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?
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.
Inverted L antenna with radiator and counterpoise for simple installation - choose 80/160 meters and 1.5KW/5KW feed line choke included inside weatherproof enclosure. Separate counterpoise and ground connections
* Complete package - just add coax
* works single band with ease
* can be configured as vertical or inverted L configuration
* Choice of 1.5K, or 5KW PEP rated choke to suit power needs
After many requests we have created a compact, special interface box with internal feed line choke and separate connections for counterpoises (not grounded) and ground connection. The 1:1 choke keeps RF current off the outside of the coax braid and on the antenna where it belongs. The extra choking action also means that the coax feed line will not act as a radiator causing unnecessary RF interference (RFI).
80 M radiator/counterpoise is 70 Feet (you get 1 each) - adjust length to your favorite frequency
160 M radiator/counterpoise is 130 Feet (you get 1 each) - adjust length to your favorite frequency
Antenna is tuned to you favorite frequency by shortening the counterpoise (roll it up or cur length) while keeping the radiator length constant.
Choose 1,5KW PEP or 5KW PEP options.
1.5KW and 5KW are in 4" x 4" x 2" enclosure. 1.5KW is 3 pounds, 5KW is 5 pounds. 2 antenna insulators are included.
ADD CMNF-1500 (1.5KW) or CMNF-5000 (5KW) common mode noise filter at radio end of coax to reduce common mode noise up to 6 "S" units on long coax runs!
Likewise Termination Resistor values vary from 500-1250 ohms and we have a good selection shown HERE: