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View Full Version : How do I make a dipole?



W1GUH
09-30-2010, 11:41 AM
Disclaimer:
:evil::wall::nuts::neener:

This thread is what you'd like to reply when you read those ever-present questions!!!

I want to put up a dipole. I have limited space and can't put up the total length specified by the formula, so will it work OK if it's shorter? Can't use a tuner. Should I put up a G5RV instead? How long would that be. Can I use coax? How about balanced line without a tuner - I remember some BA's used that way.

What kind of coax?

NQ6U
09-30-2010, 11:45 AM
I use a G5RV and can tell you that the performance is a bit limited. It works very well on 20m and acceptably on 40m but that's about it. I'm looking to upgrade to something else as soon as finances allow.

kf0rt
09-30-2010, 12:37 PM
What kind of coax?

If it's going to be outdoors, I would recommend using the waterproof kind. :neener:

KC2UGV
09-30-2010, 12:42 PM
Disclaimer:
:evil::wall::nuts::neener:

This thread is what you'd like to reply when you read those ever-present questions!!!

I want to put up a dipole. I have limited space and can't put up the total length specified by the formula, so will it work OK if it's shorter? Can't use a tuner. Should I put up a G5RV instead? How long would that be. Can I use coax? How about balanced line without a tuner - I remember some BA's used that way.

What kind of coax?

I second using the waterproof coax. If you have limited space, then use a limited space antenna.

NQ6U
09-30-2010, 12:45 PM
Best feed line as far as loss goes would be window line. If you need coax and can afford it, LMR-400 is very nice. Don't really need it for HF but if you want coax with the minimum loss it can't be beat. If not, RG-8 is good. Stay away from RG-58, line losses are way too high.

WA4TM
09-30-2010, 02:29 PM
Instead of shorter can you zig-zag it any? That might cram it in your available space..

kb2crk
09-30-2010, 02:57 PM
get a tuner and load the neighbors chain link fence as a long wire. hook same tuner to the gutter on your house and load it. think and experiment jackass.


BTW i have loaded a gutter on a house for use on 10 meters and i have loaded a barbed wire pasture fence for 10 through 160m. i have no idea how long the wire fence was but in a bind it really does not matter.

NQ6U
09-30-2010, 03:10 PM
get a tuner and load the neighbors chain link fence as a long wire. hook same tuner to the gutter on your house and load it. think and experiment jackass.


Jackass? That seems uncalled for.

KC2UGV
09-30-2010, 03:12 PM
Jackass? That seems uncalled for.

See OP:
"This thread is what you'd like to reply when you read those ever-present questions!!!"

NQ6U
09-30-2010, 03:16 PM
See OP:
"This thread is what you'd like to reply when you read those ever-present questions!!!"

Duh, missed that totally. I thought that remark seemed sort of out of character and un-Island-like.

ki4itv
09-30-2010, 03:16 PM
We don't make dipoles. We buy them and have somebody else put them up.:lol:

KG4CGC
09-30-2010, 03:28 PM
Duh, missed that totally. I thought that remark seemed sort of out of character and un-Island-like.
Also note that it is located in Rumpus.

w2amr
09-30-2010, 03:32 PM
Put plenty of grease on yer coax. It will keep the swrs from stickin and messin up yer swing.;):agree:

N9FE
09-30-2010, 03:40 PM
Put plenty of grease on yer coax. It will keep the swrs from stickin and messin up yer swing.;):agree: They sell SWR grease on flea bay.

KG4CGC
09-30-2010, 03:50 PM
You can make your own SWR with paraffin and silicone based conduit lube.

NQ6U
09-30-2010, 04:01 PM
Or you can just spray it with PAM. Works well--the electrons slip right back along the cable jacket to complete the circuit.

w2amr
09-30-2010, 04:02 PM
You can make your own SWR with paraffin and silicone based conduit lube.No no no, ya got it wrong. The idea is to keep the swrs from stickin to yer coax. The grease will make them slide off, and keep them from getting to yer diapole and screwin up yer swing. Damn extra hams, don't no nothin.

KG4CGC
09-30-2010, 04:09 PM
No no no, ya got it wrong. The idea is to keep the swrs from stickin to yer coax. The grease will make them slide off, and keep them from getting to yer diapole and screwin up yer swing. Damn extra hams, don't no nothin.http://home.euphonynet.be/on7eq/projects/shortyforty.htm

kf0rt
09-30-2010, 07:16 PM
See OP:
"This thread is what you'd like to reply when you read those ever-present questions!!!"

Corey gets the joke....

Now, about that fence.... Got a lot of chain link here, but isn't it all grounded? How can it radiate with all that ground?

KG4CGC
09-30-2010, 07:21 PM
Corey gets the joke....

Now, about that fence.... Got a lot of chain link here, but isn't it all grounded? How can it radiate with all that ground?
Why, groundwave of course, silly!

kb2crk
09-30-2010, 09:13 PM
ok so chain link is grounded, but a barbed wire fence on wood posts does work quite well.

w6tmi
10-02-2010, 01:52 AM
ok so chain link is grounded, but a barbed wire fence on wood posts does work quite well.


Noob!

The elections will get stuck on the sharp, pointy things!

l2 antenna!

NQ6U
10-02-2010, 05:44 AM
It seems that you guys just don't understand. SWR stands for Short Wave Radion. An SWR is the RF equivalent of a photon. The more SWRs you have, the better your signal is, so you should adjust your tuning so your SWR meter is as showing as high a reading as possible.

A good antenna grease helps a lot too. Apply it heavily to all the exposed metal, it will allow the SWRs to leave your antenna at a higher speed, meaning that your signal will get to where it's going faster. That will give you a huge advantage during a pile-up because the DX station will hear your call before anyone else's.

N8YX
10-02-2010, 10:38 AM
Anyone with common sense knows the proper way to build a dipole is to call 1-800-AES-G5RV and have them ship a pre-fabbed unit to your doorstep. :yes:

W1GUH
10-02-2010, 02:45 PM
Thanks for all the help and suggestions, but about grease on the coax. I understand about Standing Waves and the more the better and how it's good for them to leave as fast as possible....but if I grease the coax, doesn't the lessen the traction so the swr's can't get up it in the first palce? ::: And will KY do the job?

KC2UGV
10-02-2010, 04:05 PM
Thanks for all the help and suggestions, but about grease on the coax. I understand about Standing Waves and the more the better and how it's good for them to leave as fast as possible....but if I grease the coax, doesn't the lessen the traction so the swr's can't get up it in the first palce? ::: And will KY do the job?

I think KY will work, but this is way better: http://www.rectorseal.com/index.php?site_id=1&product_id=228

W3MIV
10-02-2010, 06:32 PM
Best coax grease is lard, but then it limits who you can talk to throughout the Middle East.

kb2crk
10-02-2010, 07:06 PM
Thanks for all the help and suggestions, but about grease on the coax. I understand about Standing Waves and the more the better and how it's good for them to leave as fast as possible....but if I grease the coax, doesn't the lessen the traction so the swr's can't get up it in the first palce? ::: And will KY do the job?

ky will work but you will have to re apply after every rain storm as the water will wash it away. good old fashioned vaseline or valvoline should work well.

ki4itv
10-02-2010, 07:08 PM
:lol::lol::lol:
Albi rocks the thread.

ki4itv
10-02-2010, 07:10 PM
ky will work but you will have to re apply after every rain storm as the water will wash it away. good old fashioned vaseline or valvoline should work well.

You should only use Valvoline with tube rigs.

kb2crk
10-02-2010, 07:16 PM
Best coax grease is lard, but then it limits who you can talk to throughout the Middle East.

cant talk to israel either. a good veal lard might work

KG4CGC
10-02-2010, 08:31 PM
How do I make a dipole?
You don't! Dipole make you!

KG4CGC
10-02-2010, 08:33 PM
Dipole go both ways, yes?
Oh, is bipole?

KG4CGC
10-02-2010, 08:33 PM
No but Buddy Pole is bipole.

NQ6U
10-02-2010, 08:51 PM
Dipole go both ways, yes?
Oh, is bipole?

What? Your antenna is bipolar? Like, somedays its happy and radiates really well while, on others, it just kind of sulks and you're lucky to be able to have a QSO with the guy down the street?

KG4CGC
10-02-2010, 08:54 PM
What? Your antenna is bipolar? Like, somedays its happy and radiates really well while, on others, it just kind of sulks and you're lucky to be able to have a QSO with the guy down the street?If built properly, then problem is coax. A little vodka on wire, everything OK.

kf0rt
10-03-2010, 07:37 AM
http://kf0rt.westton.com/graph/antleritch.jpg

N5RLR
10-03-2010, 10:42 AM
My last girlfriend was bipolar. Among other mental issues. :stirpot:

ki4itv
10-03-2010, 12:57 PM
Should have hooked her up to see how she radiates, Mike. Probably really get out on 20m, around say... dot 275.:lol:

W1GUH
10-03-2010, 10:14 PM
http://kf0rt.westton.com/graph/antleritch.jpg

Hmmm...maybe that pic explains something. A few years back I was at the Grand Canyon in November, and it as the season when the bucks are out in the wild being "male", and the does were hanging in the park, where they were safe. We saw one buck, though, with a full rack. The bus driver said something about "males sometimes hang out here, during the season, too." I thought that particular buck was pretty smart -- instead of being out there proving his manhood doing ridiculous things with his rack, he was where the good stuff was! Probably doing a lot of what's in that pic, too! :evil:;) Hope he doesn't go blind!

w3bny
10-04-2010, 11:20 AM
Duh, missed that totally. I thought that remark seemed sort of out of character and un-Island-like.

Jackass... :neener:

W3MIV
10-04-2010, 03:15 PM
As a dyed-in-the-wool Democrat, I take that as a COMPLIMENT!

NA4BH
10-04-2010, 04:04 PM
http://kf0rt.westton.com/graph/antleritch.jpg

Beats lickin' em, I guess. :yuck:

NQ6U
10-04-2010, 04:16 PM
Q: Why does an elk lick his nuts?

A: Because he can.