40/20/10 Meter Fan Dipole Attic Antenna

[KD2GOE]

This is my attic 40/20/10 meter fan dipole that I installed in my attic today. In my opinion, it's a work of art! All I did was make spacers out of 1/2" PVC tubing the wire is spaced 6" off center. Then I combined my 40,20, & 10 meter antenna with a w2au balun that was part of my 10 meter antenna.
So far I am tuning around the bands and it is GREAT! Using my repaired MFJ-266 analyzer I am getting great SWR readings on 40,20,&10. I am able to tune 17, & 15 meters with my internal antenna tuner 12 meters is not happening but I can get that with my A99. I am going to get an IMax 2k in the spring to cover 10 and 12... for local talk

 

[KD2GOE]

SWR for this antenna is
7.00Mhz @ 1.9:1 / 7.150 @ 1.4:1 / 7.3 @ 2.5:1 but reads 1.5 with my Rat shack and TS-2000 SWR meter
14.0mhz @ 2.2:1 / 14.175 @ 1.2:1 / 14.350 @ 2.0:1

28.0Mhz @ 2.2:1 28.530 @ 1.2:1 / 28.800 @2.0:1

 

[wavrider]

Looks good.

 

[Moleculo]

Man, that is a cool install in the attic. I hope you don't mind, but I'm going to edit your post / thread just a bit so we can feature it on the front page of the site.

 

[KD2GOE]

Man, that is a cool install in the attic. I hope you don't mind, but I'm going to edit your post / thread just a bit so we can feature it on the front page of the site.

WoW thanks!

 

[iiiquaziii]

Looks sweet, I may have to do something similar..... good idea.

 

[KD2GOE]

Looks sweet, I may have to do something similar..... good idea.

yeah just need a Balun and 100' of 16awg or 14 awg wire the 12 awg wire you have up will support it all fine.

this is the one I have
http://www.unadilla.com/pricelist/w2au

 

[6meter]

That looks good. Even if you have other antennas outside I think it is good to have a dipole in the attic. That way if a branch comes down with ice or wind and takes out your outside antenna you aren't out of action.

I tried a 5 band fan dipole and had some wacky interaction. I need to remove several elements and re-tune it.

 

[KD2GOE]

That looks good. Even if you have other antennas outside I think it is good to have a dipole in the attic. That way if a branch comes down with ice or wind and takes out your outside antenna you aren't out of action.

I tried a 5 band fan dipole and had some wacky interaction. I need to remove several elements and re-tune it.

Yeah 5 bands seems like a lot I got lucky with the three that I put together I didn't really have to move them all that much from their original tune.

My next project will be a shortend 80 and 160meter antenna.
Then start talking

I was calling CQ last night bit no dice

 

[w9cll]

15 meters should load up on the 40 meter element with out the tuner.

 

[222DBFL]

Man I wish I had that much room in my attic, great job there sir!!

 

[KD2GOE]

15 meters should load up on the 40 meter element with out the tuner.

on 15 meters i am getting
21.000 6.8:1
21.200 5.7:1
21.450 4.4:1

lowest SWR is 22.148 at 2.3:1

 

[w9cll]

Interesting, 15 loads up on my 40 meter dipole without a tuner just fine. Do you use the tuner on 40?

 

[DainBramage]

Interesting, 15 loads up on my 40 meter dipole without a tuner just fine. Do you use the tuner on 40?

SWR for this antenna is
7.00Mhz @ 1.9:1 / 7.150 @ 1.4:1 / 7.3 @ 2.5:1 ...

15 meters should load up on the 40 meter element with out the tuner.

Interesting, 15 loads up on my 40 meter dipole without a tuner just fine. Do you use the tuner on 40?

it kinda depends on where he is resonant on 40 meters and the band width of the antenna.

 

[Captain Kilowatt]

it kinda depends on where he is resonant on 40 meters and the band width of the antenna.

In theory 15m will load nicely into a 40m dipole but as you said it depends on a few things. If all one looks at is SWR then you may be no where resonant on 40m where you need to be in order for the antenna to work on 15m. If you tune the antenna for true resonance and not simply lowest SWR then you stand a better chance of it working on both bands. Most people confuse low SWR with resonance but they are not the same thing.My experience has been that it is better to use separate antennas however.