HF DX Dipole for Ham RadioBeginners

[@Jan_Talcott_100]

Great video again. I wondered if you could double the ends back on themselves to leave room for adjustment. Thank you for making that clear to me.👍

[@watersstanton]

Glad to help.

[@dandypoint]

Dipoles are great antennas and not just for beginners! I gave up my towers and Yagis over 30 years ago and went to all dipoles. I really have not missed anything. With dipoles I can work over 100 countries in a weekend DX contest and on more than one band, including 40 meters. My 20 and 10 meter dipoles are just over 32 feet with my 40 meter dipole close to 50 ft. I use it on 15 meters also. They work pretty good. For DX it is good to have them high. How high? As high and you can get them. Most of us should be able get them 30 feet and that works for 20 meters and up really well. Higher is a bit better. Mine are all between 30 and 50 feet. Theoretically the 40 meter dipole works better at 60 feet but even 30 feet works. Dipoles have a broad bidirectional beamwidth off the broadside with a null directly off the tip end. Low dipoles do not have a deep null but a 10 meter dipole at 32 feet will because it is a wavelength high, whereas the null of a 20 meter dipole at 32 feet is much less as it is only halfwave high. Yes, dipoles are great for beginners but many of us old timers work plenty of DX with them too!

[@watersstanton]

I agree with all that.

[@geoffporter7859]

Once again, a complicated subject made simple to understand. A great video, thank you Peter.

[@watersstanton]

Glad it was helpful!

[@davidwalle5025]

Good video continue using imperial English units

[@johnbrown1531]

Good video's on many subjects....many thanks!

[@watersstanton]

Glad you like them!

[@JohnReynolds-ni5lv]

I love this gentleman. He explains concepts very well. Clearly he takes this wonderful hobby very seriously.

[@DwightTravis]

Do you have a catalog you could send me for the things you sell ? If so how do I get one ?

[@watersstanton]

Sorry, we no longer print a catalogue. Check www.hamradiostore.co.uk.

[@AndréSilveira-VA2HAS]

Thank you so much for the great video! I could spend a whole day listening to you. 😊

[@watersstanton]

Wow!

[@josephderose320]

Thank you Peter for all your effort in making these videos. I think you could use one of those dry erase whiteboards in your presentations. Thanks again, Joe, W2JMD.

[@watersstanton]

Yes might try that.

[@keimahane]

@11:51 So with a wire antenna like this, the length of the element is measured to where the wire is bent back and not to the end of the entire wire? I am still new to all of this and I assumed that the length was measured to the entire wire, mystery solved. Thank you so much for that very easy to understand explanation.

[@watersstanton]

Yes where the wire is bent.

[@keimahane]

@@watersstanton Thank you.

[@ricksmith780]

Thanks Peter love your videos!

[@watersstanton]

Thanks for watching!

[@Steve-GM0HUU]

👍Nicely explained Peter.

[@watersstanton]

Thanks 👍

[@kevinlloyd3403]

good video as normal peter 👍

[@watersstanton]

Thanks 👍

[@BusDriverRFI]

Do you have any equations whatsoever concerning the improvement found when using the 1:1 balun?

[@watersstanton]

Polar diagram, common mode currents, balanced feed for starters.

[@watersstanton]

Is this a maths questio?

[@BusDriverRFI]

@@watersstanton You show the dipole and you connect the center conductor to one side of the dipole then you connect the outer conductor to the other side of the dipole. That was cool. Then you say that in order to connect the transmission line to the dipole that the best way is the 1:1 Balun. But what's the improvement? If I have a 10dB amplifier, I can point to the 10dB specification and if it doesn't exceed the upper limit of the amplifier, I can point to the 10dB and show that the device will improve the output signal by 10dB. If I have a 100ohm antenna feedpoint, I can point to the 2:1 impedance ratio of a transmission line transformer and show that the power transfer will be improved by matching the antenna to the feed line. But you talk about "line isolators" and 1:1 baluns and give no specifics as to why it's better and not just a lossy insertion. Without using glittering generalities, spouting how great these devices are, what objective input is there that shows that there's an improvement? Not subjective that just relies on your personal preference, something objective that says something like, "Yes, antenna currents improve by X amount and/or the choking affect will not work like regular chokes and it will improve your signal output; not choke it out". I got on to your website and looked up the MB-1X - High Power 1:1 Current Balun. It says... "1:1 Current Balun Key Features/Specifications: Frequency: 1-30MHz Power: 1000 Watts Impedance: 50 Ohms Connection: SO239 for cable 2 x brass terminals for wire" Except for the dipole element connection, it could be a specification for a dummy load. There's nothing solid here to sell me on this device. If you want to say, "It reduces common mode currents" then by how much? As it is, I don't see a purpose for these devices. Jerry N9XR

[@BusDriverRFI]

@@watersstanton I was just joking. I know they don't help.

[@bjen2005]

Peter, I find your channel very informative and have acquired several bits of information from your channel. Keep the information flowing for us new hams. 👏

[@watersstanton]

Thanks, will do!

[@nealbeach4947]

I could listen to Peter talk about anything. Another great video. Thanks.

[@watersstanton]

Wow, thanks!

[@daveengstrom9250]

Thank you.

[@watersstanton]

You're welcome!