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How to Feed a Horizontal Dipole Antenna

Dipole antennas, which are widely used by HAM radio hobbyists, are easy to hook up at a very low investment cost. The point at which the wire from the radio connects to the dipole antenna is called the feed point. Using a 450-ohm balanced line (twin lead, ladder line) wire is a very popular method of feeding the antenna from the radio, and requires only a few wire connections.

Things You'll Need

450-ohm balanced line wire, 100 feet
Wire strippers
2 wire nuts
Electrical tape

Instructions

- 1
  Stretch out the roll of wire. Route one end to the existing antenna.
- 2
  Strip 1 inch of outer insulation off each wire on the end of the ladder line wire. The twin lead/ladder line wire looks very similar to TV lead wire, with two wires running parallel to each other, separated by a plastic insulator between the two wires.
- 3
  Strip 1 inch of insulation off each leg, or wire, running off the antenna, if needed. Twist one wire from the end of the ladder line to one of the wires on the antenna, and the remaining ladder line wire to the other wire for the antenna. Twist the wires in a clockwise direction. The ladder line now joins the two wires of the antenna together to form the feed point in the center of the antenna.
- 4
  Twist a wire nut on the end of each wire connection to secure the connection and help prevent the wires from being pulled apart.
- 5
  Wrap each wire nut in electrical tape to protect the wires from the weather.
- 6
  Route the remaining end of the ladder line to the radio. Connect the wire to the radio.
- 7
  Turn on the radio and tune to the desired frequency to test for reception.

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