Half-Wave Dipole for 11 Meters (by 56FL114, Pete)

A simple and certainly working antenna solution

One of the easiest antennas to build is a traditional half-wave dipole. As the name suggests, the length of the antenna is about half of the wavelength of the frequency the antenna is cut for. Half-wave dipole consists of two elements which are both ¼-wavelength long.

The length of the two sides of the dipole can be calculated with the following formula: 300 ÷ frequency in MHz ÷ 4 × V (V=velocity factor of the material used for the two dipole elements.) The result of this calculation is the length of the ¼-wavelength element.

For example: length of one side of a half-wave dipole calculated for frequency 27.315 MHz (CB channel 31) when using ML-electrical cable is: 300 ÷ 27.315 ÷ 4 × 0.95 = 2.61 meters.

The length of the two sides of the dipole leaving from the center is 2.61 meters and the total length of the antenna is 5.22 meters.

So the length of the ¼-wavelength wires is 2.61 meters when calculated with this formula. I will however suggest leaving some extra length to both sides (e.g. 10 cm) so you can trim the SWR by cutting the antenna shorter (by cutting for example 1 cm at a time from both sides).

The center part of the dipole can be implemented in several ways. Many radio shops sell factory manufactured dipole center parts which have a SO-239 connector and connections for the wires with strain relief etc. But these are quite expensive. The center part or the feed point of the dipole is easy to make for example from 4-5 mm thick plexiglass.

When you have a suitable sized piece of plexiglass you will have to drill a hole in the center for the SO-239 connector and holes for the dipole wires to the sides. The dipole wires will be guided through the holes and after that bend backwards and locked in to place with wire rope clamp leaving just enough wire to the ends for connecting to the SO-239 connector (look at the pictures at the bottom of this page).

Other of the two wires of the dipole is soldered to the SO-239 connectors middle contact and the other is attached to the connector body. This can be done with Abiko ring terminal -connector which is placed under the mounting screw of the SO-239 connector.

It is also a good idea to use insulators at the ends of the dipole wires. These can be made by cutting pieces from the same plexiglass and drilling holes to both ends of the piece. The other hole for the dipole wire and the other hole for the rope you use to hang the dipole.

Notice also that when you measure the dipole wires you will need to take into account the extra length that is needed to attach the wire to the insulators.

Total length of one side of the dipole is measured from the point where it is connected to the insulator in the end (i.e. the farthest point of the loop which goes through the insulator) to the mounting point at the SO-239 connector. The extra wire needed for the bend does not affect the length of the dipole.

Below is a radiation pattern for a dipole that is hung from the ends horizontally.

A dipole can also be installed as inverted-V. When set up as inverted-V the center of the dipole is lifted up and the wires of the dipole are sloping downwards. In this case the radiation pattern of the dipole is a little bit rounder when compared to a dipole which is mounted horizontally. In an inverted-V configuration the angle between the sides of the dipole has to be at least 90°.

It can of course also be installed as a vertical or sloper.

Here is some example pictures of dipole construction from the one I built:

In the end I covered the backside of the SO-239 connector with glue from hot glue gun.

Will it last in Finland’s weather? That we will have to see…