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End Fed Antennas End Fed Long Wires. Presented at Ham Com 2013. Stealth Applications. Portable Operations. Antenna Types. Antennas come in two basic types – Resonant and Non-Resonant
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Stealth Applications Portable Operations
Antenna Types • Antennas come in two basic types – Resonant and Non-Resonant • Resonant types are dipole, yagi, etc. They have a resonant frequency (usually on the band they are designed for) • Non-Resonant antennas are long wire, G5RV, etc. They are not resonant on any band and can work on multiple bands.
Antenna Types cont’d • There are many different variations of each of these types of antennas. • Each type of antenna has advantages, and disadvantages. • Resonant antennas have resistance only at resonant, all other frequencies will have an impedance and resistance. • If you model antennas it will give the SWR, Resistance, and Impedance at the different frequencies.
Antenna Types cont’d • We modeled an 80M dipole 122’ long at a height of 30’ (468/3.8Mhz = 122’). • We used EZNEC – this is a popular antenna modeling program that amateur radio operators use. • Resonance is defined as Capacitive Reactance = Inductive Reactance (leaving resistance)
80M Dipole – Resonant Freq. 3.875 MHz Resonant Freq. ~ 3.875 MHz – R = 28.26, Impedance 2.24, SWR = 1.77
80M Dipole – Off Resonant Freq. Low 3.80 MHz Resonant Freq. ~ 3.800 MHz – R = 41.74, Impedance 32.82, SWR = 3
80M Dipole – Off Resonant Freq. High 3.95 MHz Resonant Freq. ~ 3.950 MHz – R = 41.74, Impedance 32.82, SWR = 2.77
Antenna Types cont’d • Several things to notice. The resonant frequency is at the dip. Here it is at ~ 3.875 MHz. • The SWR is 1.77 with a resistance of 28.35 ohms and a reactance of 2.23 ohms so it is very close to the resonant frequency. • Why isn’t it 50 ohms? It is too close to the ground – which changes the values. • The characteristic impedance of a dipole is 72 ohms.
Antenna Types cont’d • Most antennas will contain an impedance that is not at 50 ohms. • All antennas will have an reactive component (when it is not at resonant frequency). • We usually use an antenna tuner to match the transceiver to the antenna.
End Fed Antenna • Most antenna are fed in the middle. • Some antennas are fed off-center. • The End Fed antenna is fed at the End. • There basically two types End Fed antennas: Resonant and Non-Resonant. • On a Dipole the impedance is low in the middle and high at the ends. • End Fed antenna has a similar type of impedance.
End Fed Antenna cont’d • The impedance at the end will be high, so you have to have a matching network to bring the impedance down to a low impedance for the coax. • Half Wave antenna usually have a difference impedance when they are close to the resonant frequency. • Half Wave and Long Wire End Fed antennas usually use different matching networks.
End Fed Long Wire Antennas • The matching network is usually made with a toroid core. • Common cores that have been used are T106-2, T130-2, FT-140-43. You can probably use just about any toroid that can operate on the frequencies you need. • T-106-2 is an Iron Power toroid – 1.06” diameter - # 2 mix
End Fed Long Wire Antennas cont’d • FT-140-43 is a ferrite toroid – 1.4” diameter and type 43 mix • T106-2 $1 – $1.50; T130-2 $1.60 - $2.00; and a FT140-43 $2.50 – $3.50. • Probably any toroid with a TXXX-2 or a FTXXX-43 would probably work. • The Mix is just a designation, this is used to determine the frequency range etc.
Winding the toroid • The toroid is wound using 9 turns of trifilar winding. • Trifilar means 3, so there are 3 wires wound 9 turns on the toroid. • This is a UN-UN type device (UNbalanced to Unbalanced). • Turns ratio is 3:1, impedance is Turns Ratio Squared 32= 9.
Connecting the toroid • Pay attention to the Letters in the above picture. You will have to connect them properly to make the matching network operate properly. • Connect the left side Black (b) to the right side Orange (A). Remove the insulation and solder close to the core. • Twist the Green wire left side (c) with the Black right side (B) – this will solder to the center of the SO-239.
Connecting the toroid cont’d • On the Green wire right side (C) attach a small lug. This will connect to the outside of the SO-239. • Solder a large lug to the Orange wire left side (a). This will connect to the Antenna terminal.
Finishing Matching Network • The Matching Network should be installed in a weather proof housing of some sort. • We have used PVC pipe fitting - 1 ½” Cap and 1 ½” slip plug. • We have also used ¾” or 1” plastic LR electrical fittings. This allows more room and you can repair it, if needed.
Selecting Long Wire • You will need to attach a antenna wire. • Select a size suitable for the bands you are going to be operating and your specific surroundings – as a general rule the longer the better. • Avoid a length that is ¼ wavelength or multiple ¼ wavelength. • Common lengths are shown on the next slide.
For portable operations the 17’ or the 30’ are the most practical. I use a 33’ fiberglass pole and a quad-pod. I can erect the antenna in about 5 minutes.
Operating the End Fed Antenna • This antenna does not require ground radials. • It uses the coax as the ground. You should use 30’+ of coax for the antenna to work correctly. • It may produce some RF back into the shack, if it does – install a line isolator before the coax enters the shack.
Home made Quad Pod with 33’ fiberglass Pole (MFJ 1910) Testing Matching network with a 33’ wire Test SWR with 70’ RG-213 and MFJ – 259B
Test SWR on 30’ wire with 70’ RG-213 using MFJ – 259B (matching network using a T106-2 core)
W5WF using MFJ-1910 33’ Pole W5WF permanent installation 33’ Pole
Related Information Videos on End Fed Antennas http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWkpQ785Pjo&feature=related Video on using End Fed Antenna with MFJ 1910 33’ fiberglass pole http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrgU5IMXlQY&feature=related Video comparing a PAR end fed dipole antenna to other antennas These antennas work great using a fiberglass pole. You can use an MFJ 1910 or get one off eBay. (Do a search on eBay for fiberglass poles or look for fiberglass pole by Jackite.)
Material List 1 1 ½” PVC Cap (different enclosure) 1 1 ½” Slip Plug (different enclosure) 1 powdered iron toroid T106-2, T130-2 (FT140-43) 3 24” pieces of 22/20 gauge solid insulated copper wire in orange, green, and black 4 6-32 x 3/8” machine screws 4 #6 nut (for SO-239 connector) 1 SO-239 panel mount connector (4 hole) 1 10-24 x ¾” machine screw and nut
Material List cont’d 2 #10 flat washers 1 #10 lock washer 1 #10-24 wing nut 2 #10 wire lugs 1 #6 wire lug 30’ #14 AWG (16, or 18 gauge will also work) insulated stranded wire antenna
Modification • We have added a Ground terminal to the existing design. • This will cut out using the coax as the ground. • Not sure at this time if this improves antenna operation or not.
End Fed Half Wave • Resonant on a particular band • No Antenna Tuner is required • Usually covers the whole band with less than 2:1 SWR (except 10M) • Good for 100 watts SSB/CW – only good for about 50 watts on RTTY/PSK31 • Easy to put up
End Fed Half Wave cont’d • The matching network is a toroid and a capacitor (like a miniature antenna tuner) • The capacitor is made from coax (RG-174) • Similar to a PAR EndFedz half wave antenna
Web Site • You can get the presentation and the hand out at: www.WB5CXC.com/HamCom13