What is it?

This dipole antenna kit includes

(a) fully checked 1:1 balun

(b) 1.0 mm UEW 10 m x 2

(c) plastic insulator x 2

As shown in the first photo.

The enclosed wire has 10 m length, so the lowest operation frequency will be 7.5 MHz (this is in theory, depends on the environment surrounding antenna element.)

Why did you make it?

Very recently I got an amateur radio license, and made the first operation for lower band by size-reduced antenna. I will not reveal the exact brand nor model, but the operation by the initial "branded" antenna was miserable. During this experience, I got to know this antenna pretends nice SWR for broad-band just by ohmic resistor. As you know, dummy load realizes very nice SWR for wide band but never radiates its power. Indeed, the initial antenna was "quasi dummy load" antenna.

Then I measured the maximum length in the attic of my house and noticed 14 MHz band full size dipole is feasible to spread. As you know, not only is it simple to wire, but balun (balanced for antenna, un-balanced for feeding line) is indispensable for proper operation. Again I checked its price and it costs tens of $ even for its simple circuit. So I made full antenna including balun from scratch.

Just one hour operation on 14 MHz band from Japan with 50 W, I could communicate, west coast of US (CA, OR), Malaysia, where I've never made contact by "quasi dummy load" antenna.

If you are using "reduced size antenna" or "quasi dummy load antenna", the well adjusted full size dipole works better than you may expect. I want to share my experience with this item!

What makes it special?

• 1:1 balun, wire, and insulator are enclosed. Balun operation is fully tested.

• Maximum (guaranteed) input power for balun is 100 W, simply because I don't have high-power amplifier (it may work more than 100 W).

I assume the operation of this antenna for "picnic or camp" or "attic antenna". If you will consider long-term outdoor use, please make waterproof taping for connector side and terminal edge.

How to use this antenna?

• First of all, the wire is surface coated. Please remove the coating of wire edge for balun connection.

• As attached picture, low price VNA (Nano VNA) or some antenna analyzer is very useful for its initial adjustment. Off-resonance (out of tuned) dipole is just an object and never radiate power even with antenna tuner. By nature of simple dipole antenna, bandwidth is not so wide and definitely adjustment is required. Please tune your antenna length for your preferred frequency.

• As you know well (if you have an amateur radio license.), total length of the antenna should be 1/2 lambda, and each wire length should be 1/4 lambda. The antenna length for frequency heavily depends on the antenna surroundings (height, object nearby element...). Please take 10 to 15 % longer than the theoretical length and tune by "cut and try" cycle.