A simple antenna, easy-to-make, with reportedly reasonable to very good results
... a vertical dipole. Zero Five, Force12, Titanex and a dozen others all have
one or more antennas according to this principle. Sometimes even in a linear loaded form.
http://dj0ip.de/s/cc_images/cache_2411601030.jpg?t=1327514127Titanex claimt: This antenna has very good characteristics, a low radiation angle, exceeds a usual vertical in gain and doesn't need radials.
It can be used on ground proximity, on towers or roofs. If you set up the vertical dipole close to ground, the ground will act like a reflector.
The flat radiation of the VD8010(E) is very characteristic especially on 40 through 10m and makes it to an antenna which is favorably useful for DX traffic.
Does anyone have experience with this type of antenna, the use and possible DIY?
all tips and tricks are welcome
73's ON5RKN
I didn't see where you listed your operating goals: the bands of interest and if you're primarily interested in DX'ing or just chatting with the locals. The link photo reminds me of a variation of shorty G5RV with some of the dimensions altered.
Vertical dipoles are, of course, vertically polarized and do well if ground condx are good, especially in the farfield. They are traditionally mounted with the bottom half of the radiator close to ground, and with the feedline coming off at right angles (as shown in the diagram) which often is a mechanical problem (how to support the horizontal feedline).
All multiband vertical dipoles, just like horizontally polarized dipoles are
compromise antennas. And depending on how you mount them (height in the case of horizontally polarized) will perform well or awful. Having the bottom half of the radiator so close to ground can be a safety problem for people and animals (as the end is very 'hot' or you can run into the wire by mistake).
IMHO, one of the few experts of the vertical dipole is Tom Schiller, N6BT who was the founder and Prez of Force12 Antenna before it was sold. He designed the Sigma Series of antennas along with a series of vertical dipoles using sloping 'radials'. Much of his original work was incorporated at Team Vertical which set many world records using non-yagi antennas at ocean side locations in major contests. See his site at
http://n6bt.com/for the story and their records behind Team Vertical.
In fact, Tom has a new vertical dipole out that uses an innovative method of sloping radials, and a feedpoint configuration where one can simple attach your 50 ohm coax and run the coax straight down the antenna base support to the ground and over to the shack. These antennas work. Ask Chuck, NI0C.
If you want to enhance a vertical dipole's performance, then one can employ traps (several pairs are fine). Today's high-performance traps are actually quite low loss (<0.5 db typically) and really work despite claims otherwise (mostly by antenna manufacturers who discredit them in order to promote their own sales). I've use trap dipoles and have DXCC on 3 bands with this arrangement.
In summary, the vertical dipole whether monobander or multibander can be very workable antenna, but one must be cognizant of antenna layout, ground condx, safety issues, mechanical issues, etc.
GL, 73, Rich, K3VAT
