Dipole

Related wiki pages : Antennas, gain, SWR, Propagation

Dipole antennas are "two-sided' in that they are fed from a point between the two ends. In its simplest form, a dipole will be centre-fed, with the total length being a half-wavelength at the frequency of transmission.

Centre-fed half-wave dipole


Dipole length for resonance is calculated using either:

$$L = \frac {468}{frequency(MHz)}$$ for total length in feet, or,

$$L = \frac {142.5}{frequency(MHz)}$$ for total length in metres.

Half-wave centre-fed dipoles with each leg 1/4 wavelength long are perhaps the most common antennas used in amateur radio. They are an example of a balanced antenna which does not require a centerpoise or other RF ground.

These 1/2 wave dipoles can be used on their odd harmonics as well as their fundamental resonant frequencies. For example, the amateur 40 metre band begins at 7 MHz. The 3rd harmonic is 3 x 7 = 21 MHz, where the 15 metre band begins. Thus a centre-fed dipole that is a half-wavelength long at 40 metres (approximately 20 metres long, or 66 feet) can also be used as a 15 metre antenna.

Off-centre-fed dipole (OCF dipole)
As the name suggests, the OCF dipole is not fed from the centre. The advantage of a 1/2 wave OCF dipole fed 1/3 of the way from one end is that it can be used on the fundamental frequency and its even harmonics. Since most amateur bands are even harmonics of other amateur bands, this is a useful features. An OCF that is 1/2 wavelength long on 80 metres (40 metres long, or 132 feet) can be used on 80, 40, 20, or 10 metres.

L is calculated from the formulae above. The dimensions D1, D2 and D3 are found using:

$$D1 = 0.38L$$

$$D2 = 0.62L$$

$$D3 = 0.14L$$



G5RV antenna


Although the G5RV is not a 1/2 wave dipole like those described above, this antenna (invented by Louis Varney, callsign G5RV) shares some physical characteristics with a centre-fed dipole. The main difference between a dipole and G5RV is that the transmission line of a G5RV is part of the matching section that allows operation over a number of bands. Although the G5RV can be used on 20 metres without an antenna tuner, a tuner is necessary to use it on other bands.

There are several different variations on the G5RV. The most well-known is fed through 450-ohm ladder line 10.6 metres (34.8 feet) long, with one end of the ladder line connected at the centre-feed point of the antenna and the other connected through a balun to 50-ohm Coaxial Cable feedline. An alternative is to run balanced feedline (such as twin-lead or ladder line) all the way from the antenna feedpoint to the antenna tuner. The latter arrangement can be very effective, but not all lengths of feedline will tune properly. (See detailed discussion on feedlines.) Standard G5RV antennas are 31 metres (102 feet) long (excluding feedline and matching section length), and can be used on 80, 40, 20, 15, and 10 metres. A half-length G5RV 51 feet long can be used on 40, 20, 15, and 10; this variation is known as the G5RV jr.

Excellent analyses of the G5RV have been written by W4RNL and VK1OD. Philip Grimshaw (VK4KVK) has written a comprehensive book on the G5RV.

Wayne VK2ACY has produced a coupler for the G5RV that operates on 80m, 40m and 20m. Details and some pictures can be found here

Folded Dipole
Folded dipoles are also 1/2 wavelength long. (The Greek letter $$\lambda$$ is commonly used to represent wavelength.) However, the radiating elements are made of two parallel wires that are connected at the ends, and the feedpoint is at the centre of one of the two wires. The advantage of the folded dipole is that its impedance is about 300 ohms, allowing it to be fed with a 300-ohm balanced line. It is possible to make both the radiating elements and the feedline from 300-ohm twinlead, although some type of antenna tuner or matching section will be required to transform the impedance to 50 ohms at the transceiver.

These antennas are commonly used on FM repeaters on VHF bands, although care should be taken using 300-ohm twinlead at VHF and higher frequencies. (See discussion on feedline.)



Another advantage of a folded dipole is that it has a wide usable bandwidth, allowing it to cover more of the band. However, folded dipoles cannot be used as part of a fan dipole, and unlike conventional single-wire dipoles, they cannot be used on their odd harmonics. (Both of these limitations occur because conventional dipoles have higher impedance away from their resonant frequencies and reach minimum impedance at resonance, while folded dipoles have lower impedance away from resonance and approach maximum impedance at resonance. At DC, a folded dipole is a direct short across the feedpoint, while a conventional dipole is an open circuit.)

Fan Dipole
Several dipoles with different lengths, each of which is resonant on a different band, can be connected together at a common feedpoint and fed with a single feedline. This is known as a fan dipole. The radiating elements of the dipoles should not run parallel to each other.



Each of the dipole element pairs A, B and C in this diagram would usually be cut for a a frequency in the centre of the required amateur band. The total length of each dipole pair is 1/2$$\lambda$$.

Approximate total lengths of dipole elements

Coaxial Dipole (Double Bazooka)
The coaxial dipole antenna consists of a half-wavelength section of coax line with the shield opened a the center and feed line attached to the open ends of the shield. The outside conductor of the coax acts a half-wave dipole in combination with the open wire end sections of the antenna. The inside sections, do not radiate, but act as quarter-wave shorted stubs which presents high resistive impedance to the feed point at resonance and tends to cancel reactance as frequency off resonant frequencies, thus increasing band width.

The antenna can be cut for any operating frequency, from 160-meters down. The RG-58U is capable of handling a full kilowatt. This design is broad-banded will provided low SWR over the entire 80 and 40 meter bands. Construction techniques are not critical. It can be put together with insulators and relief strains or thrown together in an emergency with just twisting and taping. How well its built will determine how long it stays up of course.

The coaxial dipole antenna is perfect for stealth work. As it is insulated it can be placed in trees, under eaves or next to house trim even in attics. It can be put up as a dipole, inverted V, vertical dipole and sloper. Its ends can be bent to accommodate unusual spaces. The 40 meter antenna can be used for 15 meters.



Dimensions guide



Coaxial Trap Dipole
The Coaxial Trap Dipole is a symmetrical wire antenna whith traps at various points along the dipole arms to make them resonant at the required frequencies.

The diagram below shows approximate positions for coaxial traps. These should be verified by cutting them longer and trimming to the achieve resonance.



Coaxial traps
Coaxial traps are coils of coaxial cable wound around cylindrical formers as shown in the diagram below. Please note the connection details inside the former.



Formers can be strengthened in a number of ways to avoid stress on the solder joints:


 * making a wire "handle" passing through each and of the former. Solder the internal wiring to the the handle where it passes through the end of the former, and the "dipole wire" to the other end of the handle.


 * Passing a wood, plastic, fibreglass rod through the former. Use this to provide support for the solder joints.


 * The traps can be waterproofed by filling them with silicon sealer.

Other Dipole Variants
"Rabbit ears" dipoles are commonly used for TV reception. The position and length of the dipole arms can be adjusted to optimise reception.