One of the most popular antennas today is the end fed long wire antenna due to it ease of installation, portability and stealth in various installations. It can be a condo dweller’s only access to the world of ham radio or the best alternative for a backpacking SOTA (Summits on the Air) mountaintop expedition.
The antenna is simple to deploy, folds up easily for transport, and weighs under a pound, yet, with the proper length of wire, can work the 80-10 meter bands easily with the built in antenna tuner of most current day transceivers. You will need several components for a successful deployment of the end fed antenna and these are shown in the diagram below:
The antenna impedance matching components (BOX “Z” above) to match the antenna impedance to the coax line impedance (usually 50 ohms). For non-resonant end fed antennas, the typical feed point impedance is 300 to 600 ohms and a 9:1 impedance transformer (e.g. 450 ohm average antenna impedance to 50 ohm coax, also know as a 9:1 unun). For do-it-yourself antenna builders, 9:1 impedance transformer information is HERE
With end fed antennas, the coax is meant to radiate as part of the antenna system (serving as the “ground” or counterpoise) and therefore you need to use a Feed line Choke (BOX “FC” above) to suppress the common mode current on the outside of the coax feed line so it does not enter the radio and cause garbled communication.. The Feed line (FC) acts as a stop sign for RF current flowing back on the outside of the coax. The higher the choking resistance of the feed line choke, the less the coax braid RFI common mode current, and the less noise enters the radio. Feed Line choke alternatives are HERE.
The radio station is also a key component of the antenna system and has two functions: transmit and receive. Matching the transmitter to the coax feed line is often done with an antenna tuner and receiver systems should be installed to maximize signal to noise ratio. Reducing receiver noise is critical for weak signal reception and the use of coax noise filters AND receiver power supply lines (AC or DC) noise filters is usually needed for optimum reception. Reducing RFI generated by the radio station (you are the SOURCE of RFI) or received by your radio station (you are the VICTIM of RFI) is an important aspect of radio station operations. Palomar Engineers has many solutions for RFI problems – Click HERE to develop alternative strategies depending on your particular situation.
Want to compare End Fed Antennas? See: End Fed Antenna Secrets (PDF)
The “Bullet” End Fed Long Wire Antenna
The key to end fed antenna success is the matching network interface between the long wire antenna and the coax feed line and feed line choke at the transceiver. Palomar Engineers employs a dual core matching system that offers wide bandwidth (1-61 MHz), 500 watt PEP rating, and a connection for a counterpoise or ground if desired.
The antenna can be used as a sloper, “L” with a vertical section and a longer horizontal section, or as a random horizontal antenna between two trees or supports.
Our network matching network is called the “Bullet” because of it shape and its effectiveness at taking down or contacting distant (DX) stations all over the world under the right conditions. The Bullet uses all stainless steel connectors and a dual core ferrite 9:1 unun for higher power rating then many competitive products.
We sell the Bullet components separately so you can add you own wire type and length or you can purchase a complete antenna system including wire and end insulator.
Excellent features:
*** Covers 40-20-17-12-10 meter ham bands under 2:1 at most heights no tuner required, 80, 15, 6 meter bands require wide range tuner
*** Great digital/FT8 antenna on many bands without tuner
*** Low SWR on many bands or use antenna tuner
*** 500 watts/1.5KW/5KW PEP (SSB-ICAS) options
*** Stainless Steel hardware for long life
*** Halyard Hoist hole for ease of center support installation or hang at ends only
*** Insulated #14 wire for durability
*** High Strength insulators (may be black, white or gray)
*** Ladder Line to 1:1 Balun (Note 1500/5000 Watts CUBE Balun can be mounted to a wall, 500 watts MB-1-500 is supported by ladder line
Super convenient and quick – great for contest operation! Choose 500, 1500 or 5000 watt PEP (use 5KW model for digital modes over 1000 watts).
INSTALLATION
For best results support center at 30+ feet and ends over 15 feet. Angle of feed each side must be great than 45 degrees or 120 – 180 degrees total between each side preferred. Any length of 50 ohm feed line ok (from the matching unit) but longer feed lines over 50 feet may show reduced SWR on some bands due to losses in feed line and soil conductivity, nearby objects, etc. Due to local ground conditions, antenna height and feed line length, SWR may vary from samples shown and an antenna tuner may be required or some bands to bring SWR at end of feed line to acceptable levels.
Antenna Length Note:These antennas are shipped from the factory with each side at 46 feet long (92 feet total) so that you may adjust(shorten) the length for your personal installation.The SWR graph shown for this product is for a side length of 44 feet as this length provides a lower SWR in the 17 meter band than the 46 foot length. The longer 46 foot length tends to shift the SWR curves to the left (lower frequency) which can sometimes be offset by reducing the length of the ladder line (up to 2 feet max). Each antenna installation is unique – try the antenna lengths as received and shorten the wire length by bending back the wires on themselves at the ends as needed.
Use an antenna tuner for 80, 30, 15 meters and reduce power if balun saturation occurs.
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Insulators may be black, grey or white depending on stock at hand when order is placed. Wire is stranded, AWG#14, insulated and black or grey color.
Typical installations are shown below:
Bullet End Fed Antenna Notes (PDF)
CAUTION
USE CAUTION WHEN INSTALLING ANTENNA AND KEEP AWAY FROM ANY POWER LINE WIRES!