Vertical Dipole Antenna: Easy 10 Meter DX

Working DX with an easy to build vertical dipole antenna for the 10 meter band #hamradio #portablehamradio #hamradioantenna

[@allancopland1768]

Balanced how? It is not balanced.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Well, explain then. From everything I’ve been taught a dipole is a balanced antenna. If you have some knowledge that proves that to be incorrect by all means share it so I can let the RSGB and ARRL know they have to revise their antenna books.

[@P.SeanCoady]

Dipoles are most certainly are balance. Just that many feed them with un balance line coax but you get a better pattern if you use a balun to feed your dipole. A vertical is not balance

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

@@P.SeanCoady ok please elaborate on why a vertical is not balanced. I'm interested in this. A halfwave wire fed at it's center should be balanced regardless of it's position.

[@P.SeanCoady]

@@COASTALWAVESWIRES first your vertical polarized dipole is a balance antenna, Its a dipole after all. But the traditional vertical antenna with multiple radials is not balance. It's asymmetrical construction is your first clue that the currents may not be equally disputed thus not balance. We often try to band aid this common mode chokes when if we had a well match balance system there would be no need for the chokes but we use them anyway since we like to stray away a bit don't we. Other examples of non balance loads "might" include OCF dipoles, End Fed Dipoles, Gama match dipoles (driven element) as opposed to a T match element shunt fed vertical tower verticals (a gama match example) We all know that we use a 1:1 balun on a dipole and a 4:1 on folded dipole both are balance but the difference is the impedance

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

@@P.SeanCoady Roger that! Yes I understand all that. Was just confused when you said vertical wasn’t, you were referring to a standard vertical antenna and not a vertical dipole. 👍🏻

[@P.SeanCoady]

It always hard to beat a dipole. Simple and efficient.

[@dalemyers9439]

Walt, I built your 10 meter and 20 meter antenna exactly as you suggested. Took 20 mins to get both up. I was on a boat dock near Jekyll Island, Ga. Put one bare wire in the salt marsh water. Worked Europe immediately. The 20 meter was attached to my surf rod and the 10 meter to a 24 ft.telescopic pole I use for removing Spanish moss from low limbs. What a great day! Thank you for your devotion and enthusiasm. The G90 arrived yesterday so it worked as you said. Dale KB4MUO

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

That's awesome Dale! Thanks for sharing. You are going to love that G90. Such a great radio.

[@phildurall7466]

Walt ... you are US DX with almost anyone you contact being in Rhode Island. That is a rare state. That vert. dipole did the job for you Sir! Eat'n good too! 73 - KF6IF

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

@@phildurall7466 yes it’s fun being in this tiny state. I’m loving the Ocean State! 73, Walt

[@mobiltec]

This morning is even better Walt. Talking all over Europe from Nevada using the G90 into a 5/8 wave Ground Plane. Loving it.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Yes 10 is awesome right now, unfortunately there's a CME headed our way. Conditions are about to get bad.

[@paulsengupta971]

@@COASTALWAVESWIRES We were looking for the Aurora as we left the pub tonight. Didn't see one!

[@giffjim55]

I built your 1/2 wave vertical for 10m for POTA. I use a Black Widow 20-foot collapsible fishing pole to raise it. I also bought the suggested unun on Amazon. I activated this morning and had England, Wales, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, and the Netherlands contact me. It worked great, even though three of the operators said that there was a lot of QRM from possible over the horizon radar. Thanks Walt!

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Awesome, thanks for sharing! 73, Walt

[@JeffreyWilliams-x4x]

Yes I use the 20' black widow as well its really good mast 73

[@kagmich5796]

10 Meters is going crazy right now. Tons of fun! I've never thought about making a vertical dipole, but will now. Great video, as always.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thank you! easy and fun antenna to make.

[@randallbargar348]

Nothing like a vertical for working 12 and 10 meters. I miss the A-99 I had at a previous ham shack. Another great build and DXing day Walt! 73 de N2VQD

[@N8ESP]

I hear lots of stations from South America on 10m - many of which are strong. Of course, as is my luck (and for reasons I truly don't understand) my vertical struggles getting out to the south past the gulf. Loved the food! In fact, I think I'm going to have sushi for lunch in a few minutes. It's been too long! 73 de N8ESP

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

@@N8ESP keep trying, propagation that way is only going to get better. Enjoy the sushi! 73, Walt

[@hughpatterson1480]

Great Video. I will try this antenna! The 10-meter band is so great in the mornings here in CA. I've been making contacts in Europe on a daily basis. Thanks for another wonderful antenna idea...73...Hugh...KN6KNB

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks Hugh! 73 my friend

[@yqtszhj]

Conditions were good yesterday. I reached southern Chile and also Greece on 20 meters with a 1/4 wave vertical about 8 feet off the ground. Good times for sure.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Awesome! I love it when conditions are like that.

[@robertmeyer4744]

yes 10/11/12 meter really hopping . Mostly south America from NY. Even getting 29 MHZ AM. The problem I had with that dipole is keeping coax away from bottom element . It interacts and effects the radiation pattern . Also gave me common mode current. You did a good job doing that . I found the shield side a tad longer helps with the 50 ohms. making it a slight offset center dipole. The outher vertical dipole I use is the T2LT made out of RG8X . And it works out end fed so no problem with feed line. You make a choke at bottom of antenna out of coax or wrap threw FT 240-31 ferrite. On that antenna make the shield slightly longer. I have made T2LT antenna for 6/10/11/12/15 meters . mostly out of RG 8X coax. Still using my 5/8 wave ground mount. if you get on in the AM just after sunrise the UK area comes in real nice on 10/11/12 meters in NY . A little later in 15/17 meters like noon. I have hurd Ukraine and Russia on 10 meters in the early morning. Was down at noise floor . no luck. I did get Norway on FT 8 ! You need a Digi Rig on that Lincoln and you can do FT8 ! Watch power level for heat on finals . 73

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Yes, I used the back of the Jeep to pull the coax away from the antenna. I think that choke really helps as well. 73, Walt

[@WD0OMHamRadio]

Walt, I hate to sound like a broken record, but I am continually inspired by your videos. Also, I hope that book of your antenna sketches with explanations is still going to happen, because I think a simple book of practical antennas would be AMAZING for hams of all skill levels! Rothammer's and the ARRL antenna book are great, but they're also intimidating doorstops!

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thank you so very much! The good news is the book is happening and all the publishing details are taken care of. Should be out the first of the year. Thanks again for the kind words my friend! 73, Walt

[@tonym7cvk430]

Fantastic Walt had a great day on 10m on the 1/2 wave vertical today, was using a 1/4 wave banana jack wire dipole on 10m last week of September from my portable location had some great QSOs

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks! that's awesome, great DX my friend!

[@redstickham6394]

LDG Tuners are top notch. I have the Z11Pro and it can load just about anything.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Yes they are, I love mine.

[@stevenbailey5707]

Fantastic and fun video Walt. And advise the clam shack to stay open later on Wednesdays. Seafood should be a requirement. KB1SEP. 73.. BUDDY!

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks! yes I will advise them of that. The one I was going to has a seafood pot pie I wanted to try. Maybe this weekend. 73 my friend!

[@TLKjoe]

Love your videos, Walt. I'm taking my tech test on the 10th, if all goes well, I'll catch you on the air!

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Good luck! I look forward to that on-air contact! 73, Walt

[@JD144-]

Looks like that antenna is a performer for sure! Great video!

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks! yes it did well. Conditions were great which helped a lot. 73, Walt

[@davidhaman4642]

Hometown Pole! You go Walt

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Love it! 73 my friend

[@markviers998]

Using all the day light hours, must have been some good DX

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

It was a great day!

[@rjy8960]

I need to try raw fish at some stage - I did order steak tartare in France a LONG time ago not knowing what it was and was topped with a raw egg so had to sen it back. One of my friends was really ill for a few days after eating it and just looking at the raw egg over a mountain of raw meat. I now know that the lemon has a cooking effect. I like in the UK's second city Birmingham and used to go to the Birmingham fish market with my parents and loved whelks, perrywinkles and cockles served in small dishes when I was a child so I've never had a problem with shellfish (it was cooked) but the jump to raw is something of a challenge that I need to get over, especially if I'm missing out on delicacies.....

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

The key to the raw fish is the seasoning or sauce on it. That salmon had a ginger sauce all over it which made it very tasty.

[@marek100play]

Totally agree the 10m band was crease mad last couple of days, Ivan managed to make two contacts running QRP power with Canada and New York stations from the UK , 73s Walter de M7SZY

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks for watching! 73, Walt

[@GoAmateurRadio]

Your antenna is a performer! Great job!

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thank you, that was a fun and easy one to build. 73, Walt

[@KQ4KXA]

Another great video walt thanks wish i had this antenna and a portable battery to use during the hurricane mess down here in NC just got power back today

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Sorry to hear that, stay safe my friend. 73, Walt

[@ScatManAust]

Good stuff there Walt. A ripper day on 10m here in Kalgoorlie Boulder too mate.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

@@ScatManAust thanks! I was hoping to catch some calls down that way. I’ll keep trying. 73, Walt

[@jerryKB2GCG]

and thank you for another great video!

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks for watching!

[@KQ4JGS]

10m and Poke, great combination 🤙

[@stephanhersey1186]

Enjoy your videos. Do like the after activation food reports. Steve, k7ofg

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thank you so much Steve! 73 my friend

[@johnnorth9355]

Ten is so hot even my compromised set up is DX'ing with ease. 73 M7BLC

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Let's hope it stays that way! 73 my friend

[@miker7962]

Another stellar video 🤠 de WE0H ..

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thank you so much Mike!

[@joekrepps]

I’ve often thought the vertical dipole never gets enough love. Super low takeoff angle and easy to build BUT…I’ve heard that the end of the bottom wire “needs” to be 1/4-1/2 wavelength above ground. Comments?

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

I've heard and made this one to where the feedpoint is 1/2 wavelength above the ground. I probably should have dwelled on that a little more in the video.

[@morecambeanglersandtrawler1074]

Walter you had me real worried there lol. When I saw a new g90. I was do happy lol. Nice try. You had me then lol. See you later mate Mark

[@agoraphobicadam1171]

Great contacts! KO4HPC 73

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks! That was fun

[@scottmorris4914]

need to change the channel name to “Coastal Waves & Wires, & Seafood Restauranr Review."

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

LOL

[@vicmiller7191]

That dish looked good, but I do prefer my fish cooked. If it was cooked, I would have pounded it down. Thanks for another good video in the books. 73 Vic de KE8JWE

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

You can actually get it with cooked shrimp which is very good. 73, Walt

[@JeffreyWilliams-x4x]

Good video looking for my step drill and about to make a hamstick dipole ,73

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

@@JeffreyWilliams-x4x good luck! 73 Walt

[@robertheberling3522]

If you are gonna eat Poke, might as well have a Spam Musubi too!

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Oh yeah! I ate scrambled eggs and spam a few times while I was over in KH land. It was great.

[@chuckrann6282]

“Oh my God he’s eating raw fish!” Ha ha ha

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

@@chuckrann6282 hahahaha

[@christophermarshall5765]

If you can find a place there that sells it, try the southern bluefin tuna. They are caught here in South Australian waters.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Oh wow, I want some and will try to find it.

[@Retired_Five-0_W4WAG]

Another Great Antenna Build from the DXAdmiral. Great pipeline into South America. With the conditions on 10 meters opening up, I’ve been reading up and searching KZbin on 10 Meter Repeaters. Have you done any repeater work on 10 meters Walt? Any suggestion would be appreciated!

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks! I haven't and I heard some FM repeater guys last weekend. I need to educate myself on setting up for that and give it a try.

[@paulsengupta971]

I have transmitted through the Moscow 10m repeater from the UK....I also heard someone in the USA talk to some Russians and a Dutchman on the same repeater. Intercontinental repeater use is quite fun!

[@paulsengupta971]

RR3AAC

[@Julie-zy6bn]

Thanks for another great video Walt. Curious what logging software you use on your iPad?

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks! I just use QRZ via their web page

[@patricenegros3982]

I built one for the same reason last week and had a lot of fun all week long. I am still wondering if a voltage balun 1.1 would be better than a choke on the feed point...

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

I think a balun would work much better than a choke for sure.

[@George_S.G]

Great video, question , can you let me know where did you buy that Backpack? thank you and 73.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks! The brand of that bag is Highland Tactical. I found that one at a TJ Maxx store.

[@George_S.G]

Thank you!!73

[@spencerhurley8359]

I'm over in Hawaii, I would love to do my first 10m contact towards the east coast! I ran a dipole today with no luck. What did the end of your wires look like on the dipole?

[@scottmorris4914]

great video. Do you think that dipole did better than the 5/8 wave antenna in the last video?

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

That's a hard one to tell because the conditions were a bit better with this antenna. I like them both.

[@levi5548]

Just made a contact with japan on 10m with 20 watts and a dipole

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

That's awesome! great contact

[@jerryKB2GCG]

ooops, no balun, meant at the banana clip end or radio end

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

@@jerryKB2GCG yes I understood. Banana clip end.

[@jerryKB2GCG]

Is the choke end of the coax at the balun end or at the radio end ? I want to help a tech friend of mine to build this.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

It’s at the feedpoint antenna end. Thanks for watching and 73, Walt

[@KE4NAB]

Hey Walt, my uncle and I have a cobweb antenna ordered.... How do they rate? (It's an 8 band so it includes 80m)

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

They are absolutely incredible. Great antenna, you will love it. Did you buy the one built in Poland?

[@carmenb1059]

Could I use galvanized steel conduit for the mast?

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

No, the antenna will couple with it and it will be a nightmare to tune.

[@carmenb1059]

@@COASTALWAVESWIRES Thanks Walt - that's what I thought but I wanted to be sure.

[@45Unit]

No frialator cooked food......more healthy for you. Atlantic Salmon was a good choice.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Yes indeed!