This ham radio coil-loaded 40 and 80 meter inverted V dipole HF wire antenna is easy to build! Loading coils make this antenna a full size on 40 meters and a…
Video Rating: 4 / 5

Doublet aerials for HF amateur ham radio and broadcast bands. A dipole fed with 300 ohm feeder can be used on all short wave bands. If you don’t have Google+…
Video Rating: 4 / 5

32 replies
  1. ningis21
    ningis21 says:

    Hi Ray……Wouldn’t the formula 468 divided by the frequency of operation
    give you a full wave on the frequency….. Isn’t a dipole supposed to be a
    half wavelength on the frequency of operation ? Or is this the
    difference between a dipole and a doublet ? Of course ignoring all the
    other velocity factor calculations etc,,,, either way….as you say…..
    it works… so…… Robert is your dad’s brother ..hi..hi..

    Reply
  2. vernon Deal
    vernon Deal says:

    just gave the Doublet a try, and it was impressive, on all bands from 40 to
    10 with 20 is the only band i am not able to load using the MFJ 933B

    Reply
  3. AJ Hillbilly Mr.Hillbilly
    AJ Hillbilly Mr.Hillbilly says:

    Ray, appreciate your time on this Video, i saw a design with 300ohm TV line
    used as the antenna legs connected at the ends, then also fed with same
    line to a tuner, they called for 1/4 wave legs and 1/2 wave feeder length,
    what do you think ? I have plenty of this line, and want to take it
    portable 80-10 meters, or 40-10 if i have to , Thanks, Aj

    Reply
  4. Dabhandradio Dave Shaw
    Dabhandradio Dave Shaw says:

    Hi Ray.. Good video! Question… If you haven’t a ‘balanced ATU’ and you
    need to use coax to connect to the radio, should you use a balun? And
    should it be 4:1 or 1:1??? My Yaesu FT920 has an auto ATU and I’d like to
    try a doublet!!

    Dave

    Reply
  5. Kevin Williams
    Kevin Williams says:

    Hi Ray, totally agree about the doublet, I’m in a low rise block of flats
    which means an outside aerial is a no-goer. So I have a 66ft doublet up in
    the loft, it’s bent into a funny shape but it is symmetrical! The whole
    system is homemade including the open wire line and single coil balanced
    z-match atu My doublet works great for an internal aerial on all bands from
    40m down to 10m on 5 watts qrp!. – But because of it’s shape and the fact
    that it’s indoors, if you listen to the “experts” it shouldn’t work at all!

    Cheers. Kevin GW4WOV

    Reply
  6. fatcat2939
    fatcat2939 says:

    I’m confused. Wont the 300ohm ribbon pick up a lot of rf noise from the
    devices in my house? I’m Using a Grundig 750 radio.

    Reply
  7. N6WK
    N6WK says:

    @zerozedzed I took it down today and inspected everything. I checked all
    the hardware on the coils and ohmed the coils for continuity. I then
    brought them into the shack and measured their inductance. Each one shows
    129uh. Great readings on 40 but when I try to shorten the 80 wire to get it
    into the phone band, Things go crazy. I am shortening only ONE inch at a
    time to be careful. The MFJ shows the frequency moving up but
    unfortunately, the SWR is rising and the X is rising.

    Reply
  8. Dave Tadlock
    Dave Tadlock says:

    @N6WK Add w w w to the beginning of it. YouTube will not let me post the
    actual link. I’ve also added a link to it on the 40/80 antenna project page
    on my web site. The other page is mostly pictures but you can probably
    email the original author, too. The link to my web site is posted on my
    YouTube Channel.

    Reply
  9. Dave Tadlock
    Dave Tadlock says:

    Yes! 🙂 Diagrams and pictures are posted on my website. The link is at the
    top of my YouTube channel and at the end of this video. Thanks for watching
    and 73!

    Reply
  10. ON4AEM
    ON4AEM says:

    Very interesting Dave.Educational indeed.Enjoyed watching this video.Even
    in metrical sizes 😉 TNX Regards, Wim.

    Reply
  11. Marshall Jackson, Jr.
    Marshall Jackson, Jr. says:

    Thanks Dave for giving me back my confidence after a few failed projects
    that cost me good money. Thanks Man: I’ve got the “Bull” by the horns now..

    Reply
  12. Dave Tadlock
    Dave Tadlock says:

    @N6WK This coil is really designed to be used lower in frequency. Try
    taking one turn off the coil then check the antenna again. It might take
    removing a couple of turns to get it resonate. I should do a another video
    for an antenna that works higher in frequency on 80. I’ll probably call it
    the “Breakfast Club Special,” hi hi. YouTube is a world wide audience and
    so this antenna would appeal to many as it is. I also work lower in
    frequency and my phone limit is no lower than 3.600.

    Reply
  13. jasomeeko
    jasomeeko says:

    hi dave these vids are great i am looking around for some old radios and
    collecting stuff for a antenna .very helpful and detailed.thank you

    Reply
  14. Crewdog77
    Crewdog77 says:

    Dave, you have the best instructional videos going. thank you for putting
    the effort into it step by step. I have learned so much from you.

    Reply
  15. James Lollar
    James Lollar says:

    Dave, you do a great job of making videos of your efforts. It is very
    helpful to anyone interested in Amateur Radio Antenna’s. Keep up the good
    work. A lot of people who post assume people watching on you tube have as
    much antenna knowledge as they do. Not so all the time. You can impart
    your know how without talking down to us Amateurs. Thanks a lot you have
    really helped me. James k5gkr

    Reply
  16. Luiz C Balista
    Luiz C Balista says:

    Dave, I do appreciate your technisc for making coils. From now on I will
    save time and improve my coils. Tnks and 73. PY2CN

    Reply
  17. Mike Erstad
    Mike Erstad says:

    Dave,
    What the heck is all that noise outside… Sounds like locust attacking….
    Hey, fantastic job on all your videos. 

    Reply
  18. Richard Lawn
    Richard Lawn says:

    I followed your helpful construction video exactly and the antenna works
    perfectly!! Kudos! Now I’m wondering if I can add a 17 meter element? I
    have a feeling that since it doesn’t fall as a harmonic it won’t work well.
    -Rick w2JAZ

    Reply
  19. Peter Villette
    Peter Villette says:

    Dave what is the Wire Dia in mm? Because over in the UK the Wire Sizes are
    very different. Many Thanks 2E0PTP

    Reply

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