How to Make a 10 Meter Dipole Antenna

Cut two pieces of the Plexiglas to the measure 2 by 3 inches. Drill a 1/4-inch hole in each end of the pieces (end insulators).

Cut an additional piece of the Plexiglas in the shape of a "T" measuring 3 inches wide by 4 inches tall. Drill a 1/4-inch hole in each end of the "T" and one at the bottom.

Using the utility knife, carefully cut away exactly 2 inches of the black outer shield on the coax cable. Take note to not cut through into the metal shielding underneath.

Pull back the metal mesh braided wire to one side and twist it clockwise into one wire. This will reveal a white plastic (or PVC) shielding over the center conductor.

Using the utility knife, carefully cut 1/2 inch of the white plastic (or PVC) insulation away from the center conductor. Be sure not to cut into the center wire.

Mount the coax cable securely to the bottom of the T-shaped Plexiglas using a piece of the rope and the hole drilled at the bottom. Make sure that the end of the coax cable if roughly even with the top of the T.

Cut two lengths of the stranded copper wire that measure 18 feet each. Strip the ends of the insulation off the wire and gently twist clockwise the exposed wire to ensure all the strands are together.

Take one end of the stripped wire and run it through one hole on the side of the T about three or four times, and leave about 3 inches of wire leftover at the top of the T. Repeat this step with the remaining cut wire and the opposite hole in the other side of the T.

Solder the right-side wire to the center conductor of the coax cable. Take care to not over heat the center wire of the coax cable and melt the white insulation. When cool, tape the end tightly with electrical tape.

Solder the left wire to the braided wire mesh on the coax cable. When cool, tape the end tightly with electrical tape. This will ensure that neither wire is able to touch the other.

Use the formula (468 / freq mhz = total length in feet) as given by the ARRL (arrl.org) to help you determine the exact length to cut each leg of the antenna for the 10-meter SSB band frequencies (28.300 mhz - 28.500 mhz) for a licensed technician operator.

Round off the measurement to 17 feet. Measure the leg and cut the wire to 18 feet and insert a 2-by-3 Plexiglas insulator at each end at 17 feet; wrap the remaining wire back up and over the leg of the antenna. Leaving the extra wire will allow for any tuning needed later.

Using the rope, mount the antenna at its highest point. Using the SWR (Standing Wave Ratio) analyzer, follow the manufacturer's guidelines to tune the antenna by shortening or lengthening the antenna legs.