getting ready to build a Fan Dipole, not sure what bands I should cut it for

[mr_fx]

I am planning to get the General ticket here very soon, I know that I plan to build/use a fan dipole. However I am not sure what bands I should be focusing on.

I am running a Yaesu FT-890 with built in autotuner (good for 3:1 swr)

I know I will be interested in 80 and 10. I have heard chit chat on 40. 20 meters seems to be mentioned often. But what about 17 and 15?

I heard the 160m is a challenge to compete with natural qrm, and as such many people have told me to not bother messing with 160m unless I plan to run a lot of power, however I still find it kinda interesting.

I have an old Antron 99 that COULD be used for something, 10 meters being the most likely choice.

I mean I guess I could build a 160, 80, 40, 20, 17, 15, 12, 10 Fan Dipole.

 

[wavrider]

Unless you plan on using an amplifier, 160 meters is rough, not saying you can not make contacts on 100 watts on phone but it will be rough.


80/40/20 fan dipole will give you four bands.
80/40/20/15 meters using the third harmonic off 40 meters to work 15 meters.

Build a second fan dipole for 10/12/17.

This will give you your WARC bands also.

Trying to put to many legs on a fan dipole can get tricky.

Ham universe has some good instructions on how to build a multi band dipole.

 

[W5LZ]

A 'fan' or multi-band dipole isn't a bad idea, and your 'A99' should do okay for 10 meters. As for 160, it isn't really the power that's a deciding factor it's the antenna. A 160 meter antenna is 'large'! If you have the room to put one up, then have at it. If you have to use a loaded, or otherwise 'shortened' antenna get ready for very limited contacts, they just are not very efficient at all. 160 meters isn't as 'populated' as the other bands because the antenna is simply too big for most people to manage, not too practical. The WARC bands aren't harmonically related like the other bands, so usually require separate antennas. That's not particularly 'bad', just different.
Nothing says you gotta 'do' all bands at once. Getting an antenna up for one of the bands near the WARC band is one way to listen to see if you might want to 'do' them. it isn't unusual for someone to start with one or two antennas and then 'add' to them later, that's how most people do it.
Have fun.
- 'Doc

 

[mr_fx]

I have room for 160, that is not at all an issue, esp. if I choose to do an inverted V or L configuration

 

[mr_fx]

Trying to put to many legs on a fan dipole can get tricky.

I am assuming that the tricky part is in the tuning

 

[vo1ks]

You will find some interaction between the dipoles. When tuning, start at the lowest frequency band and work up.

I am assuming that the tricky part is in the tuning

 

[mr_fx]

You will find some interaction between the dipoles. When tuning, start at the lowest frequency band and work up.

that's what I had gathered

 

[mr_fx]

so if I am just going to tune this using my HF rig and an SWR meter? should I just turn it down low (RF power) and key up on AM like I would on CB, OR should I try to barrow an antenna analyzer?

 

[binrat]

Beg, borrow an analyzer is your best bet.

 

[mr_fx]

Beg, borrow an analyzer is your best bet.

what about steal, I could plan a daring midday robbery of the local bank and use the funds to purchase one.

 

[jon666]

exam

I am planning to get the General ticket here very soon, I know that I plan to build/use a fan dipole. However I am not sure what bands I should be focusing on.

I am running a Yaesu FT-890 with built in autotuner (good for 3:1 swr)

I know I will be interested in 80 and 10. I have heard chit chat on 40. 20 meters seems to be mentioned often. But what about 17 and 15?

I heard the 160m is a challenge to compete with natural qrm, and as such many people have told me to not bother messing with 160m unless I plan to run a lot of power, however I still find it kinda interesting.

I have an old Antron 99 that COULD be used for something, 10 meters being the most likely choice.

I mean I guess I could build a 160, 80, 40, 20, 17, 15, 12, 10 Fan Dipole.

i just passed my general exam on monday. looking to buy my first hf radio.
but ma said i have to sell the cb stuff first.

 

[binrat]

i just passed my general exam on monday. looking to buy my first hf radio.
but ma said i have to sell the cb stuff first.

What do you got, I may offer a trade??

 

[wavrider]

I am assuming that the tricky part is in the tuning

N4UJW ANTENNA DESIGN LAB - Ham Radio Antennas - Design 0r Build Your own Ham Radio Antenna

A few links with detailed instructions.

I put my feed point 12" apart and separated them with pvc for spacers. It worked decent and was able to tune all bands that the antenna was designed for including the 15 meter band working off of the 40 meter dipole 3rd harmonic.

I made many contacts with that fan dipole and I have one here for 20/40/80 meters.

If you can get it high enough you can work good DX on 40 meters.

 

[Robb]

AE5JU Multiband Fan Dipole

 

[Mudfoot]

I have been using a 10-15-20 meter fan dipole for years. It works real well for what I need.