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Thinking about making my first experimental Di-Pole for my garage. ( Got Questions )

whiteastro

whiteastro

Sr. Member
Feb 22, 2019
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Found this Balun in Walmart .com and wondering if this is the proper one for 11 meter. I know there is cheaper ones else where but I don't have to give CC# with reloadable gift card so that's the way I choose to go.

www.walmart.com

MFJ Enterprises Original MFJ-918 MFJ 1.8-30 MHz Balun 11, 1500W PEP - Walmart.com

Arrives by Fri, Nov 25 Buy MFJ Enterprises Original MFJ-918 MFJ 1.8-30 MHz Balun 11, 1500W PEP at Walmart.com
www.walmart.com
 

whiteastro said:
Found this Balun in Walmart .com and wondering if this is the proper one for 11 meter. I know there is cheaper ones else where but I don't have to give CC# with reloadable gift card so that's the way I choose to go.

www.walmart.com

MFJ Enterprises Original MFJ-918 MFJ 1.8-30 MHz Balun 11, 1500W PEP - Walmart.com

Arrives by Fri, Nov 25 Buy MFJ Enterprises Original MFJ-918 MFJ 1.8-30 MHz Balun 11, 1500W PEP at Walmart.com
www.walmart.com
Click to expand...
That’s the right one.
Here’s a calculator for determining wire lengths.
https://www.westmountainradio.com/antenna_calculator.php?frequency
Start with lengths a couple of inches longer than recommended and trim them (equally) for lowest SWR.
 
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Thanks for the info, now another question is I have a partial spool of some kind of communication wire that was being throw out but was never used. It has 6 separate strands of 22 gauge wire with a bare ground and a foil coating around it, if I soldered them all together could i use that wire on each side of the balun for a leg of the dipole or does it need to be a certain OHM wire ?
 
whiteastro said:
Thanks for the info, now another question is I have a partial spool of some kind of communication wire that was being throw out but was never used. It has 6 separate strands of 22 gauge wire with a bare ground and a foil coating around it, if I soldered them all together could i use that wire on each side of the balun for a leg of the dipole or does it need to be a certain OHM wire ?
Click to expand...
That should work fine. :giggle:
 
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Riverman said:
That should work fine. :giggle:
Click to expand...
Thanks for the encouragement, as it will aid in my willingness to experimenting with useless stuff laying around and be glad I gave it a purpose in life. LOL PS if it works out I'll have enough for at least a couple!
 
whiteastro said:
Thanks for the info, now another question is I have a partial spool of some kind of communication wire that was being throw out but was never used. It has 6 separate strands of 22 gauge wire with a bare ground and a foil coating around it, if I soldered them all together could i use that wire on each side of the balun for a leg of the dipole or does it need to be a certain OHM wire ?
Click to expand...
Ya as long as your soldering the bare wire that ties the shield in it should work.

Do you have a SWR meter?
 
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It's great to experiment and build as that's how we all gain better understanding. That balun is pricey for what it is. There are less expensive baluns out there if you dig a little more.

This whole dipole with balun ready to hang is less expensive than the mfj.
www.ebay.com

CB Radio Antennas for Sale - eBay

Save Big on new & used CB Radio Antennas from top brands like Wilson, Firestik, Cobra & more. Shop our extensive selection of products and best online deals. Free Shipping for many items!
www.ebay.com

I've had this very one in the attic for about 5 years now as a backup antenna and for local talk.

Not discouraging a home brew by any means, just saying that balun is on the high side from there considering it's only the balun.
 
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Eldorado828 said:
It's great to experiment and build as that's how we all gain better understanding. That balun is pricey for what it is. There are less expensive baluns out there if you dig a little more.

This whole dipole with balun ready to hang is less expensive than the mfj.
www.ebay.com

CB Radio Antennas for Sale - eBay

Save Big on new & used CB Radio Antennas from top brands like Wilson, Firestik, Cobra & more. Shop our extensive selection of products and best online deals. Free Shipping for many items!
www.ebay.com

I've had this very one in the attic for about 5 years now as a backup antenna and for local talk.

Not discouraging a home brew by any means, just saying that balun is on the high side from there considering it's only the balun.
Click to expand...
Yes I know the balun is on the high side but I don't use paypal anymore and I don't want to bother my daughter to buy another one from eBay. I have a 1/4-1/3 of a roll of wire I want to use up instead of taking it to the scrap yard So why not learn something in the process. Thanks for the help. I also have a eBay di-pole in my attic that I have to get up and shorten. I'm impressed on how quite they can be.
 
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234/Frequency in MHz=length of one "pole" in feet.
468/Frequency in MHz= overall length of "dipole"

234/27.185= 8.608 ft. = 8' 7-1/4"
My experience is that I've always had to trim wire off to tune to my desired frequency using this equation.
But like Riverman said it never hurts to cut long to give yourself enough rope to secure the ends.
 
Last edited:
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