Ham Radio 2m/70cm Vertical Dipole Antenna

A simple ham radio 2 meter and 70 cm antenna for fixed or portable use.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• dipole antenna
• ham radio
• amateur radio
• ham radio antenna
• 2 meter antenna
• 70 cm antenna
• build 2 meter antenna
• dual band antenna
• backpack antenna

[cl4yd0h]

Shortened the elements by scooting in approx 1/2" and SWR is:

1.2 @ 144

1.2 @ 146

1.5 @ 148

I am still not able to open up the 70c repeater I can open up with a rubber ducky. But I am very happy with the 2m side of it. Thanks for the reply! Great help to a new ham!

73s

[zerozedzed]

@cl4yd0h You're getting much closer. :) Try another 1/8" or so. I suspect that your HT antenna may have a more gain than a simple dipole antenna if testing it at the same height. This antenna will work better the higher it is mounted.

[cl4yd0h]

Thank you for this video, I made my own replica and it works great on 2 meter! The SWR on 2m is 1.6 @ 144mhz and 2.2 @ 148 mhz following your measurements.

Although I can not get anything out of the 70cm side. There is a repeater I can open with a HT with a rubber ducky antenna standing at the antenna location but it will not open it up through the antenna.. I do not have the equipment to check the SWR @ 70cm though.

I am thinking its the 70ft coax run where I am having the loss.. Thank you!

[zerozedzed]

@cl4yd0h You're not far off and the antenna just needs a little tuning. Remember "Lower, Longer." If SWR goes continuously higher from 1.6 (144 MHz) to 2.2 (148 MHz) then the antenna is working better at lower frequencies. So shorten the antenna elements just slightly to tune it higher in frequency. Try adjusting the antenna until you see at least 1.1:1 SWR at 146.000 MHz. 73! :)

[zerozedzed]

@cl4yd0h Oops. By shortening the antenna I mean to adjust the elements inwards and not by trimming them. ;)

[MacintoshWizard]

I am currently working on your antenna design here. I am about to bend my stainless rod, but I am still not sure exactly how to go about it. Could you explain a little more in depth on how to bend it in the vice into that perfect U shape? Thanks!

73's KD2AWT

[zerozedzed]

@MacintoshWizard My U shape bends are not exactly perfect but are within about a millimeter or so measuring from center to center. Place the rod about 8 or 9 inches into the bench vise and start bending at a right angle. Then take the rod out and place the short end horizontally in the vise and finish bending it. It may take an extra try with another rod to get two that are similar in shape but it shouldn't take much to get the hang of it. Good luck and have fun. 73! :)

[wolfywho]

Nice job!

[ON4AEM]

Nice little project.Very educational.Will build one soon myself.Thanks for sharing it.

73s from Belgium.Wim.