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RAMSEY DA SERIES  DIPOLE ANTENNA

 

Page  15

  

 
 
TUNING YOUR ANTENNA

 

 
   Hook up your radio to an SWR meter and the antenna.  Set it for a portion 
of the band that you think you will be using most often.  Since all of our 
antenna length calculations are for the center of the band, the antenna 
should be slightly longer if you wish to work below this frequency, and 
slightly shorter if you work above it.  Reduce your power down to it’s lowest 
setting and transmit on a clear frequency.  Your SWR meter should now be 
measuring the SWR of your antenna.  You will notice that if you tune up or 
down, this will change.  Try this, and note whether or not the SWR gets 
higher or lower as you go up in frequency.  If it gets higher as you go up, the 
antenna needs to be shortened.

 

 
   Back outside again (or get a buddy to stand out there), cut about one inch 
off of each end of the antenna wire.  Rekey your transmitter and repeat the 
same test over.  If the antenna still needs to be shortened, cut off a bit more.  
Over and over, perform this test until the frequency that you wish to tune the 
antenna at has a lower SWR than the frequencies above or below it.  Now 
that your antenna has been successfully tuned, you are ready to try making 
a few contacts.

 

 

Summary of Contents for DA-160

Page 1: ...e and excellent performance Build a home brew antenna right down to the last soldering connection These dipoles are virtually invisible but do not compromise performance or signal capabilities Perfect...

Page 2: ...TEUR RADIO KITS FX Series VHF and UHF Transceivers HR Series HF All Mode Receivers QRP Series HF CW Transmitters CW 7 CW Keyer PA Series VHF and UHF Power Amplifiers Packet Computer Interfaces QRP Pow...

Page 3: ...Description 4 How Does a Dipole Antenna Work 6 Schematic Diagram 7 Parts List 8 What Kind Of An Antenna Is Best For You 9 Construction Notes 10 Antenna Construction 13 Tuning Your Antenna 15 Other Re...

Page 4: ...ouses or even fall off of your roof heaven forbid This is where the invisible properties of a dipole are so important In a short day s work you can install your antenna that to even the nosiest neighb...

Page 5: ...and push a pen or pencil through the center Hold it up in front of you Let s pretend that the pencil represents our antenna and the paper represents where our signal is concentrated As you can see mos...

Page 6: ...Inverted V antenna A normal dipole is just what we have been talking about An Inverted V is a variation of a normal dipole that features slanting wires for easier mounting on small properties or where...

Page 7: ...RAMSEY DA SERIES DIPOLE ANTENNA Page 7...

Page 8: ...sier especially if they know a thing or two about stringing antennas or own a bow or arrow ANTENNA CONSTRUCTION Now it s time to begin construction First make sure that you have all of your antenna pa...

Page 9: ...equency_________ Calculated Length___________ ANTENNA BAND FREQUENCY KHz NORMAL DIPOLE INVERTED V ALL BAND 1850 129 3 122 9 160m 1850 129 3 122 9 80m 3750 63 9 60 6 40m 7050 33 11 31 6 20m 14250 16 9...

Page 10: ...otal dipole length be 33 31 feet or approximately 33 4 Don t forget that you need to insert a feedline in the center so it must be cut into two pieces that are one half the length 16 feet eight inches...

Page 11: ...ping the aluminum drain piping off of the side of your house or pulling your favorite night table out of your bedroom window by one of the legs not only earns you bad points with the spouse but it can...

Page 12: ...will be connected to your radio Unscrew the large outer shell from the PL 259 connector and place it onto the coaxial cable with the threaded end inside facing the end of the wire that you are working...

Page 13: ...n and trim off any extra Be sure that the solder flows easily into the hole and does not bead on the outside This indicates a cold solder joint more heat needed and also will not allow the connector t...

Page 14: ...place where you can secure it you may also suspend it using the strength of the ends to hold it in the air If you need to secure the antenna tie a length of rope to the object that you are securing i...

Page 15: ...ng the SWR of your antenna You will notice that if you tune up or down this will change Try this and note whether or not the SWR gets higher or lower as you go up in frequency If it gets higher as you...

Page 16: ...List 8 What Kind Of An Antenna Is Best For You 9 Construction Notes 10 Antenna Construction 13 Tuning Your Antenna 15 Other Reading 15 Manual only price 5 00 Ramsey Publication No MDA Assembly and In...

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