaDesign

@F1RAD I’ve been planning a pop-up parasitic QFH based on a kids’ dirty clothes basket, but this one is lovely. I’m in awe at their hunch and then proof that squashing it down for a change in diameter and turns gives a useful change in distribution and polarisation. #AntennaDesign

Equipped with BNC jacks and wire but lacking the requisite bucket, it occurred to me this QFH could also be built like a pop-up laundry hamper. #HamRadio #AntennaDesign #SatNOGS

Since 1998, a group of radio amateurs has been reviewing new sites for listing every day, only for their work to be turned into hot monetised garbage.

Their misery doesn't have to be yours. If you use Kagi as a search engine:

⒈ Search for "Taming the Quadrifilar Helical Antenna”
⒉ Observe DXzone's SEO-ed result
⒊ Click the shield icon to the right (⛨)
⒋ Click “Block” as indicated
⒌ Click the X icon in the upper right (☒)

Want the original? https://web.archive.org/web/20160126173128/http://www.askrlc.co.uk/ #HamRadio #AntennaDesign

New antenna just dropped. https://phys.org/news/2023-10-physicists-antenna-radio.html brb setting up my field laser matrix #HamRadio #AntennaDesign

I'm not so sure about that but, is there any antenna designer/engineer here on @Mastodon ?

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Came across this stash the other day, nicely piled up to be scrapped, unfortunately. Was told: grab what you want before it goes .. 😳🤷🏼‍♂️🤯

RF absorber pyramidal panels like these are expensive and really hard to get at as a private person, so it felt like I struck gold 😃

I filled my little car and tomorrow I’ll be back for more: hear-say travels fast in the RF engineering community and as these are located within a secured area with strict access control, I was asked to bring some of it outside the fence 😂

#rfengineering #antennaengineer #antennadesign #hamradio #hamr #antennameasurement

Suddenly it occurred to me to question the thickness of wire in a balun, and this led me to question the thickness of wire for antenna elements.

This, my dudes and dudettes, is how you ride a seguey 😜

Doing a little extrapolation from some questions on the general class exam, I suspected bigger wire would be better (more surface area), and some research confirms that, at least to a point, this is true.

Consequently, I think I'm going to go back up in the damn attic, and fairly soon, and replace my 24ga stranded wire dipole elements with some made of 18ga stranded wire, and see if I can't get that SWR down a few points.

#amateurRadio #hamRadio #antennaDesign #antennaTuning

oK, going back into the attic, I rearranged some things.

First, I'd taken up more like 18" from each end of the dipole, so I relaxed that back to about 8". This gives me an SWR of a steady 2.2 on that antenna.

I reversed the vertical orientation of the end fed antenna, such that the end is now pointing at the ground, instead of the feed. This changed the SWR on that antenna to a quite satisfactory and very steady 1.7.

This doesn't just give me options, but lets me monitor with the rasppi/hackRF rig an work with the uSDRX+

Looks like it's almost time for 10m to start heating up around these parts 😜 💢

#amateurRadio #hamRadio #antennaDesign