How to Raise an HF Antenna

Longwire and Dipole Antennas

• 1

  Decide upon tall supports for the rope ends of the dipole or longwire antenna you are erecting. Suitable supports can be trees, tall poles, unused flagpoles or the top end of a roof. In the case of a dipole antenna, one support must be located where the center of the antenna will be hoisted. In the case of a longwire antenna, one tall support must be located at each of the two ends of the wire.

• 2

  Wrap each end of the dipole or longwire antenna around a ceramic insulator. When you wrap the wire, pull enough length around the insulator so you are able to wind it around the wire itself 6 to 10 turns. Wrap the windings heavily with black electrical tape, or solder with a soldering iron so it doesn't unravel from the insulator. Do the same for each end of the dipole or longwire antenna.

• 3

  Tie the end of rope from your rope spool to the center of a dipole antenna if it is the type you are installing. If using a tree for the center support, throw the entire spool over a thick tree branch and allow it to fall back down to the ground. Pull on the rope to hoist the center until it is almost touching the tree limb, then tie the rope around the tree trunk. Tie the rope securely to the trunk.

• 4

  Pass rope through the centers of each of the ceramic insulators at the ends of the dipole or longwire, then run the rope until it meets the end supports (for longwire) or tent peg locations (for dipoles). Cut the rope ends so the rope is at least 1 foot longer than necessary to tie off the ends.

• 5

  Connect the rope ends to the end supports. For dipole antennas, tie off the rope ends onto tent pegs. Pull each rope end until the wire length of the antenna is straight without sagging in the middle, then tap the tent pegs into the ground. Do this with each side of the wire, one at a time. For longwire antennas, use an extendable ladder to climb to at least 20 feet high on each of the end supports. Pull each rope end until the wire is straight without sagging in the middle, then tie off with triple knots to prevent unraveling.

Beam Antenna on Tower

• 6

  Arrange for a date in which a licensed crane operator can arrive at the tower location and organize your helpers so they can all be there on that day as well.

• 7

  Put on a tower climbing harness and a lineman's belt. Equip the lineman's belt with all wrenches that will be necessary for mounting your HF beam antenna onto the top of the tower. Tie the coaxial cable end onto the lineman's belt so the end is with you as you climb to the top of the tower.

• 8

  Provide a two-way radio for each of your helpers, the crane operator, and yourself. The radios will be necessary to help your team when raising the beam to the top of your tower.

• 9

  Tie the rope ends of two spools to the center of the HF beam's center tubing using double knots, then unroll the rope so each spool is stretched out in the same length as the height of the tower. These are called the "guide ropes" and must be used to "steer" the beam to you when preparing to set it onto the mast at the top of your tower.

• 10

  Perform a radio check and have each team member verify they are able to both transmit and receive and are able to hear all other party members clearly. Put on a hard hat and have all other party members do the same. Climb the tower, radio the crane operator to hoist the beam up to you and have your team members guide the beam as it is being lifted. Once it reaches your location at the top of the tower, set it onto the mast and tighten it down with the mounting hardware provided. Connect the cable end, disconnect the ropes and the crane hook, and carefully climb down the tower.