Harold's Dipole Antenna Project

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1/2" or smaller diameter aluminum tubing about 5 to 6 feet in length (uncut)	5 feet G.I. pipe, 1" diameter
2 pieces of nuts and bolts (with 2 washers), about 1/8" diameter	30 feet G.I. pipe, 1" diameter
2 pieces of U-bolt clamps	2" to 3 " of PVC pipe, 1" in diameter (for the balun)
12" of PVC pipe (3/4" diameter)	electrical tape
1 kilo of #16 G.I. wire	...and of course, RG-59 coaxial cable

As you know, this stuff is easy to build...but harder to elevate or stand up high on your roof. You can't handle this alone when standing this antenna still. Get some help from friends or neighbors. Maximum of 5 people should help you out. Watch your head too!

If you want a avery good antenna, don't rush this project or else you won't be able to get good results. And also, BE CAUTIOUS ! ! !

First, cut 2 aluminum tubings into 2 pieces. I'll call those aluminum tubings as rods, OK? Each rod must be cut into exactly the same measurements. Different frequencies have different antenna measurements.

If you don't do this or if you're just guessing in the measurements, then your transmitter will not resonate on your preferred frequency.

In order to make an exact measurement for each rod, refer to Sir Patricks' website. This is the link:

Sir Patrick's design works well for me, but I like to make it more professional and more stronger. So I decided to make my own idea, but the same method in antenna calculations are found in Sir Patricks' website.

Second, after you've made your antenna rods with exact measurements, screw it using 2 nuts and bolts with washers (these 2 screws will also serve to hold the terminals of the coax) and tape it tightly on the 12" PVC pipe.

Be sure each part is perfectly stable or not moving...as you can see in the picture to the right. The next thing to do is to mount it with 5 feet of G.I. pipe and clamp it.

OK, there you have it. After you've done this, proceed to the balun making and coax/antenna installation.

You have to take your 2" to 3 " of PVC pipe to make a balun. First, screw the coax terminals to their respective places. Remember, the inner terminal of the coax should be screwed on the upper rod, while the outer braid terminal of the coax should be screwed on the lower rod. Screw it tight enough too, and secure the screws and terminals using a silicone glue or hot glue for weather proofing. Check the continuity of the coax and the rods using a tester.

Then, to make a balun, leave at least 3" of coax after you've screwed the terminals. Or make the balun as close as possible to the rods. Then, wind 5 turns of the coax to the 2" to 3" of PVC pipe and secure it with tape. It should be round and tight enough, though this is the tricky part (a little). After those are made, tape the rest of the coax to the G.I. piping up to the last end. And route the coax nicely and smoothly into your home where you're transmitter is located.

By the way, before you raise your high antenna, you must first put lots of support using a G.I. wire to the mast in a North, South, East and West direction in order to keep it still and balanced. Carrying this type of antenna with the height of 30 feet (plus 15 feet from ground to roof top), using 2 inches in diameter G.I. pipe, is definately heavy and tiring.

In order to elevate this antenna, you must carry this on your roof very carefully. Be sure to protect the dipole or rods from bumping to any objects. When it's on the roof lying, bring the end (bottom) of the mast down to the ground, so it will be standing up from ground, way up high.

5 people should help you out on this. The 4 people should hold the 4 supporting wires while 2 people (including you) should carry the whole thing up on the roof very slowly and carefully. Those 4 guys should be strong enough to guide the 2 people holding the mast. It's like flying a kite, a heavy kite.

The 2 guys holding the mast, must carefully move it up to the desired location on the roof. The 4 guys should fight and control the weight especially when windy.

This could be very DANGEROUS if not handled properly! After moving it on the desired location for the mast, a piece of flat and wide wood should be used for the mast to be placed on. Support the mast by using heavy rocks or bricks around it for stability (to avoid slipping).

Then the 4 guys should now attach the 4 G.I. wires on the roof, or something to hold the wires permanently in 4 directions. You may still add another set of 4 G.I. wires for a very stable antenna... especially when a storm comes. More wire support is better.

Double or tripple check everything you've done before coming down from the roof. You can also point the vertical dipole in a clear view spot. And lastly, route the coax very nicely and smoothly into your home, where the transmitter is located.

And that's it my friends! Just always be very careful in mounting this very high antenna. We all know that...the higher, the better (antenna) right? But I tell you, it's not that simple.

And there you have it! This design of mine works just fine for me. I mean, really great! Oh, and don't forget to test/check its' output voltages, wattage and impedance using Sir Patricks' RF Probe/Watt Meter Project. It's found in his website too. And yes, you have to do some math here. Go and check it out!

So...if you have any questions regarding this stuff, kindly e-mail Sir Patrick first 'coz he's the one who gave us this amazing project and a good mentor to us. You may also e-mail me at anytime.