My Fan Dipole Experiment
For a number of years I used a G5RV dipole for my HF Antenna.   Typically, a radio's internal antenna tuner could not match the G5RV on 80/75 Meters and 10 Meters making it necessary to use and external tuner for those bands.
I wanted a different antenna, and to reduce the number of necessary devices on my Radio desk top.  In other words, reduce or eliminate the need for an external Tuner.

I have a multi-band vertical I can use for the bands of 20 through 10 Meters, so I wanted antenna I could use on 75 Meters and 40 Meters that could be used and matched by the radio's internal tuner.

Against the advice of a few people, I decided to build a Fan Dipole with horizontal elements for 75, 40 and 20 Meters.

Below are pictures of my antenna experiment.  Click on any picture for a larger image.

I set out four tomato stakes at the dimensions I wanted for 75 Metters, 40 Meters & 20 Meters.

With the stakes in place I could easily measure out 2 wires for each band.
I used spring clamps to hold the ends while I measured out other wires.

Side view of my Homebrew Center Insulator for the Fan Dipole.

Front view of my Homebrew Center Insulator.

Close up side view.

Close up Front view. Note the holes where the wire elements will be attached.

Assembling the Wire Elements to the Center Insulator.  Note the "Vice-Grips" used as Heat-Sinks on the wire to avoid the wire melting the plastic of the Center Insulator.

Once the 75 Meter Wires were attached to the Center Insulator, I set up 3 tripods with masts to suspend the antenna for adding the rest of the wires.

With wires for all 3 bands attached and the Fan Dipole stretched out to the Tripods, then I could add the "Spreader" insulators for maintaining the spacing of the wires.

Here's a look at the Center Insulator with the antenna raised up 20 or so feet.

Here's a look at the first "Spreaders" out from the Center Insulator.  The "Spreaders" started out life as 48 inch Tomato Stakes.  The Spreaders are spaced about 5 feet apart and continue down the length of the antenna as needed to support and spread the 40 & 20 Meter wires.

A Spreader holding the 40 & 20 Meter wires below the 75 Meter wire.

Not part of the Fan Dipole.... This is my VHF/UHF Menorah (hi hi) for 3 VHF/UHF Radios.

Last modified: December 28, 2021 - 21:32