HAM RADIO: The Doublet Antenna & Ladderline

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ความคิดเห็น • 205

  • @TomG2NV
    @TomG2NV 3 ปีที่แล้ว +12

    My 88ft Doublet + big old Dentron Manual ATU is the stalwart of the home antenna set-up! It's been down through summer while I've been away working but it's going back up this week. They just work, oh and they're tuff as old boots, cost next to nothing to make/repair, can be zig-zag'd round to fit almost anywhere and don't draw too much attention! I'd say anyone looking for a multiband HF antenna should give the doublet a whirl first as last. (PS) Top tip buy the biggest manual ATU you can find/afford it will last several lifetimes, never loose money and tune a wet bootlace! 73, Tom.

    • @timg5tm941
      @timg5tm941  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Spot on Tom!!

    • @g0fvt
      @g0fvt 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @goinghomesomeday1 fwiw I have the SPC3000D, the rollercoil is a bit wimpy but have only got it hot once. (at far less than 3kW). Very good tuners though. The 300 is a better looking device than the 3000.

    • @davecarty6503
      @davecarty6503 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @goinghomesomeday1 Same here... fantastic bit of kit!!

    • @frankmooney7282
      @frankmooney7282 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      My doublet is 102 ft( shhhsssss, She's a old g5rv that I threw away the coax and ran it as doublet.) Works fair on 75m and tunes the rest. 1.2 swr at 6.889Mhz.

    • @timg5tm941
      @timg5tm941  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Do you find it better as a doublet Frank?

  • @fredarchibald2600
    @fredarchibald2600 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Well explained! My first 160 or so DXCC countries were worked using a 102' doublet. While I've since used a doublet fed with 450 ohm twin-lead, that first one used 2 runs of RG8x in parallel . At the top the 2 shields were soldered together and the 2 center conductors went to the 2 doublet legs. At the bottom the the shields went to tuner and radio ground and the two center conductors went to a 4:1 balun. A 2:1 would have been better since the Z of the lead-in was 100 ohms. The advantage of this arrangement was that the feedline could be laid on the roof, run across metal window frames and lie against tower or mast metal with no adverse effects. It worked very well!

  • @MrK9trq
    @MrK9trq 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    HEAR HEAR ! I've been a ham since 1972 and my favorite part of the hobby is antennas and the magic they do ! my last antenna was a 160 meter loop fed with 600 ohm up an average of 80 feet and in the shape of a hexagon , I was blessed with very high soil conductivity well beyond the Fresnel Zone. My favorite reports were things said like "that K9TRQ is definitely running illegal power" lol

    • @timg5tm941
      @timg5tm941  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Ha! Sounds a great antenna 73

  • @randalltom9750
    @randalltom9750 2 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    In my experience over many years of Portable Operations afield, a Doublet remains my favorite antenna. Half-wave End-Feds are easier to deploy, but for best results, doublets.

  • @francismusso7644
    @francismusso7644 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I have been a ham since 1959 and loved every minute of it. My favorite part of this hobby is experimenting with various antenna set ups. I want to share a phenomena I have consistently encountered with a Windom antenna. My set up is a feed point at 1/3 of its total length and feed with 300 ohm Twin lead and an ATU, (cut for 80 Meter band). With the Antenna at a height of 7 to 9 feet off the ground I consistently got 5/9 signal reports (many with 30 to 40 db over S9), and I was running only 75 to 90 watts output. The big signal usually occurred for stations 75 to 200 miles from me both day and night time. Best 73s every one.. The old Elmer Frank WA2NRC

    • @timg5tm941
      @timg5tm941  ปีที่แล้ว

      Great information Frank, thank you 73

  • @enzed1190
    @enzed1190 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Thank you for this Tim. I found it a very helpful explanation of the principles so will approach making the doublet with a little more confidence :)

  • @billbrown3414
    @billbrown3414 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    I've used a doublet antenna fed with ladder line for 50 years, and it has been quite effective as an all-band antenna--if the tuner can handle the matching. After I bought a NanoVNA, I discovered that there were several frequencies in the HF range at which the impedance presented at the tuner was almost exactly 50-ohms. I currently have a roughly 175-ft doublet fed with about 70-ft of home-brew 400-ohm open-wire line. I discovered this antenna/feedline combination yielded a 50-ohm load around 4.4-MHz. I did some quick calculations and added wire to the antenna to move the 50-ohm frequency down into the 75-m band where I am most often active. Now I have a perfect match with the tuner bypassed; I only need the 1:1 balun to operate. I mentioned tuner range: I still use the tuner for the other bands, but it would not work on 10-m. I swept the 25-30 MHz range and found another 50-ohm impedance at 29.5 MHz. I could have added more wire to move the "resonance" down to the 10-m CW/digital frequencies, but that would also change the 75-m frequency. I experimented instead with a couple of "patch cords" of ladder line added at the shack-end of the feeder. I found that a 2-1/2-ft section of feeder moved the 50-ohm match frequency right to the FT-8 frequency. This allows me to run FT-4/8 without the tuner.
    So, although the doublet is a good mult-iband antenna, a little experimentation and the right instrumentation can make a doublet/feedline combination into a very effective single-frequency antenna, too.

    • @timg5tm941
      @timg5tm941  11 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Great job - it is hard to match the doublet for multiple bands and simplicity of design and performance.

  • @duanecjohnson
    @duanecjohnson 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    John Portune W6NBC has done a bunch of tests on ladder line and find little problem with it running close to metal siding.
    He showed you can even burry it in the ground using plastic drainpipe with little loss.
    AD0TJ

  • @user-xl1bf5di9v
    @user-xl1bf5di9v 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    This presentation evoke great thinking.
    So, I appreciate it, very much.

    • @timg5tm941
      @timg5tm941  2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thank you for your kind comments.

  • @cx5fk
    @cx5fk 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Hi Tim. Very much in agreement with open lines. My experience of years experiencing doublets loops and many more. There is no doubt that we were not the discoverers but we were some good experimented users. I have seen some of the videos you have and they are very good, very well explained and with good content, thank you for that. I think I have read each and every one of the excellent Cebik articles and with a lot of useful information, great job recommending them. Greetings from CX Tierra Ed.

    • @timg5tm941
      @timg5tm941  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thank you very much for your encouragement and I agree with you about doublets and loops. So versatile and easy to construct. Thanks again for stopping by and commenting 73

  • @gerryorlandostagehand3705
    @gerryorlandostagehand3705 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I just picked up a MFJ-962D manual tuner just my Doublet project.
    Great video thank you.

    • @timg5tm941
      @timg5tm941  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Hope it works well for you. 73

  • @g0fvt
    @g0fvt 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Well presented information, well done. Beware that one of the references in the comparison is "open wire" which is usually wider spaced and with less dielectric than the 450 ohm feeder. I did previously use home made open wire but have now gone the easier route of using 450 ohm ladder line. For operating convenience the ZS6BKW is worth a look, it offers a reasonable SWR on a number of bands for those times you may not want to use a tuner. A common mode choke type balun is obviously advisable.

  • @balavantkulkarni2874
    @balavantkulkarni2874 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Wonderful and exciting information. Thanks Tim

  • @Ray_M0MXN
    @Ray_M0MXN 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Another informative video Tim, thanks very much 👌👍👌

    • @timg5tm941
      @timg5tm941  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thanks Ray 👍👍

  • @marklowe7431
    @marklowe7431 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Amazing antenna and amazing video. So easy to follow.

    • @timg5tm941
      @timg5tm941  2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Glad it helped - many thanks!

  • @Chris_KS5KY
    @Chris_KS5KY 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Last year I left my 80m OCFD for a 160m doublet. My goal was to have an antenna that would function on as many bands as possible from a single feedline into the shack. The doublet is it. Sure it's a compromise antenna as so many are but I no longer have a common mode issue in the shack as I had with the OCFD and I've noticed a remarkable improvement in overall operation and again nothing hanging around inside like before. Thank you for your video and hope to catch you on the bands sometime, KD5BFF.

    • @timg5tm941
      @timg5tm941  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Great to hear the doublet works well for you.

  • @MatthiasLenardt
    @MatthiasLenardt 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thanks for sharing your insights 👋

  • @chuckrann9784
    @chuckrann9784 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Good advice Tim. Updating antennas here so ordered a 102 foot doublet (basic multi band) from DX Engineering with 450 ohm ladder line and was wondering about a 1:1 Balun. Will build one with grandson as a project. 73.

  • @HamRadioAdventures
    @HamRadioAdventures ปีที่แล้ว

    Thanks for the video, you do an awesome job with this. You're a natural! Best 73 and DX!

    • @timg5tm941
      @timg5tm941  ปีที่แล้ว

      Thank you very much!

  • @ianxfs
    @ianxfs 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thanks Tim! Yes, on the horizontal multi-band wire front, there’s pros and cons with doublets, loops and ocfds. You could do a part #2 & part #3 👍🏻

  • @nickaxe771
    @nickaxe771 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Good video Tim....never looked back from the day I built my doublet 2 years ago....56mts long fed with 450ohm ladder line.
    The ladder line terminates at a 1to1 current balun on the window sill of my shack...from that its 50ohm coax through the window frame to my manual MFJ 941 tuner 18ins away inside the shack.
    Lets me tune and get out well on 160m plus 80/60/40/30/20/17/15/10/ and amazingly 6m.
    To me its the onlt antenna req....its in a Z config to fit inside my plot.

    • @timg5tm941
      @timg5tm941  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thanks Nick they are superb antennas I agree. Sounds like you love yours too 73

    • @bobbyt2788
      @bobbyt2788 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Can you share your source or design for the 1:1 Balun? I am getting all kinds of conflicting information. Thanks

  • @ZL1BQDRoly
    @ZL1BQDRoly 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Another great video Tim... cheers

    • @timg5tm941
      @timg5tm941  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thank you Roly 73

  • @mike-M0MSN
    @mike-M0MSN 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Nice Video Tim, some great information.. :) you can see your teaching qualification coming out here.. brilliant

    • @timg5tm941
      @timg5tm941  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thanks mate, really appreciate this 73

  • @brianshanahan3878
    @brianshanahan3878 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

    excellent video and explanations sir.

    • @timg5tm941
      @timg5tm941  4 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Thank you!

  • @MatthiasLenardt
    @MatthiasLenardt 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Kept watching today again.
    Really good reminder 😊
    Many greetings,
    Matthias 👋
    DL1NDG

    • @timg5tm941
      @timg5tm941  2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Thank you! Cheers!

  • @derekthwaytes4689
    @derekthwaytes4689 ปีที่แล้ว

    Hello Tim,
    I use a cobra doublet, with a ladder line mounted in the centre using 2x 3mtr wooden mast supports o convienience of non conduction I then terminate this in the shack to a mfj 4:1 balun, which then runs through a AT180H auto tuner, an I find it very flexible for band coverage,.
    I find the ladder line easy to handle, in fact once the feeder comes off the mast to he shack mounted on support poles, my garden allows me to put this antenna straight out., and once it gets back to the shack I bend it and use 30mm water pipe to gain access for easy maintance

    • @timg5tm941
      @timg5tm941  ปีที่แล้ว

      Sounds a great set up

  • @radioastronomy2001
    @radioastronomy2001 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Very good video, I am using ZS6BKW and it covers 80m with the automatic tuner. The antenna is not very large and fits nicely my urban lot when installed on a 12m spiderbeam. 5-10W on FT8 gives me pretty much global coverage.

    • @timg5tm941
      @timg5tm941  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Excellent. You are clearly making the most of your QTH. Thanks for stopping by and commenting 73

  • @che59v
    @che59v 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Using a doublet, works great, 15 m each side, the last 5m on each side goes down 45 degrees ( to suit the property ),it tunes well all over the bands, great cheap antenna.
    Now trying to get a vertical attached the same way, ie, inverted v with one leg up in the air ( 10m in my case ). 73 and thanks for the video

    • @timg5tm941
      @timg5tm941  3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Sounds a useful experiment. Glad you’ve found these antennas have worked for you too. 73

    • @redman840
      @redman840 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      che59v...A vertical dipole,fed with window line,would achieve the same results,in addition to having a low takeoff angle of radiation

  • @dj6orandrew915
    @dj6orandrew915 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Confirmed over 150 countries on my 80ft doublet fed through a Palstar balanced tuner. Hope to get one up again someday.

    • @timg5tm941
      @timg5tm941  3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Great example 👍

  • @BikerBytes
    @BikerBytes 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Great stuff! I’m really getting into this antenna building lark thanks to your excellent videos 👍 73 VK4FJST

    • @timg5tm941
      @timg5tm941  3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      That’s great to hear thank you! 73

  • @Scif64
    @Scif64 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Nice Video Tim, i am looking to make some ladder line slimjims for 6m, 2m, 70cm i could either hang out the window or from the curtain rail.

    • @timg5tm941
      @timg5tm941  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Superb idea they work well

    • @justinbaines1
      @justinbaines1 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Made a 2m one for /p , works great , made a second one for 2m and mounted it horizontal, that works great for ssb

  • @Ragchewer
    @Ragchewer ปีที่แล้ว +1

    220 foot doublet with 180 feet of 300 ohm ladder line. Into the shack through PVC pipe. 4:1 balun on the floor. Short piece of RG-213 into my MFJ-998 auto tuner; 160-10 meters is simply great. NEVER NEED ANOTHER HF ANTENNA! It even does 6 meters with my IC-7300 internal auto tuner.
    W6PDL

  • @granitebuilt5836
    @granitebuilt5836 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Is there a preferred method of creating a quick-disconnect connection between the coax and the transceiver? Thanks for all the great antenna videos you create! Lots of practical info.

    • @timg5tm941
      @timg5tm941  3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Hi and thank you. I do not know of such a thing. Can anyone jump in here and assist?

    • @chrisjones8741
      @chrisjones8741 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      For HTs, I’ve seen people use BNC, with adaptors if need be. Easy on and off, eg for hooking up in the car. I’m just getting into HF so I’m not sure about that, not sure you couldn’t also use BNC though?

    • @dltellet
      @dltellet 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      I don't know if it is right, but I have my ladder line coming into the shack via separate holes in the wall and then into a good sized knife switch. Line continues on into a auto tuner. I don't know if the switch is good enough for a lightning strike but probably okay to protect from static buildup.

    • @timg5tm941
      @timg5tm941  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Sounds pretty workable to me 👍

  • @vincenzofidanza2539
    @vincenzofidanza2539 ปีที่แล้ว

    Agree with you and other hams like Cebik. There is a another linear loaded antenna the Cobra. it can be made with ladder line spanning a total of 12 meters. M0PTZ made one and is only 1 db down to a full length dipole on the cut frequency 80 meters i suppose. Just cut 20-21 feet of 450 Ohm ladder line fold each side 3 times on itself and you get a full length antenna on 80 meters.

    • @timg5tm941
      @timg5tm941  ปีที่แล้ว

      Yes good old linear loading!

  • @mowtown75
    @mowtown75 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Great info thx

  • @mattbates6887
    @mattbates6887 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    You should use a proper balanced ATU with a doublet, to get most power from the transmitter into the antenna, and not an ATU that has an internal 4:1 balun. Feeder radiation from a doublet is possible, if a proper balanced ATU is not used. Most doublet ham antenna installations are far from ideal, due to antenna height restrictions, nearby building obstructions and difficulty in getting the balanced line into the shack to a balanced ATU. So there will be some induced RF losses because of this, and they will be greater the higher in frequency the doublet is used. From my own my experience with just 10W to a 100ft doublet on 80 and 40 in good NVIS conditions, a signal of 59+ 20 should be possible with stations well over a few hundred miles or so quite easily. Yes just 10Watts!

  • @robduncan599
    @robduncan599 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    I have tried many size doubles i find the best size is just a bit short or just a bit longer than 1/2 wave on the lowest band . I find more important than length, is try to get it out in the clear and symmetrical, not always easy ? But in the clear and symmetrical as pos .
    I am a big doublet fan !
    I am lucky enough to have the space for a large and medium size doublet 70metre (230 feet )and a 39 metre (128 feet ) both work great . I concur with your findings .

    • @timg5tm941
      @timg5tm941  2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Totally agree with that Rob 73

  • @acestudioscouk-Ace-G0ACE
    @acestudioscouk-Ace-G0ACE ปีที่แล้ว

    Some good information here, I'm looking for the video in which you bring the feedline into your new shack now!

    • @timg5tm941
      @timg5tm941  ปีที่แล้ว

      I had issues doing that so eventually reverted back to a Balun solution

    • @acestudioscouk-Ace-G0ACE
      @acestudioscouk-Ace-G0ACE ปีที่แล้ว

      @@timg5tm941 I seem to remember that now, thanks for the reply. Mine will come through a wood wall, so I might be lucky... I let you know!

    • @timg5tm941
      @timg5tm941  ปีที่แล้ว

      Nice one!

  • @christerpstra6032
    @christerpstra6032 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thanks for the video Tim. One question: does the diameter of the wire play any role? Or is length/height more important? Cheers, Chris PA0TVI

    • @timg5tm941
      @timg5tm941  2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Length and height imho

    • @christerpstra6032
      @christerpstra6032 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@timg5tm941 tnx, I will experiment some more 👍

  • @superconductorchip9072
    @superconductorchip9072 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Can you show us your Bolts though your wall ? I would love to get an idea of what it would look like before I start Drilling.
    Great Video Thanks

    • @timg5tm941
      @timg5tm941  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Video being made about the antenna set up and installation.. stay tuned! 73

  • @gousa2005
    @gousa2005 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Would this antenna also work well on 160 meters? Great video and very informative... answered a lot of questions I had! Thank you! 73's

    • @timg5tm941
      @timg5tm941  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      It needs to be about a minimum of a 1/3 wave to have a chance of doing a respectable job on 160 so about 170 feet or more could load up ok on 160. 73

    • @gousa2005
      @gousa2005 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@timg5tm941 thanks for the reply! Look forward to seeing your future videos!

    • @timg5tm941
      @timg5tm941  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      My pleasure and thank you! 73

  • @PatAutrey
    @PatAutrey 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    I was wondering if you ever use a manual tuner for an end fed half wave antenna or do you only use the tuner for doublets

    • @timg5tm941
      @timg5tm941  2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Hi Pat. The efhw does not need a tuner as it is resonant on the main Halfwave plus harmonics. I use a tuner just for my doublets. 73

  • @frankmooney7282
    @frankmooney7282 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    My 102 ft doublet is old g5rv at 33 ft that I threw away the coax and ran it with 84 ft of ladder line. 75m to 10m.

    • @timg5tm941
      @timg5tm941  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Better than the G5RV Frank?

    • @frankmooney7282
      @frankmooney7282 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Not sure, as I could speak to origional g5rv.

  • @Nathan1975Liggy
    @Nathan1975Liggy 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Hi Tim.
    I am curently making a doublet of 20 meters 10 meters per side so a half wave on 40m, so it should work 40 and up.
    I have a few questions though.
    When you say laderline should not be a multiple of a halfwave on any of the bands I dont understand what you meen by a multiple.
    Could you elaberate on this for me please and give me a rough length to cut my 450 ohm ladder line to for a halfwave on 40m doublet.
    Also what ballun should I have at the end of the ladder line 9:1 or 4:1? my tuner a LDG Z11 Pro 2 only has so-239 sockets, so need to run a balun before it as I cant feed the lader line directly to the tunner, also it will be in a loft so only laderline in the loft to a balun into the tunner (In the Loft) and then a coax feed of about 25 feet to the shack/bedroom.
    Sorry for the questions 73 Nathan 2E0LIG

    • @timg5tm941
      @timg5tm941  2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Hi Nathan. My advice is to feed it with the length of 450 ohm required and then see. The thing I would suggest is to use a 1:1 current balun as a 4:1 might reduce the imepedance below what your tuner can cope with. A 9:1 is similarly not advised. 73

  • @francismusso7644
    @francismusso7644 ปีที่แล้ว

    Your most efficient doublet will be with any with even 1/2 wave length increments in length and fed by a 1/2 wave of ladder line for your lowest band. This prevents significant radiation from the feed line. Of course you want the antenna height at 1/2 wave above real ground for your typical doughnut radiation pattern to form and multiple lobes on the higher bands. A balanced ATU is the best to use with this antenna.. Best 73s WA2NRC

  • @richardschnedorf5711
    @richardschnedorf5711 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    So, what do you think of the G5RV antenna and should one put a balun at the latter line to coax interface?

    • @timg5tm941
      @timg5tm941  2 ปีที่แล้ว

      They work for many people. I would put a choke balun there yes - just to make doubly sure you avoid any common mode on the coax to the shack.

  • @ianbardell8030
    @ianbardell8030 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Great video Tim.
    How does the doublet compare to a 80m ocf dipole using either a 6:1 or 4:1 balun.
    I presently have a 80m ocf dipole with a 6:1 balun with the longer leg running up the garden then back down, then the shorter leg going down the garden so it covers nearly all points of the compass

    • @timg5tm941
      @timg5tm941  3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Shouldn’t think there’s a lot of difference. I’m just wary of the enhanced probability of common mode with Ocf dipoles but if you can tame it then good on you. 73 and thanks for stopping by and commenting 73

    • @ianbardell8030
      @ianbardell8030 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@timg5tm941 That's one problem I do suffer from is the common mode to an extent, however I am slowly getting to grips with it.
      I will try the doublet antenna and compare the two

    • @timg5tm941
      @timg5tm941  3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Will be interesting to see how they compare. Good luck

  • @mikedavis6033
    @mikedavis6033 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Tim, I recently did some doublet maintenance, remaking connections and looking for any broken wires. After putting everything back together, I wondered how important it is to have all connections the same width as the 450ohm window line itself, say 1 inch. My connection point screws are 1 inch apart, but I wrapped the stranded dipole wires around the screws with a washer below and above, then threaded the nut and sandwiched the wires between the 2 washers. My question is, the distance betweens the washer edges is more like .5 (1/2) inch now. Will this affect the antenna operation in any way, in your opinion? I hope not. It seems to be working well, as before but may be a tad more sensitive to tune w my manual open wire line balanced tuner. Thanks

    • @timg5tm941
      @timg5tm941  2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Hi Mike. Can I confirm that the only change is that the two radiating wires are slightly closer together. So the ladderline is therefore the same.

    • @mikedavis6033
      @mikedavis6033 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@timg5tm941 well, the window line and dipole wires are on the same threaded stud, so the washer dimension of approximately 1 half inch brings everything together, even though rhe stud/posts are 1 inch apart. I can draw what I mean or if unclear, drop the antenna and take a photo sent to your email. Sorry but it's hard to describe. 73

    • @mikedavis6033
      @mikedavis6033 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      I sent an email photo of a sketch I made of my connections

    • @timg5tm941
      @timg5tm941  2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Have replied 👍

  • @PatAutrey
    @PatAutrey 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Hey Tim quick question for you have you ever used a reflector wire on a doublet? Where the reflector would be mounted close to the ground just below the inverted V. And have you also used the director essentially making it a wire YAGI

    • @timg5tm941
      @timg5tm941  7 หลายเดือนก่อน

      No to both Pat but I’d like to try it

  • @anthonycosta1776
    @anthonycosta1776 ปีที่แล้ว

    I have a zs2bkw dipole 95 feet AGL flat top. It's a flame thrower on 40 through 15. Almost as good on 20 as my hy gain 203 3 element mono bander up at 40 feet. Sometimes the zs6 does as good or better in certain directions

  • @georgebodley8068
    @georgebodley8068 ปีที่แล้ว

    I'm a fan of the doublet but have come across the ZS6BKW an antenna that's very easy to match to your radio it's bent in a weird m fashion but works ok perhaps you could do a video on that as well unless you have done so and I missed it

    • @timg5tm941
      @timg5tm941  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I’m planning to have a look at the ZS6BKW for sure

  • @azcharlie2009
    @azcharlie2009 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    I'd like to build a doublet for 80 meters and above. But, I live in Arizona, and the trees just don't go much about 20 or 30 feet. So, can you run ladder line straight down and then along the ground? I'd also like to terminate the ladder line into coax before entering the house. Is that alright if you have a balun or choke on the coax, and you keep it short? Thanks! Rick W0SKI

    • @timg5tm941
      @timg5tm941  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Hi Rick! Unfortunately you can’t run ladderline along the ground as this would cause it to become imbalanced and radiate ... causing you big issues in terms of rf in the shack. You can terminate it into a 1:1 current Balun and then a short as possible coax run to a tuner 73.

    • @paulsengupta971
      @paulsengupta971 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Wouldn't you want a 4:1 balun?

    • @timg5tm941
      @timg5tm941  3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@paulsengupta971 depends on the impedance Match. Some tuners find it harder to match low impedances.. which is what a 4:1 might provide. In my experience 90% of the time a 1:1 provides a better match.

  • @PatAutrey
    @PatAutrey 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Hi Tim, is it possible to have a doublet without having an external antenna tuner? The radio has a tuner built-in but will only accommodate a 3:1 SWR - Thank you in advance for your time and response

    • @timg5tm941
      @timg5tm941  2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Hi pat. It is possible but not for all bands and would need a specific length of ladderline. 99% of the time you need an external tuner.

    • @PatAutrey
      @PatAutrey 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@timg5tm941 Well I'm the proud papa of a new MFG 491E tuner, so will be joining the ranks of Doubletiers soon enough

  • @martindrury9740
    @martindrury9740 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    I would struggle to get ladder line into the shack but was wondering could you use ladder line for the legs of a fan dipole with a balun say for 40 and 20? 73

    • @timg5tm941
      @timg5tm941  3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Yes you can I’ve done the same for 10 and 17

    • @martindrury9740
      @martindrury9740 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Could it work for a inverted V fan dipole.

    • @timg5tm941
      @timg5tm941  3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Absolutely .. have a look at my fan dipole video from the summer

    • @martindrury9740
      @martindrury9740 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@timg5tm941 Cheers I will. 73

  • @robertharden4092
    @robertharden4092 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I’ve actually made antennas with ladder line before. And coax so what’s the point?

  • @James_Bowie
    @James_Bowie ปีที่แล้ว

    The loss figures using 450 ohm ladder line are impressive, but to those how much loss does the tuner add?

    • @timg5tm941
      @timg5tm941  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      A decent tuner? Less than a dB depending on how much strain you are exerting on it and how short the antenna in comparison to a 1/2 wave

    • @James_Bowie
      @James_Bowie ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@timg5tm941 Thanks.

  • @brucekempf4648
    @brucekempf4648 ปีที่แล้ว

    what would happen if I only used a few feet of ladder line in an attic antenna and went to a 4:1 Balun then ran coax from the attic to my tuner and radio?

    • @timg5tm941
      @timg5tm941  ปีที่แล้ว

      Yep can be done. Just try and keep that run of coax as short as possible to minimise loss

  • @justinbaines1
    @justinbaines1 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Does a doublet need to be in a straight line or can you bend it?

    • @timg5tm941
      @timg5tm941  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Hi Justin it can be bent as long as the angles don’t fall below 90 degrees. Check out an earlier video I did last year on the 80m doublet for proof. 73

  • @itsonlyme9938
    @itsonlyme9938 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Hi there also 600 ohm twin feeder why use 450 and not 600 are there any disadvantage between the two ?

    • @timg5tm941
      @timg5tm941  2 ปีที่แล้ว

      600 is slightly less lossy on longer runs

  • @DougNetherton
    @DougNetherton ปีที่แล้ว

    I suspect that if you use the same lengths as the optimum lengths of the random wire antenna, you will not have any problems with tuning the doublet. Doug VE3MCF

  • @rivit90
    @rivit90 ปีที่แล้ว

    hi tim , can you off set the feed point on a doublet ? If so would it effect things cheers

    • @timg5tm941
      @timg5tm941  ปีที่แล้ว

      You can, in theory, but I’d be mindful of creating an unbalanced antenna fed with balanced feedline and the likelihood of increased common mode into the shack

    • @rivit90
      @rivit90 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@timg5tm941 cheers mate , ill probably stick to the recommended fed in the middle ,, much appreciated

    • @timg5tm941
      @timg5tm941  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@rivit90 you’ll enjoy it I’m sure 73

  • @paulhastings3109
    @paulhastings3109 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thanks KQ4CD Paul

    • @timg5tm941
      @timg5tm941  2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Cheers Paul

    • @paulhastings3109
      @paulhastings3109 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@timg5tm941 on your double
      You used ladder line or 4-1 to the shack then 4-1 and a short piece of coax. How long was the double. Or iam just confused

  • @forthy62
    @forthy62 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Great video Tim. You convinced me to build a Doublet. I have no experiences with ladder-line. Is it a problem to lay it on the ground? Or should I raise it with some plastic tubes? 73, Stephan, DF6PA

    • @timg5tm941
      @timg5tm941  3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Hi Stephan thanks for commenting. You need to keep the ladderline off the ground by at least a few feet and avoid coiling it up. Hope that helps 73

    • @forthy62
      @forthy62 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@timg5tm941 Thanks for the fast reply. Good to know! 73

    • @timg5tm941
      @timg5tm941  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      My pleasure, let me know how you progress with the project 73

  • @andyM7XTT
    @andyM7XTT 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Hi Tim,iam making a 102ft doublet now BUT going to put it at the top of my 12m steel crank up mast which is attached to my house so the legs will run straight down the garden but worried how to run my ladderline straight down without it interfering or touching the metal?? Sorry but racking my brain over this any ideas?? Thankyou

    • @timg5tm941
      @timg5tm941  2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Hi Andy - could you attach some sort of plastic stand offs to the pole - a few inches long?

    • @andyM7XTT
      @andyM7XTT 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@timg5tm941 hi Tim yes I did that but too much interaction as could only get an angle of around 40° between the legs so took it down n put the cobweb back up :)

    • @timg5tm941
      @timg5tm941  2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@andyM7XTT ah ok Andy

  • @mytube7473
    @mytube7473 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

    as 450 is a 9 to 1 miss match, would a 9 to 1 balun then be the best choice?

    • @timg5tm941
      @timg5tm941  2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      No - see my other reply

  • @DJ-ul1ml
    @DJ-ul1ml 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Which the best antenna..GP or dipole antenna

    • @timg5tm941
      @timg5tm941  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      All depends on factors such as how high your dipole is for example.

  • @jamesb1307
    @jamesb1307 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Will this work with a built in tuner

    • @timg5tm941
      @timg5tm941  3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Unlikely .. you would need an external atu

  • @BoB4jjjjs
    @BoB4jjjjs 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Maybe hear you on the waves after you put your Doublet up. Though you won't get a reply (yet).

    • @timg5tm941
      @timg5tm941  3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Look forward to a future QSO Bob 73

    • @BoB4jjjjs
      @BoB4jjjjs 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@timg5tm941 When the cold dark nights set in I will be reading, still got an aerial problem to get round though! I would struggle to get down there on 10 watts though, unless there was a lift on.

  • @silverbullet7804
    @silverbullet7804 ปีที่แล้ว

    How much ladder line can I feed with doublet how many feet?

    • @timg5tm941
      @timg5tm941  ปีที่แล้ว

      As much ladder line as you need

    • @silverbullet7804
      @silverbullet7804 ปีที่แล้ว

      Does it have to be a certain increment of feed line to stay away from ? Some ham operators say it effects the performance ?

  • @kevinconnolly6330
    @kevinconnolly6330 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    so the G5RV is a doublet?

    • @timg5tm941
      @timg5tm941  3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Not quite. It relies on a precise length of ladderline to match it on certain frequencies. The issue with a G5 for some is that the coax run from the ladderline to the radio can lead to considerable losses especially on higher HF bands such as 15 and 10m. If you either use a short few feet of low loss coax between a 1:1 Balun and tuner or ladderline all the way to a balanced tuner you would negate so much of these potential losses. The G5 works much better if the coax run from ladderline to radio is a short one. 73

    • @RobCompton59
      @RobCompton59 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@timg5tm941 Dear old G3FCM used to describe the G5RV as a wire dummy load. It matches on the bands, but doesn't radiate very well (compared to a resonant dipole).

  • @hedgerowpete
    @hedgerowpete 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    your normally spot on with your helpful videos, but 2 minutes in and you had lost me completely,

  • @shanerorko8076
    @shanerorko8076 ปีที่แล้ว

    One con you don't mention is that a balanced tuner is expensive. A ZS6BKW needs far less tuner the comparison in AUD is like $190 for a manual MFJ tuner to tune a ZS6BKW. The cheapest balanced tuner from the same store is $495.
    Thanks.
    Shane VK1NME.

    • @timg5tm941
      @timg5tm941  ปีที่แล้ว

      Yep although a 1:1 current Balun and a short piece of coax between the ladder-line and any auto tuner will work just as well in the real world

  • @MrRadiorobot
    @MrRadiorobot 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Ladder line = Don't use a multiple of any half wave? So what lengths should be used? Do you have examples of what should be used? This is what puts me off building a doublet..always feels like dabbling in black magic. The other problem is, you do an Internet search on constructing a doublet you are given conflicting information ie 'combinations of feedline electrical length plus one leg of the radiator that are odd multiples of an eighth-wavelength' what? I am completely baffled. 😂😂

    • @timg5tm941
      @timg5tm941  7 หลายเดือนก่อน

      To be honest I just whack it up and go from there

  • @petenikolic5244
    @petenikolic5244 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Half size G5RV but it MUST BE made with hard drawn copper NOT flexweave

    • @petenikolic5244
      @petenikolic5244 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @goinghomesomeday1 well this si from experience and every time i have had the same result as have other people

    • @petenikolic5244
      @petenikolic5244 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @goinghomesomeday1 for some reason and i have to admit i have not put much effeort into it right now the half size G5 made with flexweave is much harder to tune will not tune on 17 mtrs at all and objects to 40 mtrs also does not perform as well the hard drawn copper one on the other hand and they are identical sizes you can lay them, on top of each other to with

    • @petenikolic5244
      @petenikolic5244 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      in about 3 mm they match the hard drawn one tunes no problem on 17 meters works a treat on 40 mtrs works reasonably well on 60 mtrs even 80 mtrs is useable and this is using an MFJ 954E at Yaesu FC757at or my favorite tuner the LDG Z100 best one of the lot

  • @forgetyourlife
    @forgetyourlife 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Lost me pretty early. I think ill stick with commercial antennas for now.

    • @paulsengupta971
      @paulsengupta971 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      It's easy enough, two equal lengths (or even unequal lengths will work!) of wire fed by ladder line into a tuner, as long as the tuner has a wire input. That's about it. If the tuner doesn't have a built in balun, add a 4:1 balun externally at the end of the ladder line.

  • @rtoledo2
    @rtoledo2 11 หลายเดือนก่อน

    zs6grv " suffers from the creator not being born in England " you know its better and smaller

    • @timg5tm941
      @timg5tm941  11 หลายเดือนก่อน

      ZS6BKW - tends to be better on 40. But the G5RV tends to sing on 20. Both antennas are also good and not so good on a mixture of the higher bands.

    • @rtoledo2
      @rtoledo2 11 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@timg5tm941 yes that's what it was designed for , the fact the g5rw works on other bands is lucky ?

  • @stephenwalters9891
    @stephenwalters9891 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    How about a Double Bazooka... Just a hint....

    • @timg5tm941
      @timg5tm941  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Aren’t these single band antennas?

    • @stephenwalters9891
      @stephenwalters9891 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@timg5tm941 Yes and no...
      radioaficion.com/cms/build-a-double-bazooka-antenna/
      th-cam.com/video/1zgMa2Djh1s/w-d-xo.html

    • @ronnys7110
      @ronnys7110 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      A double bazooka is always monoband

    • @davejackson6842
      @davejackson6842 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      An awful lot of wild claims made about this antenna, and why would you want to string up a heavy piece of co-ax rather than a much lighter piece of wire ?
      owenduffy.net/blog/?p=1941

  • @op-tx8ub
    @op-tx8ub 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Himen MeneA AntenFor Kenwood 3207WakeTakeUhfFm Tankyo

  • @knudjoergenolesen-jensen7770
    @knudjoergenolesen-jensen7770 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Why are the measurement not in the international metrec system, so we all know what you are talking about?!

  • @jamesharrison-eg8mu
    @jamesharrison-eg8mu 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Ive been using a 80mtr doublet for over 25yrs. Always works every time! 73 kr4wu.

    • @timg5tm941
      @timg5tm941  4 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Great antennas