Hobbies And Interests
Things You'll Need
Instructions
Preheat the soldering iron for about 15 minutes. Allow it to reach full operating temperature.
Cut the end of the ladder line that will be connected to the two wires of the dipole antenna. Cut just below the last separator at the end of the line so the two wire lengths are as long as possible and can be bent outward separately. Strip off 1 inch of insulation from each of those wire ends.
Twist the left ladder line wire together with the left wire half of the dipole antenna so the two are connected. Ensure that a gentle tug cannot pull the ladder line wire and the antenna wire apart. Twist the right ladder line wire together with the right wire half of the dipole antenna so the two are connected. Use the gentle tug test once again to make sure the wires don't separate.
Heat the left wire junction for about 30 to 45 seconds with the tip of a hot soldering iron. After the twisted wires have been heated, touch the tip of the solder wire to the junction and allow about 3 inches of solder to flow over the twisted wire joint. Remove the soldering iron tip and the solder wire and allow it to cool. Solder the right wire junction using the same technique.
Run the ladder line into the building where the radio receiver or transmitter is located. Prepare the plug that will be soldered to the interior end of the ladder line. Most antenna connector plugs come with an outer sleeve, or jacket, that can be screwed off of the interior portion of the plug for easy soldering. Ladder line is used with radio connectors that have a solder connection of one wire to the outer jacket of the plug and a solder connection of the other wire to the center pin of the plug. With a dipole antenna, it doesn't matter which ladder line wire is soldered to the plug, as long as one wire is soldered to the jacket and the other is soldered to the center pin.
Cut the end of the ladder line that will be soldered to the connector plug so that there is about 1/2 inch of wire on both sides extending above the last spacer. Strip away 1/4 inch of insulation from the tip of each of these wires. Gently slide the outer jacket of the connector plug over the end of the ladder line so that it can be screwed back onto the connector after the ladder line wires have been soldered to the interior terminals of the plug.
Solder the bare end of one wire to the center pin of the connector plug and the other bare end of the second wire to the small soldering lug connected to the outside jacket of the plug. Hold the bare end of the wire in place while heating it along with the metal to which it is being soldered. Allow these joints to heat for no more than five seconds before touching the solder wire tip to them. Allow about 1/4 inch of solder wire to melt onto each of the wire connections. Remove the soldering iron tip and allow the wires to cool.
Check your soldering work before sliding or screwing the outer jacket cover back onto the connector plug. The wires should not pull from their connections with moderate tugging. When satisfied, slide the outer jacket cover onto the connector plug. Screw it on, if necessary.
Connect the plug to the antenna jack on the radio. Tune your radio to your favorite frequency and enjoy your listening or transmitting experience.