Six Meter Dipole

This is another video to help you get on six meter. In this video I explain the half wave dipole antenna and show as an example the dipole that I built.

A half wave dipole is one of the simplest antennas that you can build. The dipole is usually two pieces of wire, attached to a center insulator. The dipole is fed with coax, with the center conductor going to one wire and the shield going to the other wire. The formula to calculate the length of the antenna is Length in feet = 468/ Freq in MHz. So for six meter with 50.125 as the target frequency this works out to 9.34 feet or 4.67 for each of the two wires. Here is a link to a dipole calculator

http://www.kwarc.org/ant-calc.html

I build my dipole using ½ aluminum tubing attached to a center insulator that I build out of a piece of Plexiglas scrap that I picked up for free from a window glass store. I added various nuts, bolts, and u-bolts to make up the center insulator. You could also make the dipole by inserting some number 12 or 14 wire inside ½ inch pvc tubing. Or, hang the wire dipole from a tree.

When you build the dipole cut your tubing or wire long, then trim to length by using an SWR meter or antenna analyzer. I use my MFJ antenna analyzer to help me tune my dipole.

I also show my Elk Antennas dual band beam that mounts on the top of the mast. You can learn more about Elk at

http://www.elkantennas.com/

I hope this is enough information to help you put together a simple antenna to give six meters a try.


Randy

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Six
• meters
• ham
• amateur
• radio
• hamradio
• kenwood
• icom
• yaesu
• arrl
• vhf
• uhf
• field
• day

[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.

[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,

[daleriff]

Can I use steel conduit?

[K7AGE]

@daleriff Probably, it will be heavier.

[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.

[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 !

[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]

@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.

[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!