Broad Band Terminated Dipoles (BBTD, T2FD)

Broad Band Terminated Dipoles (BBTD), Tilted Terminated Fold Dipoles (T2FD) and Balanced Termination Folded Dipole BTFD) antennas can be designed to cover a large range of frequencies between 1.8 30 MHz.  Longer length antennas generally provide better low frequency efficiency but take up a larger footprint of land.   One BBTD that has worked well at the AK6R antenna farm is shown below.  Many other designs are available and can be found at www.HFLINK.COM as well as other internet sites.  Your mileage may vary using this antenna, but as a general coverage antenna for ham and shortwave broadcast, the simplicity can’t be beat even though an individual dipole on a specific band may out perform this broad band dipole.  Palomar Engineers has all the parts you need to build this antenna, so why not give it a try?

BBTD at AK6R 1024x726 - Broad Band Terminated Dipoles (BBTD, T2FD)

 

Depending on the source of the antenna design, different value baluns are specified.  Our Bullet(TM) baluns in ratios of 9:1, 12:1 and 16:1 are excellent for this type of antenna as they are broadband from 1.8-61 MHz and will take up to 500 watts PEP.

3895935383 - Broad Band Terminated Dipoles (BBTD, T2FD)
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50:450 ohm (9:1) CUBE™ Balun, 1.8-31 MHz, 5 KW, ladder line, ZEPP, T2FD

CB-9-5000TS
$149.95
In stock
1
Product Details
MPN: CB-9-5000
Input ohms/Output ohms: 50 in / 450 output
Frequency Range < 2:1 SWR (MHz): 1-31
PEP Power Rating (watts): 5000

Model CB-9-5000 is a 9:1 multi-core, balanced output balun housed in a NEMA enclosure box (4″ x 4″ x 2″) with top studs (TS) used to translate a 50 ohm input up to 450 ohms at RF power levels up to 5000 watts PEP when used with a matched load. With matched 450 ohm load the SWR over the frequency range 1 to 31 MHz is less than 2:1 on the coax feed side.

All power rating are PEP, 100%, continuous digital modes are 30% duty factor rating of PEP, FT-8 digital mode rated at 1500 watts.

Application note: If using 450 ohm ladder line on the output of the balun top studs, make sure the impedance seen at the balun end of the ladder line is near 450 ohms since the ladder line acts as an impedance transformer, the impedance at the end of the ladder line may be different than the characteristic 450 ohms of the ladder line. For example a 1/4 wavelength of ladder line will transform a high impedance at the antenna feed point to a very low impedance at the other end connected to the balun thus placing a very low impedance load on a balun expecting 450 ohms and such a load may damage the balun. The impedance seen at the balun output should be near 450 ohms for full power rating.

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Likewise Termination Resistor values vary from 500-1250 ohms and we have a good selection shown HERE: