Your videos are awesome; thank you for the detail you painstakingly include. I have been 'binge watching' those on 'Inverted V' antenna, over the past few weeks. My question is about Balum use. And, I acknowledge that your web page said "The original diagram is that of a dipole antenna but it does not indicate the use of a balun. If this antenna is to be mounted as a horizontal dipole then I would recommend using a 1:1 air core or current balun for a better impedance match. Mounted as an Inverted V antenna the impedance is near 50 ohms without using a balun." I must apologize in advance, if someone already asked my questions, and I didn't find their response. But, this will be my 1st HF antenna; and I want to start off on the best footing. Background:- I am hoping to successfully first hang your 20M 'Inverted V' off of a metal TV Tower, approximately 10' below a 18' VHF Yagi. which has a 9' Parabolic UHF antenna stacked above it.
My tower is about a foot away from my 62' wide house, which has a flat roof line about 11.5' above the physical ground. The tower rotor platform is about 45' above the physical ground. That seems to have more than enough room for a 20M Inverted V with a 90 to 120 degree spread; strung-up, just below the Rotor Box. So, my Questions are these: - Does it mess anything up, if I use your Balum on the Inverted V antennas anyway ? Doesn't the 1:1 air core Balum still come out at 50 ohms on the Coax side anyway, so it nicely offers containment of the RF above the feed point ? That is, nothing will leak down the Coax? Plus, creating the Balum hedges my bet, in case my tower install idea fails; and I have to find some trees for a Horizontal orientation.
Just checked to see if you have any new videos and worried to see there are no new ones. You were my first watch when i returned to the hobby after many years out. I do hope you are ok. A sincere 73 from Scotland MM0SDK.
DAVE! Hope all is well. Watched ALL your videos; go to the last video and realized you have not made any recent videos. I had an idea for a project that I have yet to see; maybe a 6 meter and 10 meter dual band vertical where the 10 meter is trapped. Take care my man!
Hi Dave, haven't seen many new videos from you lately would be nice to see some more, i watched your bazooka one the other day..from Fred g4vvq in England.
Dave, I built the 40/80 short dipole. I have not put it up on the tower yet but I just wanted to know how much power are you running when using your linear? Also I built the 1:1 balun using 18 Ga. enamel wire because I did not have 14 Ga. 73 Aldo VA3AG
Dave.. Thanks for you time and effort with these videos. Can this dipole be mounted inside my attic without affecting performance.? My attic is about 30 feet off the ground.
Hey Dave, great videos. I'm trying to find those non-insulated butt end connectors that allow you to solder in the middle. Any info would be appreciated.
At 6 minutes in I think the most important thing that everybody wants to know is what kind of wire that is that you have ?...the red curled up wire .... We need the exact name and size and everything written on that wire , the outer shell composite? if it's silicone ? every detail . that's how important that wire is to all of us in TH-cam land... thanks for sharing 🍸
Great video dave,,,,,,quick question: I realize the calculations would have to be different but is there any reason I should not use pvc coated wire for the coils? 73 KC9ZHR
Hello Dave, im fairly new to the hobby of Shortwave listening and enjoying it very much but would love to get in touch with you about what antenna might suit my situation best.
Hey Dave... Hope everything is well... I was wondering if you can build a Homemade 70cm vertical antenna.. too use with a repeater... there are so many people making the dual band 2 meter 440 or yagi antennas but nobody that I have come across making a single band 70 cm antenna... if you can and when you can that will be awesome... by the way.. I enjoy all your videos especially the 10 meter Pepsi dipole antenna and the 4 Element 2 meter yagi.. Best wishes from Florida Robert...
I noticed you used the analyzer to tune to the lowest SWR, but the impedance varied from 35 Ohms to 52. Is there a balance between the two you should tune to?
You should always tune as close to 50 Ohms as possible, that being said, the lower number is likely due to the fact that the antenna is an inverted-v, which is tied off less than a 1/2 wavelength to the ground. He'll still get good performance and the antenna being within reasonable SWR will still maintain resonance. Of course, every antenna has it's caveats. A tuner to clean up the 1.4:1 SWR will match the antenna effortlessly.
If you're open to using an end-fed rather than a dipole, you can't go wrong with the 6-40m end-fed from KX3Helper.com. I've also been able to use it on 80m with my LDG Z-11 Pro II tuner. Shoot me a PM and we can talk more if ya want!
I will assume this antenna was not designed to be stealthy. Lol. What effect (if any) would using a lighter gauge wire to create this trap dipole? Also, are you using solid or stranded wire? Thanks.
Hi Dave very good video, but in UK our band ends at 3.8mhz i would like my centre be about 3.750mhz..any idea what lenght the 80m section would need to be, thanks Paul
Hi Dave ive built the 40 80 inverted v wound 84 turns on coils, at 35 ft and 5ft 4inch for 80m section i find 40 metre has a nice dip at 7.25 megs which is too high in freq and 80 metre freq seems about 3.516 mhz but a poor dip and swr is 4.5-1 ive missed something? help paul
i live in a aptment , so i need a antenna i can take down quickly...so not a wire antenna. But what would be the best antenna for some good distance, on 70 cm or 2 meter????
This antenna design is for 40/75/80 meter HF radio. You _could_ run a long wire down the side of the building, painted the same color, with little attention drawn (most people will think it's a utility wire for telephone, etc). You'd need a tuner to use it and it won't have the same efficiency as this dipole. That being said, a magnetic loop for HF would probably be the way to go since it can be mounted indoors, just keep an eye on RF exposure given your close proximity to the antenna if you're running beyond 50 Watts. As far as the 2m/70cm idea, which won't propagate nearly as far as HF, you have a myriad of indoor options available to you, but I'd recommend a slim-jim antenna which is essentially a j-pole built out of ladder line. You can hang it from the ceiling, or even in front of a window in your apartment. You could also put up a 1/4 wave ground plane if you've got the space, but it won't look nearly as pretty inside. Hope this helps, 73. KE0IMD
Hello Dave, I've been a Ham for a couple of years now, and I must say that 80 Meters at night has become a big disappointment. I always believed that ham radio operators would respect the AARL core values, but what I've been hearing would make a sailor blush. Since the FCC no longer really regulated the ham-bands, it's really become a mess and, again, a disappointment... The QSO you made with David and mike was inspiring, but I would highly recommend staying away from 3.908 (the WARFA NET) on Tues, Thurs and Sunday nights until they clean it up - especially if there are children within earshot..
HEY DAVE !!! --- I got a challenge for you it is a straight one shot end feed wire #10 at 100 foot on a 1/1 balun. The reason for the challenge is imn thinking of putting one up but i have no way to test it right now I plan to stretch it between two trees with a insulator on the end of course. Mostly will be using it for Some QRP from a SDR prob about 40 miliwatts there not very strong if i can receive with it and if i can get it to a 1/1 then i may add a little kicker and make it like 100 - 150 watts not sure if this would work good so i need someone to help me out and make one and test it :) KG5CUO - JOHN
We miss you Dave. Hope all is going well please start making more videos if you can
Inverted V's work great, thanks for the great tuning tips. I miss your old intro video and music though.
Your videos are awesome; thank you for the detail you painstakingly include. I have been 'binge watching' those on 'Inverted V' antenna, over the past few weeks. My question is about Balum use.
And, I acknowledge that your web page said "The original diagram is that of a dipole antenna but it does not indicate the use of a balun. If this antenna is to be mounted as a horizontal dipole then I would recommend using a 1:1 air core or current balun for a better impedance match. Mounted as an Inverted V antenna the impedance is near 50 ohms without using a balun."
I must apologize in advance, if someone already asked my questions, and I didn't find their response. But, this will be my 1st HF antenna; and I want to start off on the best footing.
Background:-
I am hoping to successfully first hang your 20M 'Inverted V' off of a metal TV Tower, approximately 10' below a 18' VHF Yagi. which has a 9' Parabolic UHF antenna stacked above it.
My tower is about a foot away from my 62' wide house, which has a flat roof line about 11.5' above the physical ground. The tower rotor platform is about 45' above the physical ground. That seems to have more than enough room for a 20M Inverted V with a 90 to 120 degree spread; strung-up, just below the Rotor Box.
So, my Questions are these: -
Does it mess anything up, if I use your Balum on the Inverted V antennas anyway ?
Doesn't the 1:1 air core Balum still come out at 50 ohms on the Coax side anyway, so it nicely offers containment of the RF above the feed point ? That is, nothing will leak down the Coax?
Plus, creating the Balum hedges my bet, in case my tower install idea fails; and I have to find some trees for a Horizontal orientation.
Interesting Video Dave...
Works Great
Just checked to see if you have any new videos and worried to see there are no new ones. You were my first watch when i returned to the hobby after many years out. I do hope you are ok. A sincere 73 from Scotland MM0SDK.
Thanks for such interesting and useful video.73 from Ukraine.
DAVE! Hope all is well. Watched ALL your videos; go to the last video and realized you have not made any recent videos. I had an idea for a project that I have yet to see; maybe a 6 meter and 10 meter dual band vertical where the 10 meter is trapped. Take care my man!
Hi Dave, haven't seen many new videos from you lately would be nice to see some more, i watched your bazooka one the other day..from Fred g4vvq in England.
Thanks Dave 73
Dave, do you have plans for a 20/40m inverted V dipole?
Thanks Dave for this video. Can you please tell me what is the apex height of your vee?
Dave, I built the 40/80 short dipole. I have not put it up on the tower yet but I just wanted to know how much power are you running when using your linear? Also I built the 1:1 balun using 18 Ga. enamel wire because I did not have 14 Ga.
73
Aldo VA3AG
Dave.. Thanks for you time and effort with these videos. Can this dipole be mounted inside my attic without affecting performance.? My attic is about 30 feet off the ground.
Hey Dave, great videos. I'm trying to find those non-insulated butt end connectors that allow you to solder in the middle. Any info would be appreciated.
Hello Dave
Question : how many types of antennas can you put on 1 antenna cable. ( can you combine antennas onto 1 feed line ) ?
At 6 minutes in I think the most important thing that everybody wants to know is what kind of wire that is that you have ?...the red curled up wire .... We need the exact name and size and everything written on that wire , the outer shell composite? if it's silicone ? every detail . that's how important that wire is to all of us in TH-cam land... thanks for sharing 🍸
Great video dave,,,,,,quick question: I realize the calculations would have to be different but is there any reason I should not use pvc coated wire for the coils? 73 KC9ZHR
Thanks, 73
Hello Dave, im fairly new to the hobby of Shortwave listening and enjoying it very much but would love to get in touch with you about what antenna might suit my situation best.
Dave, I enjoy your videos, and thank you for your contributions. Have you tried a fan dipole in an inverted vee configuration?
1/4 length pyramid shape? Is that possible?
Dave, a full length fan dipole would perform better than a trapped or loaded dipole AND is easier to tune, assuming space is available.
Do you time 40 with the coils on or off?
Hi, Dave, can you show how to repurpose CB antenna for 6 meters would be a great video! Thx.
Hey Dave... Hope everything is well... I was wondering if you can build a Homemade 70cm vertical antenna.. too use with a repeater... there are so many people making the dual band 2 meter 440 or yagi antennas but nobody that I have come across making a single band 70 cm antenna... if you can and when you can that will be awesome... by the way.. I enjoy all your videos especially the 10 meter Pepsi dipole antenna and the 4 Element 2 meter yagi..
Best wishes from Florida Robert...
I know it's 5 years later but shouldn't SWR be what it is right at 50 Ohms? I will look this up also. Thank you for years of great information!
I noticed you used the analyzer to tune to the lowest SWR, but the impedance varied from 35 Ohms to 52. Is there a balance between the two you should tune to?
You should always tune as close to 50 Ohms as possible, that being said, the lower number is likely due to the fact that the antenna is an inverted-v, which is tied off less than a 1/2 wavelength to the ground. He'll still get good performance and the antenna being within reasonable SWR will still maintain resonance.
Of course, every antenna has it's caveats. A tuner to clean up the 1.4:1 SWR will match the antenna effortlessly.
Dave is it possible to get a dipole that goes from 6-80 m to be used with a tuner ? thanks O and 1st
If you're open to using an end-fed rather than a dipole, you can't go wrong with the 6-40m end-fed from KX3Helper.com. I've also been able to use it on 80m with my LDG Z-11 Pro II tuner. Shoot me a PM and we can talk more if ya want!
I will assume this antenna was not designed to be stealthy. Lol. What effect (if any) would using a lighter gauge wire to create this trap dipole? Also, are you using solid or stranded wire? Thanks.
Hi Dave very good video, but in UK our band ends at 3.8mhz i would like my centre be about 3.750mhz..any idea what lenght the 80m section would need to be, thanks Paul
Build the antenna as shown in the first video. You might have to shorten the 80 meter length by about 12 mm.
many thanks paul
Hi Dave ive built the 40 80 inverted v wound 84 turns on coils, at 35 ft and 5ft 4inch for 80m section i find 40 metre has a nice dip at 7.25 megs which is too high in freq and 80 metre freq seems about 3.516 mhz but a poor dip and swr is 4.5-1 ive missed something? help
paul
Dave you still alive sir? Miss you
i live in a aptment , so i need a antenna i can take down quickly...so not a wire antenna. But what would be the best antenna for some good distance, on 70 cm or 2 meter????
This antenna design is for 40/75/80 meter HF radio. You _could_ run a long wire down the side of the building, painted the same color, with little attention drawn (most people will think it's a utility wire for telephone, etc). You'd need a tuner to use it and it won't have the same efficiency as this dipole. That being said, a magnetic loop for HF would probably be the way to go since it can be mounted indoors, just keep an eye on RF exposure given your close proximity to the antenna if you're running beyond 50 Watts.
As far as the 2m/70cm idea, which won't propagate nearly as far as HF, you have a myriad of indoor options available to you, but I'd recommend a slim-jim antenna which is essentially a j-pole built out of ladder line. You can hang it from the ceiling, or even in front of a window in your apartment. You could also put up a 1/4 wave ground plane if you've got the space, but it won't look nearly as pretty inside.
Hope this helps, 73.
KE0IMD
J pole best bet. Or get a 2m 7cm mobile antenna just ground it should be ok
Hello Dave, I've been a Ham for a couple of years now, and I must say that 80 Meters at night has become a big disappointment. I always believed that ham radio operators would respect the AARL core values, but what I've been hearing would make a sailor blush. Since the FCC no longer really regulated the ham-bands, it's really become a mess and, again, a disappointment... The QSO you made with David and mike was inspiring, but I would highly recommend staying away from 3.908 (the WARFA NET) on Tues, Thurs and Sunday nights until they clean it up - especially if there are children within earshot..
Dave, where have you gone?
40, 60, and 80?
Are you still making vidios
The impedance match is much closer to 50 as well...
Where is Dave?
Still no word?
HEY DAVE !!! --- I got a challenge for you it is a straight one shot end feed wire #10 at 100 foot on a 1/1 balun. The reason for the challenge is imn thinking of putting one up but i have no way to test it right now I plan to stretch it between two trees with a insulator on the end of course. Mostly will be using it for Some QRP from a SDR prob about 40 miliwatts there not very strong
if i can receive with it and if i can get it to a 1/1 then i may add a little kicker and make it like 100 - 150 watts not sure if this would work good so i need someone to help me out and make one and test it :) KG5CUO - JOHN
Hmm .. hear shotguns ..