Building a cheap lightweight dipole for VHF or UHF

How I build a waterproof lightweight cheap dipole for VHF and UHF from 1m long 4mm anodized aluminum rods and a waterproof tee-box using the dipole calculator from www.csgnetwork.com/antennaedca... this is a solderless build but can be soldered instead

[@krisraps]

I Used Similar Materials, I Just Used Copper Pipes With Silicone And It All Made It Weather Proof And Vibration Proof Because Of The Silicone, Put The Vertically On A Fishing Pole And Fishing Pole Into The Mounth In My Third Store Of The House :)

[@victoryfirst2878]

This is one easy to build antenna mate. Look forward to more great videos making antennas.

[@alcampbell]

Never noticed you before. New guy here. I like the channel especially since you`re obviously going to feature scanner topics. I`m sort of trying to get back into scanners, after about a 5 year rest from it. The hobby has changed a bit. Lots of digital encryption going on. I cant even hear my local police in the clear anymore. LOL. I have a massive collection of scanners but none are rebanded. So they are all boat anchors. Gool luck with the channel.

[@AdamSWL]

Nice work! Easy and simple classic design. Subscribed!

[@greilly1982]

Fantastic video thanks.

[@timpunchard6070]

Made it and it works brilliant thanks, what length would it be for each if I was making a military one, thanks 🙂

[@Cardassiaprime]

good build there, looks nice and light for portable amateur use. I like the connection boxes. one point, I thought the aluminium rods came anodised i.e. no conductivity- did you sand it off first or were they bare aluminium. Barnie M7PBX.

[@w.rustylane5650]

You could use the left over aluminum for a 70cm dipole.

[@John336NLT]

Very nice, could you post a link as to where to get the water proof box

[@keithhitchman1034]

Hi. Lovely build my Friend. Can you please tell me where the components for the build came from. I am looking to build a PMR Dipole and these bits look ideal to use. I have subscribed to your channel and will be looking at your past projects. Thanks Keith

[@krisraps]

Just Remember, If You Keep This ANtenna Verticaly., You Need To Keep The Central Wire On Top, Not Bottom.

[@robertburns202]

Which way should face for airport also what is the central wire as u say in Ur question/answer..my newbie question lol

[@zach0gr]

Interesting video What program you use for measuring?

[@markrayton6385]

Thanks Rick. Excellent video,thanks for sharing. So if you where to solder as i think i would, do you just solder the braid straight onto the rods and perhaps use some shrink tube or some pvc tape ?

[@wblue74]

Soldering copper to aluminium isn't easy. Better to put a tag on the aluminium and solder to that.

[@RadioTech7388]

If you make one for the UK VHF 2 M amateur band it will also work on 70 cms UHF, 73's and thanks for the video.

[@midel48]

Hi sir... may I ask if in this tutorial does it really works on both of VHF and UHF? can this be used or can I connect my Baofeng portable with your settings here in your video tutorial? I am a newbie and I don't know how to built a dipole and I am so desperate to build one so I can clearly communicate with my group. If you could just tell me that in this video tutorial works on me and then I will build the same measurements as you have here in this tutorial, and that would be great so I don't have to guess the right measurement. Thanks in advance.

[@paulmorrey733]

Thanks

[@Balistic_Buddy]

Hi, would like to know how long the elements would need to be for military signals Regards

[@MrHanowski]

Do you recommend this antenna as a replacement for my rubber ducky antenna in the aviation radio of my Powered Parachute airplane? Needs to be durable and handle vibration. Thanks.

[@eddiew.6485]

I see you crimp the coax shield and center conductor wires directly to the antenna rod. Is a 75 ohm balum necessary or does it matter . Thanks from the US.

[@richiesumagaysay6612]

Hi I'm new subscriber in your Chanel sir, I appreciate it sir, I got some idea. Thank you sir from HIMAMAYLAn City, Philippines

[@robertburns202]

Newbie here..good video if this covers civil and military will it also cover marine band on the same length as in the video cheers

[@martinscopes3914]

Hi. Can you please tell me the diameter of the rods.i do have copper coated welding rods could I use them of even coat hangers. Thanks

[@shebby0204]

what about adding a balun choke in it?

[@georgehill9447]

Would this work with a sdr and virtual radar

[@martinappleton9785]

What sort of connection would you use when soldering to the rods? Thanks 👍

[@nickrolfe367]

Hi thanks for this video, do you have a link for the aluminium rods pls or a part number at screwfix, 2nd question, how would I then connect this to my Grecom hand held scanner please? Sorry for the noob questions, thanks.

[@digitalanaloguehamradio]

A good video thanks did you check the SWR

[@UKAFG]

Hi yes I will be doing a follow-up video on fault-finding etc, as this build was a solderless build it is more geared towards those who wish to build an antenna for receiving, Hams would be more conversant with soldering and testing their antenna builds

[@robertburns202]

I got 4mm rods screwfix 4mm crimp butts they dint fit on even tried a hammer to get in to rod's no joy

[@luisgonzaloguarnizogarcia8942]

hi where do you buy this elements?

[@jmbeames]

Could I please ask whether the antenna should be mounted vertically or horizontally when built for best reception?

[@HughJarse1968]

My understanding is that most air band transmissions use vertical polarity, so mount the antenna vertically.

[@UKPete]

Great tutorial and great idea!, where do you get your aluminium poles from as these seem quite expensive for 1m lengths.

[@UKAFG]

it was screwfix direct

[@UKPete]

Thanks!

[@conchitaquemuel324]

I can't find this pole on screwfix website. What search criteria should I use on the website?

[@UKPete]

@@conchitaquemuel324 try B&Q they have a large assortment of aluminium tubes.

[@M0LMK]

Do you have the part number for the 3 way box you used please?

[@UKAFG]

Hi Mathew if in the UK available from screwfix www.screwfix.com/p/teebox-ip67-mini-t-junction-with-terminal-strip/72715

[@h.sapienstechnologicus8865]

Don’t you need a 1:1,5 balun? Dipole is 75ohm naturally

[@steveallison1615]

Cable losses on VHF/UHF are far higher than for HF, it would be better to suggest using lowest loss cable that is practical/affordable.

[@UKAFG]

Steve that is true and coax raises more arguments and controversy than any other part of this hobby, this was not a recommendation for coax but how to build a cheap vhf uhf dipole, I will get to coax in a future video covering 75ohm sat cable vs normally available 50 ohm cable and how short runs vs longs runs have a major effect on the cable you choose my reference was just that the screw on bnc connector fits this coax , soldering would always be my preferred choice as would such as ultraflex 7

[@steveallison1615]

@@UKAFG Of course, yes I understand. Nice gain on an antenna like this, shame to lose it :D. Thinking of building one for 2 mtr and 70 cm. This has given me some great ideas, as they need to be low profile, good work !

[@UKAFG]

they are a lot less noticeable than the ones built with pvc pipe etc and as they have an overall smaller footprint so better in high winds and do not have to worry if you have sealed everything properly please give us an update on your builds and any improvements on the design

[@PaulMaytee]

What cable would be best? Coax or sat cable? I have both at my disposal Thanks.

[@UKAFG]

Hi Paul well coax is probably the most controversial topic in the radio world, without knowing the cable length you would need I will just offer some of my own opinions for short runs on receive most coax will work well, sat cable although 75ohm is cheap and is low loss as it is designed for sat work and is a good choice and in many cases will work better than some of the 50ohm coax , for coax I prefer something well shielded ( I live in a noisy environment) and low loss so I opt for the ultraflex 7 as my preferred choice for permanent installs it works well for me a direct comparison between wf100 (sat cable) and ultraflex 7 the signal strength is basically the same on a 50ft run , it is the noise and interference where I see the difference between the signals so I get a better SNR with the ultraflex 7 so that suits me especially when chasing weak signals, your location, enviroment, cable length and signals you want to capture will vary from mine and everyone else's so always best to experiment and see what works best for you,

[@PaulMaytee]

Thanks! What would you say the typical range is with this?

[@craigbaldwin9085]

Hi do you sell them

[@yigitkalkan1450]

Rods are made of what?

[@UKAFG]

Anodised aluminium

[@AndrewMurphy8383]

those are not bullet connectors they are butt splices

[@davekeck5239]

This video would be OK if you didn’t have such a thick accent.

[@MarcosGarcia-kx4rb]

Yeah. Most eofthe time I could not understand shit lol

[@leephcom]

The hell are you going on about... just a normal British guy. It's you yanks with the accent...