Get ready to dive into the world of amateur radio with my home-brewed masterpiece. My Centre-Fed Dipole Antenna is ready to enhance HF experiences, and I am excited to share how I built it in this photo feature. After watching countless videos, reading books, and dealing with the limitations of my local hardware stores, I settled on this design. It includes some clever touches—waterproof sealing with a hot glue gun, bullet connectors for easy wire changes, and fasteners instead of eye bolts. Most of the materials came from things I had at home.
My Centre-Fed Dipole Shines Bright
My Centre-Fed Dipole Antenna looks fabulous with its sparkling pearls and sequins that glow like LEDs when light hits them. Its eye-catching design invites me to set it up and explore the HF bands of ham radio. The mix of artistry and functionality reflects my passion as a radio enthusiast.
Craftsmanship at Its Best
Every detail counts. Here's a closer look at the heart of my Centre-Fed Dipole Antenna. Bullet connectors provide a strong connection and allow for easy wire changes and disconnection after field operations. A touch of hot glue secures the insulating sleeves. Sourcing the right eye bolts with washers and nuts was challenging, but I found a suitable fastener at a store, trimmed it to size, and it fits perfectly. The only downside is that it's not stainless steel, so it might rust.
The PVC caps have a dome shape rather than being flat, creating small gaps when housing the SO239 antenna socket. I sealed them with a hot glue gun. I used thick copper braided wires and soldered them, along with bullet connectors, to make unplugging and rolling the wires easy.
Ready for HF Adventure
Assembling the Support System
I am assembling the structure to house the Centre-Fed Dipole. Various connectors will plumb a 20-inch long, half-inch diameter PVC pipe at the top with the main metallic mast, which is around 11 feet long and one-and-a-half inches in diameter. This common pole will support my HF dreams and welcome a VHF companion. The idea is to separate it with a short PVC at the top for better efficiency.
The Stalwart Mast
Meet the 20-inch-long, half-inch PVC pipe—an essential part of my antenna setup. It's the foundation for exploring the HF bands. Perched on an 11-foot metal mast, this sturdy combination is set to reach new heights and explore the radio spectrum's mysteries.
-1.jpg)
.jpg)
Ready for Any Weather
Nothing will stop my Centre-Fed Dipole Antenna. This hook, with its protective heat shrink tubing, stands strong against harsh weather conditions. It's where my antenna will find its temporary home, broadcasting my voice, signals, and enthusiasm to the world. The adventure awaits, and I am ready to dive into the realm of HF radio.
This is a developing article. As soon as the Centre-Fed Dipole HF Antenna takes its place on the sky, this photo feature will be updated, bringing you closer to the world of amateur radio.
My Centre-Fed Dipole Shines Bright
My Centre-Fed Dipole Antenna looks fabulous with its sparkling pearls and sequins that glow like LEDs when light hits them. Its eye-catching design invites me to set it up and explore the HF bands of ham radio. The mix of artistry and functionality reflects my passion as a radio enthusiast.
Every detail counts. Here's a closer look at the heart of my Centre-Fed Dipole Antenna. Bullet connectors provide a strong connection and allow for easy wire changes and disconnection after field operations. A touch of hot glue secures the insulating sleeves. Sourcing the right eye bolts with washers and nuts was challenging, but I found a suitable fastener at a store, trimmed it to size, and it fits perfectly. The only downside is that it's not stainless steel, so it might rust.
The PVC caps have a dome shape rather than being flat, creating small gaps when housing the SO239 antenna socket. I sealed them with a hot glue gun. I used thick copper braided wires and soldered them, along with bullet connectors, to make unplugging and rolling the wires easy.
Ready for HF Adventure
Check out my jazzy Centre-Fed Dipole Antenna setup with connected bullet pins. A patch cable offers a sneak peek into the SO239 connector, ready for action. The white plastic anchors with black bands will soon fasten the antenna wires with nylon ropes, extending into the sky and embracing the world of radio waves. Interestingly, the plastic anchors come from an old bathroom cistern! The vivid blue and red wires, each around 11 meters and 6 inches, are ready for the 20-Meter HF band. Get ready for a symphony of signals and connections that traverse the globe.
I am assembling the structure to house the Centre-Fed Dipole. Various connectors will plumb a 20-inch long, half-inch diameter PVC pipe at the top with the main metallic mast, which is around 11 feet long and one-and-a-half inches in diameter. This common pole will support my HF dreams and welcome a VHF companion. The idea is to separate it with a short PVC at the top for better efficiency.
The Stalwart Mast
Meet the 20-inch-long, half-inch PVC pipe—an essential part of my antenna setup. It's the foundation for exploring the HF bands. Perched on an 11-foot metal mast, this sturdy combination is set to reach new heights and explore the radio spectrum's mysteries.
-1.jpg)
.jpg)
Ready for Any Weather
Nothing will stop my Centre-Fed Dipole Antenna. This hook, with its protective heat shrink tubing, stands strong against harsh weather conditions. It's where my antenna will find its temporary home, broadcasting my voice, signals, and enthusiasm to the world. The adventure awaits, and I am ready to dive into the realm of HF radio.
This article has been updated as of 02 July 2024
My Centre-Fed Dipole Antenna, along with the dipole wires, plastic anchors, nylon ropes, and the common mast for HF and VHF, was ready to be hoisted on our terrace. The next important step was to find two non-metallic poles, at least 10 feet tall, to anchor the dipole wires.
Weather-Conditioned Bamboo Pole Masts
I needed two 10-foot-long, 1-inch diameter non-metallic masts to anchor my antenna’s dipole wires on either side. I found two dry bamboo poles that fit the bill and sandpapered them thoroughly. Considering Delhi-NCR’s harsh weather, I decided to condition the bamboo poles by applying a generous coat of Touch Wood—a weather-resistant liquid that also gives a nice glossy finish. At the tip of each bamboo, I inserted a 2-inch long solid wood piece, sealed it with Fevicol glue, and wrapped it with a black band for durability and aesthetics. I drilled a small hole at the tip and securely screwed in a hook.
I designed a signage for my antenna mast and had it printed on a 6 mm synthetic board. The pen in the image gives a sense of scale. The colors differ due to lighting conditions, but the true color is the one parallel to the pen. The red message at the bottom is to discourage residents from using it as a clothesline and to curb general curiosity.
Building a Gasket for VHF Antenna Wire
Building a Gasket for VHF Antenna Wire
I got a good quality RG213 coaxial cable for my VHF high-gain Diamond-type antenna. I noticed a wide gap around the RG213 coax where it connects to the antenna’s SO239, and I wanted to seal it to prevent water and vapour from affecting the antenna’s efficiency. Missing a gasket, I made one from an automobile thick rubber bushing. With patience, I cut it to fit, created a groove for the aluminum pipe edge, and a tiny slit for the wire. The finishing touch was done with a good quality non-paper abrasion sheet.
Combining the prime support for my HF Dipole and VHF antennas on a single mast and securely hoisting it on our common terrace needed meticulous planning. After fixing the VHF antenna and signage, I drilled three high-grade wall clamps to the parapet to hold the mast. To withstand nature’s fury, I anchored two long GI wires from either side to the ground with hooks. All screws are stainless steel to resist weather erosion. I then connected the Centre-Fed Dipole’s wires (red and blue) to the bullet sockets and raised them with a bamboo pole, hanging them just below the VHF antenna. The weather-conditioned bamboo poles were erected, and the dipole wires were tied to their hooks with nylon ropes. Both the HF and VHF antenna coax cables were neatly brought inside my room.
Building My DIY Radio Shack
Fixing my antennas and bringing the coax cables into my room inspired me to create a small space for my radio gear, laptops, etc. I found a piece of plywood that looked like termites had been at war with it—DIY challenge accepted! After some serious cutting and joining, I cobbled together a wall table that’s now home to my transceivers. I wanted a versatile workstation where creativity thrives, not just a typical ham radio shack. It's my simple Radio Shack, an audio-video editing desk, and more. No carpenters or electricians—just me and my ideas. It’s a fusion of functionality and charm, with a hint of my personality. Sometimes it feels like indoor camping.
Creating a Swivel Lamp
The joy of building my radio shack was just getting more fun. Lighting is crucial for both aesthetics and functionality, so I built a unique swivel lamp using materials already available at home. I found a suitable liquid soap container, cut it to size as a lampshade, and attached a half-inch PVC pipe to the wall. The light housing is a circular chip-on-board LED light. For the lens cover, I used a piece from my old MacBook Air’s hard shell. Everything fit perfectly and looked sleek after spray painting. Patience paid off with a rewarding final outcome.
I found an old broken chair in our storeroom. Not only did I fix it, but I also beautified it, making it comfortable with a cushion, nylon buffers on the legs, and aligning it to the correct height for my radio shack. I might get a revolving chair with air passages in the future, but this one works for now. To make things cozier, I decided to carpet my little haven.
The Smart Amateur ID Card
Frequenting our common terrace, moving around the neighborhood with my handies, and carrying my HF transceiver gear while traveling inter-state made me think about miniaturising my standard amateur radio license issued by the WPC wing, Ministry of Communications, government of India. Unlike the US and other western countries where licenses are issued in a smart card format, India still has a way to go. For my convenience, I miniaturised my amateur license onto a standard plastic card the size of a credit card. I added an adapter that fits inside a lanyard or pulley for wearing around the neck or hooking to a trouser hip or sports jacket. This has significantly helped during security checks at airports and railways and has gained traction within the ham fraternity.
To Conclude
I began with the basic task of installing my home-brewed Centre-Fed Dipole antenna. Once I started, I found myself diving into multiple creative projects: setting up my VHF antenna, weatherproofing bamboo poles, building a swivel lamp, creating a unique workstation-cum-radio shack, designing signage, and making a smart ham ID card. Getting engrossed in these tasks kept me pleasantly engaged and filled with positive vibes, always looking forward to a new day. Many would agree that these are the magic moments of a hobby that keep one’s spirit high.
Watch My Antenna Video
Follow/Subscribe TimesView Blogspot
Very good article, like to Follow
ReplyDeleteJust tap/click or hover the mouse on the blue & red 'TimesView' below the video in the bottom of the page to follow the blog. And, glad you liked reading this article
DeleteThanks!