Build a Dipole Antenna Center Insulator - Ham Radio Q&A

Very ubiquitous 😂

I can't find the exact tee connector used in the video. No ¾ x ¾ x 1 inch PVC Tee connector anywhere online.

I was told to use this type of antenna with my re entry to CB as I work toward a ham license. Will this work as a base radio antenna?

Thanks for making it so easy

Thank you. That was very helpful Michael .

Great video! Easy for folks to follow. I typically build my own 20m center-fed dipoles. I run one in my attic and the 2nd is used for deployment in the field when playing ham radio. 73, KB5AEB

Coax to 3.5mm jack connection method?

i know this seems like a stupid question but how do you finish up the antenna from there? why do you have 2 prongs coming out the bottom?

I would recommend using a bulkhead connector with a square mounting flange; so that it can be mounted outside on the pvc end cap allowing the full length of thread on the so-239 connector to be available for the pl-259 to properly seat. The one wire would solder to the center connector of the so-239 and the other wire would attach to one of the small mounting screws for the so-239 bulkhead connector.

where do you get ¾ inch PVC plugs without threads???

Good explanation. I modified the structural parts a little based on what I had available but it's just what I need and cheaper than ordering the part on its own. Great explanation, you're a good teacher. Very clear instructions, great angles for seeing how you did it. Nice and simple.

Great video! Very nice design and construction build! TYFP!

Good explanation, with attention to safety.

Looking to make a dipole for 11 meters.

Best way to get from tree to deck

This I've been looking for. Others don't really explain this part

Where is the video for the actual antenna?

Is the dipole length going to be off because of the extra wire soldered to the connector

thank you for the DIY, I will do the same. Very informative channel

Appreciate your detailed explanation it’s time to replace my current dipole antenna. My current center insulator has been in use for 20 years. 73 de AA4SH

I’d recommend a chassis mount so-239 because you can bolt onto the ground part instead of trying to solder to it.

Well put together how to video...thank you,

Would you choke it at the dipole or at the radio?

how much power will this handle?

THAT DOES NOT WORK .

TO BELIEVE THAT A PL CONNECTOR CAN HOLD THE WEIGHT OF THE COAXIAL CABLE IS RIDICULOUS

"pole" does not mean part, you silly american

Great video thanks.

Is a balun needed for a 20M Dipole antenna? I will not be using this 20M dipole for any other frequencies other than the 20M that it was made for. I made mine the exact way you made your antenna in this video. I also have an isolater. Would I need both? Do they pretty much do the same job?

Question: what is the purpose of the eye hooks if the dipole is suspended by the end insulators? I can see having one on top if it is going to be hung as an inverted vee, but I’m confused what the side ones will do. Thanks!

I like this center insulator but I made a small addition. I put in a small screw (with the head on the inside of each arm). The wires from the connector in the base come out in the armpits of the T as shown. I put a ring connector on each of those wires and run to the screw. Each of the wires for the fan dipole also have a ring connector and attach to the screws and then i put a num on to hold the ring connectors in place.

I am sorry but I have one last question. As far as the length of wire, do you count the small length of wire connected to the SO 239 (coming out of the dipole) to be included in the total calculated length? For example if the total required length of wire needed was 16ft/5 inches and the wire connected to the SO 239 coming out of the dipole was 5 inches, would you make the antenna wire 16ft being that the 5 inch wire coming out of the dipole will be soldered to the 16ft antenna wire for the required 16ft 5 inches?

Hello KB9VBR, First let me say thank you for the great video. It is well appreciated. I have a question. You stated you built that antenna for about $12.00 out of part that were commonly available at local home improvement store. I went to Lowes as well as Home depot and the items came to more than $12.00. I n addition to this nether store had eye bolts that were in the size of 3/16 x 1 ½ inch eye bolts. The closest I saw to that sze was 3/16 x 1 inch. Neither store had the PVC Plugs that were 3/4 inches. Also when I went to Lowes, they did not have any PVC plugs to fit the 3/4 X 3/4 X 1 inch PVC Tee connector. I am not sure where you purchased the parts from but I do know that Lowes and Home Depot did not have it in my area. Can you tell me where you ordered your parts from? Thanks.

Great video, and spot on. Any subjections on how to make this center insulator to work for a 5-fan dipole, I looking at making. Thanks again for the video.

Doc?!

I’m about to make an attempt with this project. The only problem is, I cannot find a 3/4 x 3/4 x 1 tee. I can only find 3/4 x 3/4 x 3/4 tee. Will that still work?

This is a great video! You brilliantly demonstrate why sometimes its simply better to buy something from someone than to make it yourself. With all your parts costs, tools and time, you spent about 5x the cost of just buying one online.

Michael, I just used this design to make a 10m dipole this morning. I used it for a POTA activation this afternoon and made DX contacts in Spain, France & PR, as well as several in the US. Simple easy center insulator, excellent instructions. Thanks for your help.

hey Michael!! im a brand new ham radio licensed past november 2022 (XE2AKL) here in san luis potosi mexio, and your video was the most easy of all!! thank you for your time and I am already your fan as soon as i get this done i ll send you a pic

My man only blinked twice during the entirety of the video. There is a great chance that you are a Staring Competition World Champion in an Alternative Reality. Thanks for the video. Really helpful by the way.

Do you have a video on how to make a fan dipole?

The balun needs to have an impedance matching transformer to "balance" the load at 50ohms.
You also need to make sure, when you erect the Dipole, you have several layers of insulators at uneven wavelengths to reduce noise and attenuation

Local home depot does not carry 3/4 3/4 1" Tee - in fact cannot find on line LOL - Where the heck do we get them. I could go up to 1" x 1" x 1", I can find that...

Can You tell me the type of cable used??? Thanks.

Thanks for your time!,

Just found your channel. Excellent content. 🍸 question. Full wave mid range(27.185) CB dipole antenna . How long total length? and how long left side? How long other side? What Gage wire for said dipole with 100 watt output. Loved the Bloopers

What about using a line isolater near the transceiver to combat common mode current?

I built on of those in the mid 80's... still have it. Worked well

I made a dipole antenna for the CB Band back in around 2008. I used a triple female coax T connector for the center part. I used two PL-259 connectors to attach the dipole wires to it. One connector used the center pin and the other connector used the shield hole. It worked pretty good and I got a good match after trimming down the wires. I took a nylon coated clothes line and taped the dipole to it and used the clothes line to stretch it out and tie it off to the fence clothes line poles in the back yard. I taped the lenght of the feed coax from the center connector going down to the ground to a clothes prop and hooked the prop to the clothes line at the center to support the antenna. I called it an invisible dipole because it looked like I just had a clothes line and clothes prop stretched out across the yard.

can i use this to string two dipoles, 40 and 20 meter dipoles on this one insulator?? thank you...Buddy