Build this cheap rotatable dipole. Great for Field Day and portable use!
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- Опубліковано 13 лис 2022
- In this video I show how to make a Inverted U rotatable dipole antenna that is multibanded. This is an antenna design from W4RNL L.B Cebik (SK). Cebik designed this antenna for use on Field Day and other portable operations. I will make a version that uses 1/2" EMT conduit to keep the cost down. Two 10' lengths of the conduit cost me 14.50 at a box store, so not bad for a good performing antenna! Now this antenna can be made more light weight and portable using 3 sizes of Aluminum tubing and over all length can be abdout 3'. Check the ARRL antenna handbook page 21.17-18.
The conduit length for each side is 98.25", each side of the 15m is 55"
As an Amazon affiliate I may receive a commission on some items sold.
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#field day, #rotatable dipole, #dipole
I built a version of this with copper pipes… I have speaker wire dangling to get me to 20 meters… Best antenna that I have. Super quiet and great signal reports. Thanks for the idea!
Good Video! Two Suggestions: 1) you can shorten the drop leads by about 1/3 with linear loading (folding back on its self). Use about one third more wire length then fold it back almost completely doubled. 2) if you want multi bands without having to change drop wires, put tap screws along the length of your element about one eighth wave out for each band and add drop wires for those bands, which will decouple those bands. (Just saves a bit of time while operating, useful on Field Day)
LB Cebik's W4RNL (SK) Inverted U only looses about 0.6 db (~13%) power broadside which is unnoticeable in real world operating.
73 mike N4ONL
Fire Chief chuck (FCC) is a Genius. I keep saying this all the Time over and over again.💯👍🙋♂
Chuck, love the home made antennas and your honest reviews on commercial built antennas. It's so refreshing to see someone who tells the truth and gives honest reviews. Too many give glowing reviews of every antenna that is sent to them for free. The classic designs almost always seem to perform the best. Making your own antennas rocks ! Keep up the great videos. I think I can speak for most out here and say we love the honest reviews and content on home made antennas and other accessories. It not only saves you a lot of money, but in many cases gives better performance. The aluminum tubing from DX Engineering works fantastic. Very light weight and the ends are cut every 90 degrees to make it easy to insert other sections. If you are looking for light weight, the DX tubing is the way to go. Thanks Chuck !
Thanks John, I try to make as honest a review as I can I really like making my own antennas and like to see others do the same, but nothing wrong buying an antenna as long as the price is right!
Very Cool build Chuck! Right up my alley. I've got a couple empty fabric softener jugs from my wife now to use as stakes.
Thanks for sharing, Chuck. Would make a great weekend project. My wife and I enjoy your vids and how you present material. Your intro music isn't our cup of tea, so to speak, but it's your channel. We also watch you on CaHR.
Powerpole connectors maybe a good choice for the wire connections
Chuck you had me at the teaser at the start. Brilliant.
Thanks for the video. I use pex-al for antennas. Comes on a roll, so you have to straighten it, lol.
This would have been a much better video if you showed the construction step by step. Then show the entire finished project, as other comenters have mentioned. Remember, it is a how too video - So, show " how to do it Step by Step" you made an excellent start by showing the tools needed. Next you should have shown each tool and how you used it. It's a lot of work I know, but it is what makes a "Meeh" video into a great video.
Thanks George, I plan to do a follow up video soon and I will try to add more of how to build it and and I have some new ideas to improve from my viewers. It's just hard to add everything and keep the video fairly short.
G'day Chuck, loved the video and the build mate. It's inspired me to finish off my popup tent poles and see if I can get it resonant for 10-20. Looking forward to hearing you on the air again soon buddy! Cheers! Simon VA7BIX
its perfect how it started with that swr on CB, but then again i love the redneck telephone band
Using the Ole Rout-a-burr for deburring holes ! They work great, been using them every day at work for years ! Great Video Chuck !
Yea T-Ray I use mine all the time, when I can find it lol.
Quick everybody, Chuck is building another cool antenna.
Great video Chuck!
Hey Chuck. This is pretty neat - thanks for sharing.
Great idea. Way to go chuck !!
Nice build Chuck👍
Have made a 6 meter dipole with aluminum shock-corded poles, and found that the sleeve joint was not tight enough for a consistent length, but was solved with a set screw through each joint. Thanks for the vid. VA7HUM
Good morning Chuck, from a sunny Thailand
I think I'll build one of these.
Thanks,
David HS0ZQA
Chuck, thanks for sharing. Experimentation is always good for hams. 73, de Bill K0WHW
Great job i will be building one, 73’s Gw4
One of these days I'm going to update this antenna!
I like this concept. But I think I'd use sliding tube segments at the ends of the dipole rather than hanging wires (with a finger adjust auto hose clamp to "fix" it). And when you adjust to desired freq/SWR - scribe a line so you can quickly return to that setting.
Even better do the sliding arrangement at the center vs the ends. Several inches fixed then the bulk of the element slidable so you can adjust both elements quicker and not have to walk those 17 feet. LOL (Of course the U clamps would need to be loose enuf to move the elements.)
With decent amount of fixed center sections, this sort of arrangement would also allow much greater latitude of band coverage..
I too old and disabled to do these things anymore but I can feed ideas for people.
You will love the new version!
As usual, this is an awesome video 👍
Thanks Ape!
Nice Chuck! It feels good to have great results from something you built with your hands! Congrats Sir! TNX, 73 - KF6IF
Nice antenna build. WF9F Matt is a good guy, he is a regular on the OMISS nets.
Nice!🥰👍
Great the Antenna. I will use at 27 MHZ CB Band. Thanks for show us 13HN98 southgermany.
Cool build! I would appreciate in antenna builds if you can manage to show a shot of the whole antenna. It can be hard to judge the size and appearance sometimes otherwise.
Lucas I plan to do a follow up and show the whole antenna, thanks for the comment!
@@KK6USYHamRadioAdventures awesome! Thanks for the reply!
This is an interesting idea for a new ham to try. Any update on an updated video of this? I am interested in seeing what changes you may have made to it, as well as a pull away shot of it to see the whole thing.
I have the parts just waiting on better weather
@@KK6USYHamRadioAdventures excellent! Thanks for replying and I look forward to the next video!
😀nice what i could see
I thought I was subed to you channel but wasn't so got that fixed also love the video
I like it!
Wish you would have shown the completed build of the antenna!
I have a video coming out in next few days on an update and views in the Air.
WIDE shots and whole project pictures so we can see what you are doing....I REALLY like this project!!!
Lawrence I really need to revisit this project it worked a lot better than expected. I also had some really good input on different configurations. Thanks for the comment!
Chuck, if I understand this correctly, my box store has some aluminum rods that are 8' long. Couple of those and some hose clamps to so hold the wires off the rods. This looks like a fun build and for 15, 12 or 10, it would be great for those bands.
Hi Don, could you get me a link to those rods? I was surprised how well it worked!
Instead of cutting individual wires for each band you could make it into a linked dipole by adding bullet connectors to the ends of the wires to change bands.
Perfect 45, I might just do that
I want a budget rotatable dipole so this project looks great. Apparently the larger diameter surface area is better.
Out electrical conduit only goes to 3/4 here but I'm sure it can find a substitute.👌
great job thanks 73 from kb2uew
Great video, sir! Thanks for sharing this cool project.
To ask the question I think we're all dying to ask. . . how did the ribs turn out?
Haha they were really good
CAP THE ENDS. DRILL AND TAP FOR 3/8 X 24 THREAD. USE A TELESCOPING WHIP.......
Great Idea thanks!
The air hose quick connects have an O- ring inside the female end. You may or may not have a connection?
Cool project. 73
The red tool is a "deburring" tool.
What version of the antenna handbook are you using? I am looking on the 23rd edition and do not see that antenna. Some measurements would help also. Love your channel and videos.
I have the 2022 I think 6 volume set and it is in #4 antenna system and radio propagation
@@KK6USYHamRadioAdventures - Thanks. I found it last night after I asked. I thought you were referencing the Antenna Handbook, not the ARRL handbook.
Do you have the STL print file available for you center insulstor/separator?
Thanks for the video. Cool antenna. The plastic hand tool for deburring the metal and PVC is called a deburring tool. lol They're made for machienists and they're available from several sources online. They work real good for PVC, too and last a long time before getting dull.
I have a question. How long do the pipe pieces of the dipole need to be to hold efficiency and directionality? Is there a part of a quarter wavelangth for maintaining directionality? I've been wondering about making an antenna like that for the lower frequency bands.
Thank you.
The pipes probably need to be a 1/2 wave on the lowest band you want the antenna for.
@@KK6USYHamRadioAdventures Thank you.
Great little project you have there. I was wondering if you could show the specs in a on a piece of paper on the links and everything. I tried to look at a picture but I didn’t see much, so is this possible? KC9ZLB thank you.
well,i wonder if we used copper tube,would it be more performant than this aluminium ? i have some high pressure copper tube .73,gervais,ve2ckn
The tool you are describing is a deburring tool for deburring internal pipes wall, be it
aluminium or plastic. Hope this helps. M1BTI
Instead of a "U" bolt at the ends of the board, use double conduit clamps and instead of drilling a hole and bolt the "drop wires" use stainless steel hose bands and a Anti-Ox compound over a coil of wire wrapped around the conduit, that way it can be loosened and slid back and forth to tune. Since this is a 73. Ω antenna (it is a dipole) 75. Ω coax should be used. All transceivers work just fine with 75. Ω antenna systems. Ron W4BIN
Great ideas there Ron, Thanks!
Just need a link and a list of parts and basic dimensions in the description.
Robert, I bought 2 10' pieces of 1/2" emt conduit. 2 small U-bolts for the conduit and 2 u-bolts for the size of your mast. a couple small screws to mount the coax and 2 bolts to bolt the middle to the 1x4 board. The measurements are above in the description for the two bands I tuned, 10 and 15m
the tool you are talking about is called a Deburring tool. I have been using one for over 60 years. Mostly used by machinest.
Right at the time i didn't want to say it wrong lol, I use mine all the time! Thanks for watching
@@KK6USYHamRadioAdventures 73
6:55 "negative and positive" from the coax feedline 🤔 ...and do you think this antenna has "directional gain", or is possible that the overall gain is reduced compared to a conventional dipole, but it has directional properties?
David "outer shield and center of coax". a flat dipole will be better off the sides. being rotatable will give you the chance to null out what you don't want to hear, but not a huge difference.
Would there be any difference or harm in using copper pipe instead of aluminum?
Copper should work just fine, still heavier than aluminum is all.
Did I miss the shot of the entire antenna?
In this video I focused on the build and hope to put it to use in the field soon, stay tuned!
I haven't watched the video yet. I noticed that you said even at qrp wattage the ends of the antenna are dangerous???? I'm not doubting you. Just seems a little bit absurd but then again I don't know that much about radio
Just going by what was written by a really smart Ham that knew a lot about antennas, thanks for watching.
@@KK6USYHamRadioAdventures awesome, do you mind referencing the material so I can read as well? I'm still pretty new to radio but I'm learning it's absolutely amazing.
That's a de-burring tool, I use mine with my 3D printer.