Dorm room antenna
It's a challenge to deploy an HF antenna on campus. Build and tune this simple 20-m dipole!
Updated 2-12-20
---geometry of installation---
---bill of material---
1:1 voltage balun $15
https://qrpguys.com/qrpguys-11-41-voltage-baluns
Transmission Line 10-feet 50-ohm RG-58u coax $10
Antenna wire. Silicon insulation should be nicely flexible. 50-ft should suffice $12
Clips to Hold Wire Antenna wire is held aloft, high on the inside walls, by "Command Clips" $9
Total cost around $50, depends on shipping and tax charged.
---installation process---
The circumference of this sample room is 14' 6" + 10 + = 14' 6" + 10 = 49 feet. The antenna will be held at the junction of the walls and ceiling using "Command Clips" types of fasteners.
Suggest starting with 20 ft of antenna wire on each side of the voltage balun. Using the K7UAZ RigExpert antenna analyzer, measure the resonant frequency... it should be significantly lower than the 20-meter band. Perform a series of
MEASURE resonant freq, low freq at 3:1 SWR, high freq at 3:1 SWR
RECORD RESULTS
CALCULATE how much wire to cut next
CUT WIRE
In this manner you can build an antenna that performs to YOUR needs and wants.