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How to Make a 20 Meter Dipole

The 20-meter or 14 megahertz (MHz) radio band falls within the high-frequency amateur radio spectrum. Twenty meters designates the length of the particular radio wave used to transmit and receive voice and Morse code. Radioteletype is used frequently on this band as well. A dipole design for the 20-meter band is an efficient and inexpensive antenna for the novice and veteran ham enthusiast alike.

Things You'll Need

Speaker wire, 18-gauge, 18 feet long
Coaxial cable, 75-ohm with connectors, 10 feet long
Terminal strip, 2-position, dual-row
Wire-stripping tool
Utility knife
Screwdriver
Tape measure
2 ring terminal lugs
Pliers
Fishing line

Instructions

- 1
  Separate the speaker wire into two 18-foot lengths. Measure 206 11/16 inches from the end of each wire, and cut the wires to this length. Strip 1/2 inch of insulation from both ends of each wire. These will be the dipole antenna elements.
- 2
  Cut the connector from one end of the coaxial cable. Remove 1 inch of insulation from this end. Slice down the side of the braided sheath and twist the braid into a wire. Strip 1/2 inch of plastic insulation from the inner copper wire.
- 3
  Orient the terminal strip so that the rows are vertical. Connect an antenna wire to each of the top screws. Attach the twisted braid wire and the coaxial copper wire to a separate bottom screw.
- 4
  Crimp a ring terminal to the free end of each antenna wire.
- 5
  Stretch the antenna wires out, forming a T shape. Hang the antenna taut using fishing line tied to the ring terminals.
- 6
  Connect the free end of the coaxial cable to the external jack of the radio receiver.

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