The world of ham radio is filled with in-depth specs and technical jargon that could make an average person’s head explode. Folks just starting out in amateur radio may fall into a bottomless hole of information and end up going overboard and overbudget with gear that doesn’t mesh with their abilities or operating privileges—a common miscue that can end in frustration.
OnAllBands is committed to helping newer hams understand the basics that will get them off on the right foot, while reminding more experienced operators of ways to get the most out of the hobby.
Let’s begin with one of the most common types of ham radio antennas: the horizontal dipole.
German physicist Heinrich Hertz experimented with a horizontal dipole in the late 1800s to demonstrate the existence of radio waves. Right out of the gate, this antenna helped shape what we currently know about radio waves, so it’s like being a part of ham radio history every time you use one.
Here are some advantages of using a horizontal dipole for your personal ham setup.
Simplicity is Key
Part of what makes the horizontal dipole special is how simple it is. The antenna is made of two conductors of equal length on both sides with a feedline connected between them. This allows you to build or buy one at a low cost to make sure you’re staying within your budget.
You’ll find a variety of dipole antennas—along with components to build your own—at DX Engineering, including DX Engineering Single-Band Dipole Kits (below) and the Single-Band Low Power Dipole Kit.
Quality Reception
Which brings us to our next point: dipoles are efficient when they’re used at their resonant frequency.
As noted by OnAllBands blogger Mark Haverstock, K8MSH, they are mostly omnidirectional, which means they can send and receive signals from any direction. In addition, they can often be hidden in trees, attics, and along roof lines.
Though considered omnidirectional, horizontal dipoles can receive and transmit better off the side than off the ends of the element. They can be very efficient when their symmetrical nature is retained by properly connecting the center feedpoint with a balun and coaxial cable or with a balanced feedline. The dipole antenna’s efficient design means it needs less power to transmit and less pre-amplification to receive.
A Feast of Configurations
Another reason why this antenna should be part of your kit is because of its variety of configuration options.
Dipole antennas can be put in an inverted V or drooping dipole, sloping dipole, and other configurations. It really depends on what your needs are when setting up your system.
This versatility also means they can be taken anywhere and mounted on almost anything. Hams most commonly use these for temporary or Field Day use, but they can also be part of a more permanent setup.
For tips on setting up a dipole, check out this OnAllBands article.
Things to Consider
While the horizontal dipole has its advantages, it’s not a true one-size-fits-all solution. There are things that need to be considered before you buy (or make) one, such as the antenna’s length, especially on lower frequencies. Because a dipole is typically a half-wave antenna, it may not make sense on smaller lots, writes Mark, K8MSH.
They can also take some time to install, and placement is crucial for the best reception. Often, the higher they’re placed the better: trees, poles, and towers are all good mounting possibilities.
Even with these considerations, the horizontal dipole antenna is still the most popular antenna in the world. Just make sure you plan ahead before diving in.
For a deeper look into the dipole antenna and how it stacks up to a vertical antenna, read Mark, K8MSH’s article, “Dipole vs. Vertical: Which Antenna is Better?”
