Six Meter Dipole

[tonyridlen]

Randy,

It didn't look like my post went through the first time I was wondering if I could get on 6 Meters

with the same antenna that I use for 160 through 10.

I don't have enough room in my apartment or out side of it to use an Element 3 Yagi. I was just wondering if you could provide me with any necessary guidance on this matter.

73's.

Tony Ridlen KC9QVE Kokomo,IN

[K7AGE]

@tonyridlen Maybe, that antenna may be too long for an antenna tuner to tune it to 6M.

[tonyridlen]

@K7AGE Thanks Randy for the information I'll see what my primary antenna can do if it can't tune 6 it can't tune 6.

73's. Tony

[cl4yd0h]

Why would the beam antenna need to change polarization for FM?

[K7AGE]

@cl4yd0h FM, from being from commercial radio - police cars and so on, tends to be vertical polarized due to simple mobile antennas. The beam doesn't change the polarization, but the way the antenna is oriented,

[cl4yd0h]

@K7AGE Thanks Randy! I am waiting for my Tech Ticket to show up on the ULS. In the mean time I want to build this same exact antenna so I'm prepared when it posts! I plan on using it with a HT. I will have to show you what I end up with since I'm not quite as crafty as you. You might get a laugh!

[tonyridlen]

Great video.

[daleriff]

Can I use steel conduit?

[K7AGE]

@daleriff Probably, it will be heavier.

[TheZeke1974]

I have a 4 element yagi but i wanted something quick and simple so i made one out of some scrap wire and a left over MFJ center insulator... It works!

[whistlesun]

Randy. Me and my dad just got done building a 6m dipole to your specs.

The 6m band was not open at the time of RX test, so i'll try it again tomorrow afternoon

[K7AGE]

@whistlesun Keep listening, the band will open.

[GMSamuelRhine]

very nice indeed. 73s

[TheKC1ML]

Really nice Randy.

[kd4adv]

Remember : "Cut Long, Trim short" when designing a dipole for certain frequencies.

[scott231us]

WOuld lexan be a better center insulator/standoff? How long do you think it'll hold up outside in the sun? I keep getting so-call engineers telling me lexan and plexiglass can't handle the sun..

[K7AGE]

@scott231us Not being a UV plastics expert, not sure. I built this for portable operation, so long life in the sun was not a requirement. Sometimes, you just got to do it and see what happens. What is the life, 1, 5 , 10 years, I don't know?

[BeeRich33]

My MFJ-9406 rig doesn't really give me anything. Still not convinced 6 is for me.

[Karl036]

Great Video.....

73..Karl

VK7HDX

[steveinkentucky]

This would be perfect for a vacation. I have a sat tv tripod. You could have several pieces of pvc, with ring connectors and make the mast. For strength, you could put dowel rods inside them.

[K7AGE]

@steveinkentucky there are many ways to build the system, Have fun figuring out what best works for you. I read the other day, an amateur license is a license to learn!

[Darkr12]

Is it beneficial to use a baun for half wave dipoles?

[k4vud]

Yawn

[wa4aos]

Hi Randy,

I have been licensed since I was 14, now 54 and have had loads of fun over th years. I really appreciate you doing these videos to help and encourage the new folks getting in the hobby. I hear so many Hams complain about NO CODE ops. Personally I love CW and as a result of the new licensing we are getting more good operators. In the last several years, I have operated many CW stations that got their start with a no code ticket.

We need to encourage our new Ham ops !

[K7AGE]

@wa4aos Thanks Randy

[cmritchie04]

Randy

what book should I be looking at if I want to make antennas, this was very interesting, I want to make one or a couple of antennas for 2 and 70 cm and maybe one of the 900 Mhz ham radio, Plus more. maybe 10 meters and 6 as well.

[K7AGE]

@cmritchie04 The master is the ARRL Antenna Book, a bit expensive. There is a section on the ARRL.ORG with past antenna articles. Not sure where these are on their new site. You can see more at ARRL if you are a member. Otherwise, Google around for antenna building projects.

[cmritchie04]

Randy

what book should I be looking at if I want to make antennas, this was very interesting, I want to make one or a couple of antennas for 2 and 70 cm and maybe one of the 900 Mhz ham radio, Plus more. maybe 10 meters and 6 as well.

[jichus1]

how does it proform? good im sure. ever had it on a rotor to work nort to south or east to west? does or would in your veiw this dipole proform better or worst than a yagi?

[K7AGE]

@jichus1 First, a beam should always work better than a dipole. I have not had it running during an opening, but I don't think it will make much difference. When six is hot, it smokes!

[dorslv]

Groovy, I like that hook-up, got an elk 2m/440 on my 18 wheeler ( mirror mount ) but now I can add a 6m! Great video! Kd0iqr. 73's

[MrBikerone]

thank you for the info very helpfull keep em' coming

[mdf0502]

would I do the same thing to make a VHF or UHF antenna. and also would this work with daul band radios, meaning could I transmit on uhf and vhf at the same time?

Thanks, Matthew

[K7AGE]

@mdf0502 Sure, beams are better. It would be default to build a dual band version.

[vacuumtubeTV]

Great Video!!!!, 73s....KC5JAV (EM-40).

[k4eezBrit]

Nice Video, i have added you to my fav on you tube just a side note, if you cut the element to short, you can add a screw and 2 nuts use one nut as a stopper then Adj te screw to get the antenna back to where it needs to needs to be... just an idea... but good job... De K4eeZ

[N4EMP]

The pdf file isn't available from N4QLB it seems. Can you give dimensions on the lexan glass mast mount you made?

[K7AGE]

He changed his web page. It is about 6x12 or whatever fits you parts.

[N4EMP]

Have a piece of lexan that's 1' x 1' square.

Then, cutting it in half will yield two plates. Sounds like we can do another one for 10 meters. What do you think?

[K7AGE]

Probably, if it will be strong enough for the longer 10 meter elements.

[combatwombat71]

Hi Randy,

Nice video. A coax choke balun wouldn't go amiss near the feedpoint - probably 5 or 6 turns around an aerosol can - something like that.

73 - Rob VK2GOM

[c0ckface]

Thanks for the information - very useful.

[uksniper1]

hi,im just getting into shortwave listening and im going to be using a 102 foot long wire antenna,but space in my garden is limited so im going to have to run it in a square pattern..ive seen a lot of guys running these wires over trees e.t.c..is it ok to have these wires touching objects as long as the wire is coated in plastic or similar?..just wonderd what your thoughts on this were,,thanks,,any input would be great...wayne.

[KERLZ124]

Yeah as long as it is not a conductive surface basically metal you can hang it off a tree if you want to, you can lay metal on metal but it must be insulated, hope that helps.

[PortableQRP]

Hey Randy,

Great video, as you may know I am a big 6 meter fan. I recently posted a video showing some 6 meter contacts using my MFJ-9406 QRP Rig.

73

VE3UK

[jscatam1128]

This is another great video, Thanks for posting.

I never get tired of watching all your videos.

John/KD5VKT

[MasterBowyer]

Imperial Measurements should be noted in fractions not decimals, oh yeah, and there's no 'Z' in REALISE either, thanks for the lesson...

[kekejojo1212]

Great tutorial!

Cool beard!

[ltkordek]

Randy, why does my videos on youtube continually stop and re-load? I can't get the video to continue uninterrupted.

Help....

ltkordek

[jssawyer1993]

That would be where your internet connection isnt quick enough!

73's

Jonathan

M3VJO

[jmecrg]

@ltkordek b/c internet slower than radio

[hfradionut]

Great video's.cant wait to get my ticket again after not haveing one for 11 years.and you just gotta love the mfj antenna analyzer!! gotta have one of those.

[jichus1]

nice set up randy, I think i mite do that same type of thing. right now I want to work 2, 6 and 440.

73

jimmy c

[badboy81791]

hey randy another great instructional video and was wondering if you could make that dipole into a beam by just adding a reflector and a director

73

chris/KC9NRV

[vr2ung]

Thanks for share^_^

Randy

73

Farid/VR2UNG

[rwcan42]

Another great video.

Thanks for the effort.

Rich W0RWC

[maurilucca]

CIAO...

Verry good !

iz5ovp Mauri Lucca

[K2adc]

Randy, Great video as always. Good demo of the dipole and antenna analyzer. Keep them coming. Art-K2ADC

[JamesJB32]

meh wish i was smart like you with the math and measurements :( I want to learn to build my own antennas but the math is hard :( i never was taught how to measure :( or was taught the kind of math you used in the video.

[pa3cuu]

looks and simple.

thanks for the video, randy

73, hein

[pimbadoti]

thanks Randy you got me going

this video is super great i like it

73  ur Friend Rico

PA3BVK

[burt2481]

Clearly you are a talented builder.

As far as video production, just because you can go over 10 minutes, doesn't mean you have to. First part very wordy.

Jump cuts in first part.

Audio quality very good.

The beginning could not have a more boring background.

[hard84qubes]

Nice video Randy. I just got my license. Look foward to more great video.

Mike

K I 6 Z I U

[GlobalAntennaWorks]

Great video as always, Randy.

6 Meters is alot of fun on Sporadic Es, even with very modest equipment. Last July I worked 44 grid squares in a few days with 8 watts to a vertical.

Thanks for helping people understand that all you have to do is get a signal into the air and good things will happen.

73 de WE5I

[K7AGE]

July was one of the magic times on six meters. When it opens, you better be ready and on the air! Randy

[dasnasdi]

With that opening picture, I was half expecting a sermon.

[K7AGE]

No, no, I don't preach! Randy

[yaesu1ad9z]

Another great video Randy! You must not have made it to Dayton this year. Dayton was great, more people there this year than last. 73's, AD9Z

[zb3b]

Simple, & very well explained Randy.

Good work !

vy 73's

Ronald ZB3B .-.-.

[lordtapdoles]

Great video Randy - thanks!

Matt

MW3YMY

[kc7fys]

Because we are dealing with meters, the only thing I wish is to see metric measurements for all the figures (with the olde style, too)--that helps to better illustrate the fractional relationships between the elements and wavelengths.

[K7AGE]

I can add that to the comments in a couple of days.

[Froggy19510]

I think the connector is an SO-239. See 4:02. You said SO-259. Good video. I like your stuff. It is nice that some one takes the time to give good instruction for new hams. :)

[K7AGE]

You caught me!

[kc7fys]

Now to build something for this band. This is an excellent video--as usual from you.

Best 73,

Jonathan KC7FYS/qrp

[markbeermonster]

Well done Randy

I'm off to source the parts for that dipole setup and might buy the same 2m/70cm beam from elk antennas aswell!

Thanks for showing us how simple it is

73

M6RKY

[2M0JAS]

Another fantastic video, keep them coming Randy!

[SeeYouNextFall]

Great video.

But wouldn't it be better to use Stainless Steel rather than Aluminum?

[K7AGE]

Most antennas that have tubular elements us Aluminum for the weight and cost differences. Stainless hardware is quite common. The aluminum is what I had in the junk pile.

[SeeYouNextFall]

Oh ok, that makes sense then.

I guess Stainless would be good for a more permanent roof mounted antenna.

Anyhow, I take my FCC test this week and I cant wait!

Maybe I will be able to pluck out your signal from the sky sometime K7AGE!

[cjwalsh5]

Randy, thanks again for another great tutorial. I never knew it was that simple.

[K7AGE]

Dipoles are about the simplest antenna to build.

[cjwalsh5]

I guess I'll have to invest in a SWR analyzer. I could never get the lengths right. Thanks again, and look forward to your next tutorial or video. Cheers

[K7AGE]

There I go, costing you money!

[hunt555fish]

Another great video Randy. Keep up the good work. Ron KA3WEL

[ghostdrew1]

hello that looks great i am a skywarn weather spotter here in michigan im going to take the ham test so i can get in on the weather net is the testing hard i have a hard time reading

[K7AGE]

Look for a radio club in your area, or the ARRL site, for a club that is offering a Technician class.

[k6tpl]

Very informative! Six meters I am heading that way! 73 now W7KO

[YZBot]

Excellent. Wish I would have watched your video 'before' I went to the hardware store. Now I might have to make a special trip for some parts. I never would have thought about the Plexiglas mount. I like how it neatens up the build.

[K7AGE]

There is always another way to build it! Whatever works, works!

[HZ1EA]

Hi randy

Another nice video but unfortunately the six meter is not allowed for us her in HZ land.

Hope to work with you on this band(Magic Band)

Best 73s

Emad HZ1EA

[K7AGE]

Sorry to hear that, I am sure 6 would be popular in your area of the world.