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.
Simple Dipole Feed Line Choke for 1/4" coax (1.8-61 MHz)
The simplest, most cost effective feed line choke is a ferrite ring installed as shown in the picture (at the antenna feed point).
Improves antenna pattern by preventing your dipole from becoming a tripole
Prevents pesky coax braid radiation and RFI
for best results use multiple turns through center
Use one choke for each antenna feed line - take a 3 foot piece of G-8X (part# RG8X-3) and wrap 10-12 turns thru center for a good feed line choke.
Likewise Termination Resistor values vary from 500-1250 ohms and we have a good selection shown HERE: