I have seen many videos using speaker wire to make an antenna. This is the first one I have seen where it was also used as a balanced feed line. Brilliant! It never occurred to me to use it for the feed line as well.
Just bought a low power portable HF rig and thought I would start building simple antennas starting with a 20m dipole. But using the twin feed as a balanced line makes this antenna ideal & lightweight for portable use. I never saw it either but it makes such good sense.
Thanks. I will be easy to rig on a pole, or between two trees. Thanks for watching. Please feel free to subscribe to my RUclips channel if you want to see more. 73s
Thanks Tim. To be honest, I practiced off camera about 20 times first!!! And when it came to doing it with two 5m lengths, for some reason it was a load harder. Thanks for watching. Please feel free to subscribe to my RUclips channel if you want to see more of my videos. 73s
Real nice video Ben! I love these kind of experiments with antennas that actually work and do well on the cheap. Great times getting on the air! Cheers & 73, Tom - WA7FLY.
Great video! I'm also building one next week, got the speaker wire today. Fingers crossed as I live in a block of flats in London and only operated VHF. I hope I'll be able to at least receive on 6m (maybe even on 10m). Due to restricted space in my balcony I can't set up a longer antenna. Lots of metal around as well, but it wouldn't hurt trying. If I can receive signals with my basic SDR I might take the plunge and buy an HF radio. 73, M7BAL
That is awesome. I love wire dipoles, my best antenna for air band scanning is a coax dipole with some clips on the end. If you combined a wire dipole with your UV5R would make a very affordable set up. 73s
😱 I'm shocked that you say you don't need a balun for this Ben ! Your absolutely right when you say it's ballanced feed to a ballanced antenna, But the output on the radio is unbalanced. Best not to use without a balun so it keeps the radio happy. Congratulations on the G5REV callsign & glad you managed to sort OFCOM's error. I'm currently unlicensed as i wanted to have my original B class call from 1992 back as i didn't like my 1993 A class call. OFCOM said i couldn't change my call unless i surrender my G0 & stay off air for 2 years, Then i can apply for my original as a returner. In September 2022 i will try to get a nice vanity call if i can, They might insist i get my reserved G7 back. (Only time will tell) I was going to sit a foundation course to obtain another licence for QRP but OFCOM have flagged me & will not knowingly issue me another licence of any class for 2 years. Oh well not to worry ! Keep up the good work !!
Thank you so much for watching, and for your encouraging words. Please feel free to subscribe to my RUclips channel if you want to see more of my videos. 73s
Hey Rev Ben, I just passed my intermediater and purchased a icom 706mkIIg alas no antenna so I built this antenna in this video and made Contacts! Thank You
Great video, very good easy antenna, I will try this myself. Are you a Minister by any chance, Ben? I think I recognised some of the books on your shelf.. I subbed to you a few days ago.
@@RadioRevG5REV To be honest Ben, I didn't notice the name, I just like the first video of yours that I watched, the 2m contest one and subbed without seeing the user name.. My late dad was a Pastor and I recognised many of your books from my dads study.. My dad was a Pastor in an Elim Pentecostal church back in Ireland.. Keep up the good work as your content is very enjoyable... The only type of videos I watch on here are either Ham Radio, or some of my favourite Pastors. Stay Blessed my friend!
Thanks Brian. The Icom 7300 has an internal tuner. I did use it, but the swr was low, so there was not huge need, but with the tuner, it came down to 1:1. Just uploaded another video on Baofengs; I didn't realise they were quite so controversial, but I hope you enjoy that too. 73s
hello..nice vid..what about swr.. i want to try it in a qrp usdx, i dont have antenna tuner.. due to the lack of space in my roof i ll use it as a sloper..regards 73..
Hello. Could you help a noob with a problem.. I bought a µBITX v6 but I must set the antenna up in my room. I live in a one room apartment and can’t put anything in the loft or outside. Could you recommend something sub £100??
Thanks for watching. The set length was from the middle of the dipole to my kitchen table without touching the floor ! Not mathematics but practical! Hope that helps. Thanks again for watching the video. Please feel free to subscribe to my RUclips channel if you want to see more. 73s
If the “feedline” was half wave long (or a multiple of halfwave), taking the velocity factor into consideration, the impedance at the radio end of the feedline would be exactly the same as the impedance at the center of the dipole.
@@dandypoint Well as the two wires are still bonded together from the elements to the rig it acts like a balanced line so the impedance will remain the same as at the centre of the dipole.
@@sharonjuniorchess not sure I get your point. Example 1 : if the antenna impedance is 100 ohms and connected to 50 ohm coax the input impedance of the coax varies with its length. If the coax is 1/4 wave the impedance looking into the 1/4 wave coax is 25 ohms. If the coax is 1/2 wave long the impedance looking into the coax is 100 ohms. Example 2. If the antenna is 100 ohms and you use 1/4 wave of 70 ohm line to feed it the impedance looking into the 1/4 wave line is 50 ohms. If using 1/2 wave of 70 ohm coax the impedance looking into the coax is 100 ohms. In example 1 the SWR on the coax is 2:1 in example 2 the SWR is 1.4. If the antenna is a true 50 ohm load fed with 50 ohm coax the SWR is 1:1 and the length of the coax does not matter. If an SWR exists on the line it will transform the antenna impedance depending on how long it is. The range of impedances possible all fall on the SWR circle if plotted on a Smith Chart.
@@dandypoint This antenna does not have any coax. The wire from the elements are 'joined together' & run down to the rig. They act as a balanced feed similar to using ladder line.
@@RadioRevG5REV Thanks Ben, I purchased 100ft of Amazon 16 gauge speaker cable and 2 banana plugs. I'm interested in making an HF antenna and a 2m and 70cms dipole. What's the best way to do it. Any advice is greatly appreciated.
@@philiprobinson999 Google dipole length calculator. For the HF one, you will need to cut it for the band you want to use. I made a 20m dipole, for example, which will tune to 40m too (just about). For 2 and 70, a dipole will be poor. As uhf vhf is line of sight, the antennas need to be high up, and you would usually use something with gain (a coliniar or a yagi). Hope that helps.
This has inspired me to give it a go and build my own! Speaker wire, tape, cord and connector all in the post!
I have seen many videos using speaker wire to make an antenna. This is the first one I have seen where it was also used as a balanced feed line. Brilliant! It never occurred to me to use it for the feed line as well.
Just bought a low power portable HF rig and thought I would start building simple antennas starting with a 20m dipole. But using the twin feed as a balanced line makes this antenna ideal & lightweight for portable use. I never saw it either but it makes such good sense.
Good video. I recognize a lot of those books on the shelf behind you. I have several of them in my Logos collection.
Nice simple antenna--ideal for portable work
Thanks. I will be easy to rig on a pole, or between two trees. Thanks for watching. Please feel free to subscribe to my RUclips channel if you want to see more. 73s
Just past my Foundation yesterday......Loving your videos....keep them coming!
Thank you, and a very well done to you.. I hope to work you soon!
Wonderful! Simple but effective 👌🏽 Happy DX 🙂
Great job using something so simple, yet so effective. Infectious enthusiasm as ever. Keep them coming!
Thanks Jamie! Thanks for watching again!
I love the way you worked that knot.
Thanks Tim. To be honest, I practiced off camera about 20 times first!!! And when it came to doing it with two 5m lengths, for some reason it was a load harder. Thanks for watching. Please feel free to subscribe to my RUclips channel if you want to see more of my videos. 73s
@@RadioRevG5REV As we type, I did the same following your video. That is what they call learning the ropes.
Thanks! The simplicity of the aerial is inspiring. KC5YGS, Aaron. North of San Francisco, California
Thanks so much for watching. If you want to become my second stateside subscribe, feel free to hot the subscribe button! 73s
Already done. 73
Real nice video Ben! I love these kind of experiments with antennas that actually work and do well on the cheap. Great times getting on the air! Cheers & 73, Tom - WA7FLY.
Great video! I'm also building one next week, got the speaker wire today. Fingers crossed as I live in a block of flats in London and only operated VHF. I hope I'll be able to at least receive on 6m (maybe even on 10m). Due to restricted space in my balcony I can't set up a longer antenna. Lots of metal around as well, but it wouldn't hurt trying. If I can receive signals with my basic SDR I might take the plunge and buy an HF radio. 73, M7BAL
Great videos Ben!! , only gained my foundation in June myself, really informative!! Keep them coming !!!
Thank you for watching! And thanks for the encouragement. I got my Foundation in May, so much to learn still, but I am having fun trying!
nice to see it working m8 just got the IC7300
I live mine! Enjoy!
As simple as it gets. Great job Ben. Thank you for sharing the video. A nice pipeline from Spalding to Bulgaria!
Nick M1DDD
Thanks for watching!
That is awesome. I love wire dipoles, my best antenna for air band scanning is a coax dipole with some clips on the end. If you combined a wire dipole with your UV5R would make a very affordable set up. 73s
Thanks for watching and for the encouragement. Please feel free to subscribe to my RUclips channel if you want to see more of my videos. 73s
@@RadioRevG5REV I subscribe yesterday 🤓👍🏻😁
@@dutchbeef8920 thank you so much! That means a great deal to me. 73s
Really bk to basics on this one, very nice .. would have been nice to see how u hung the antenna, brilliant cheers n 73 oh,.. SWR?
Keep them coming my friend 👍🇬🇧
😱 I'm shocked that you say you don't need a balun for this Ben !
Your absolutely right when you say it's ballanced feed to a ballanced antenna, But the output on the radio is unbalanced.
Best not to use without a balun so it keeps the radio happy.
Congratulations on the G5REV callsign & glad you managed to sort OFCOM's error.
I'm currently unlicensed as i wanted to have my original B class call from 1992 back as i didn't like my 1993 A class call.
OFCOM said i couldn't change my call unless i surrender my G0 & stay off air for 2 years, Then i can apply for my original as a returner.
In September 2022 i will try to get a nice vanity call if i can,
They might insist i get my reserved G7 back. (Only time will tell)
I was going to sit a foundation course to obtain another licence for QRP but OFCOM have flagged me & will not knowingly issue me another licence of any class for 2 years.
Oh well not to worry !
Keep up the good work !!
Ben nice vlog keep up the antenna projects
Thanks for your encouragement! Please feel free to subscribe to my RUclips channel if you want to see more of my videos. 73s
Hi,good video, well explained, enthusiastic is always welcome, thanks from Rotterdam.
Thank you so much for watching, and for your encouraging words. Please feel free to subscribe to my RUclips channel if you want to see more of my videos. 73s
Great Antenna. try a Doublet overall radiator 103.4ft and feeder 33.2ft bit like a G5RV, you will get a few other bands as well. Good work
Thanks for watching. I will look into that. Please feel free to subscribe to my RUclips channel if you want to see more of my videos. 73s
Interesting how you got away with a balanced line into a 50 ohm unbalanced input/output in the rig without a balun. 😀
Simple Installation but effective
Thanks for watching. Please feel free to subscribe to my RUclips channel if you want to see more of my videos. 73s
Big smiles 😄
Hey Rev Ben, I just passed my intermediater and purchased a icom 706mkIIg alas no antenna so I built this antenna in this video and made Contacts! Thank You
Great video
Great video - thanks for publishing. Out of interest, What SWR did you get on the antenna?
Thanks for the very helpful video. The was a clear sounding QSO using the antenna.
Great vid!
Thanks for watching. Much appreciated. Thanks for the encouragement too. 73
Keep them coming Ben!
Thanks for watching Tim, and for your encouraging words. More are on the way....
Sharing...🙏🙏🙏 73.
Many thanks! That means a lot. 73s
Good video, thanks for posting it. Where did you get the connector from with the blue and red screws on the to and the SO239 connection?
It's a BNC to Bananna plugs, ebay or Sota Beams sell them. I then added a BNC to 259.
@@RadioRevG5REV Thanks Ben for replying.
@@philiprobinson999 it's a pleasure. Feel free to subscribe to my RUclips channel if you want to see more of my videos. 73
@@RadioRevG5REV Will do Ben.
Great video, very good easy antenna, I will try this myself. Are you a Minister by any chance, Ben? I think I recognised some of the books on your shelf.. I subbed to you a few days ago.
Yep! Hence the Radio Rev name... I'm a vicar... Well spotted!
Oh, and thanks for watching and subscribing!
@@RadioRevG5REV To be honest Ben, I didn't notice the name, I just like the first video of yours that I watched, the 2m contest one and subbed without seeing the user name.. My late dad was a Pastor and I recognised many of your books from my dads study.. My dad was a Pastor in an Elim Pentecostal church back in Ireland.. Keep up the good work as your content is very enjoyable... The only type of videos I watch on here are either Ham Radio, or some of my favourite Pastors. Stay Blessed my friend!
Great video once again Ben, did you use a tuner?
Thanks Brian. The Icom 7300 has an internal tuner. I did use it, but the swr was low, so there was not huge need, but with the tuner, it came down to 1:1. Just uploaded another video on Baofengs; I didn't realise they were quite so controversial, but I hope you enjoy that too. 73s
@@RadioRevG5REV Cheers Ben, I’ve watched the UV5R one you did pal. Keep up the good work.
Clicked as soon as got the Notif
Thanks Myles... what did you think?
@@RadioRevG5REV I enjoyed it and i thought it was really goood - i have thought of ideas of how to improve the videos and stuff like that
Always happy to hear ways I can get better...
@@RadioRevG5REV are your facebook DM's Open if so ill pop you a message there to explain
@@MrLimeGrass yes. Do that.
fantastic video, thanks for posting, can you remind me what the dipole connection into the back of the radio is called
Thanks for watching and subscribing. Its a PL259 socket to 4mm 'banana' plugs. Hope that helps. 73s
How did your transceiver handled difference in impedance? In this case feeder Impedance was 300 Ohms if I correctly recall. 73!
Did you check the swr if so what was it
Yes. It was good on 14.200, about 1.2:1, lifting to about 1.8:1 at the edges.
@@RadioRevG5REV Okay that’s fine. It sounded like you just plugged it in ha ha
hello..nice vid..what about swr.. i want to try it in a qrp usdx, i dont have antenna tuner.. due to the lack of space in my roof i ll use it as a sloper..regards 73..
Are you doing QRP or 100 watts?
This was 50w. Thanks for watching. Please feel free to subscribe to my RUclips channel if you want to see more of my videos. 73s
@@RadioRevG5REV subscribed 73
@@vu3mes thanks so much, that means a great deal!
@@RadioRevG5REV you can join Ham Radio India on FB and post your videos there, we have around 5k members there.
Did you solder the ladder line to the dipole?
There was no need as it was one cable acting as feeder and dipole arm.
Hello. Could you help a noob with a problem.. I bought a µBITX v6 but I must set the antenna up in my room. I live in a one room apartment and can’t put anything in the loft or outside. Could you recommend something sub £100??
Does anyone know what has happened to the rev?
Simple but effective! Did you need the 7300's tuner or did you get a decent SWR out of the box? Thanks for sharing your radio adventures! 73
It did have a good SWR, but I used the tuner just to be sure! 73s
Hi just wondering what is the size and amount of wire strands in the core please.
Than you phylip Mw7phy
It was 16AWG wire. Hope that helps.
OK thank you for replying so quickly phylip Mw7phy.
Did you need to use a set length feeder or not ?
Thanks for watching. The set length was from the middle of the dipole to my kitchen table without touching the floor ! Not mathematics but practical! Hope that helps. Thanks again for watching the video. Please feel free to subscribe to my RUclips channel if you want to see more. 73s
If the “feedline” was half wave long (or a multiple of halfwave), taking the velocity factor into consideration, the impedance at the radio end of the feedline would be exactly the same as the impedance at the center of the dipole.
@@dandypoint Well as the two wires are still bonded together from the elements to the rig it acts like a balanced line so the impedance will remain the same as at the centre of the dipole.
@@sharonjuniorchess not sure I get your point. Example 1 : if the antenna impedance is 100 ohms and connected to 50 ohm coax the input impedance of the coax varies with its length. If the coax is 1/4 wave the impedance looking into the 1/4 wave coax is 25 ohms. If the coax is 1/2 wave long the impedance looking into the coax is 100 ohms.
Example 2. If the antenna is 100 ohms and you use 1/4 wave of 70 ohm line to feed it the impedance looking into the 1/4 wave line is 50 ohms. If using 1/2 wave of 70 ohm coax the impedance looking into the coax is 100 ohms. In example 1 the SWR on the coax is 2:1 in example 2 the SWR is 1.4. If the antenna is a true 50 ohm load fed with 50 ohm coax the SWR is 1:1 and the length of the coax does not matter. If an SWR exists on the line it will transform the antenna impedance depending on how long it is. The range of impedances possible all fall on the SWR circle if plotted on a Smith Chart.
@@dandypoint This antenna does not have any coax. The wire from the elements are 'joined together' & run down to the rig. They act as a balanced feed similar to using ladder line.
Hi Ben, I have purchased speaker wire and banana plugs. Does it matter which way you connect the wire to the banana plug.
Not for a dipole. But for an antenna and a a counterpoise you need the middle of the coax (red) in the air, and black on the ground.
@@RadioRevG5REV Thanks Ben, I purchased 100ft of Amazon 16 gauge speaker cable and 2 banana plugs. I'm interested in making an HF antenna and a 2m and 70cms dipole. What's the best way to do it. Any advice is greatly appreciated.
@@philiprobinson999 Google dipole length calculator. For the HF one, you will need to cut it for the band you want to use. I made a 20m dipole, for example, which will tune to 40m too (just about). For 2 and 70, a dipole will be poor. As uhf vhf is line of sight, the antennas need to be high up, and you would usually use something with gain (a coliniar or a yagi). Hope that helps.
@@RadioRevG5REV Thanks Ben, I'll stick to the HF side of things then. I'll let you know how I get on.
Hi ben love the vid from ade tayla. 26 PS080
Thanks!
Where did your find that male UHF/pole connector at? Thanks! 73 - W4UYE
I got mine from a website called Sota beams. It came with an antenna, but you can order them on their own too.
only trouble is he dont give any mesurements