How to Build a Dipole Antenna

Constructing and Erecting the Antenna

• 1

  Plan the layout for the dipole. Stretch each dipole leg about 65 feet in a straight line if possible.

• 2

  Determine what support you'll use for the center insulator. A 30-foot TV mast fixed to house eaves serves nicely.

• 3

  Attach a small pulley to the mast top.

• 4

  Run a light rope through the pulley.

• 5

  Erect the mast.

• 6

  Obtain 135 feet of wire - 14-gauge should suffice. Scrap wire, either bare or insulated, will work fine.

• 7

  Obtain the center insulator and leg-end insulators.

• 8

  Cut the wire in half and then trim each each leg to a resonate at a specific frequency if you like.

• 9

  Attach one end of each leg to the center insulator, coating the connection with silicone sealant.

• 10

  Attach the other end of each leg to an end insulator.

• 11

  Attach coaxial feed line to the center insulator and carry the other end to the point at which it will enter your house.

• 12

  Use cable ties to secure the coax to the house between the mast and the entrance point.

• 13

  Attach the center insulator to a rope end and pull it to the top of the mast.

• 14

  Tie the rope to secure it to the support mast.

• 15

  Select end supports such as trees, fence posts, garage eaves or an existing TV mast.

• 16

  Stretch out each leg of wire to its end support.

• 17

  Thread light rope through the opposite side of the end insulators.

• 18

  Tie the end insulators to the end supports.

Bringing the Feed Line Into the Radio Room

• 19

  Make certain you have enough coaxial cable to reach the radio room.

• 20

  Wind up any extra cable and secure it under your radio desk. Extra cable might be necessary if you choose to move the radio.

• 21

  Find a means of entering the dwelling, such as through a crawl space or gable vent.

• 22

  Feed the cable from the antenna support mast to the point nearest the radio room.

• 23

  Drill an adequate hole in the floor or wall.

• 24

  Feed the cable through the opening.

• 25

  Attach to the antenna tuner.

• 26

  Run a separate ground wire (8- or 10-gauge) from the antenna tuner to the ground rod.

• 27

  Attach the tuner to the radio with a short piece of coax cable.