Doublet vs Dipole vs End Fed Antennas - Which is Best for You?

It's a question newcomers to Ham Radio often ask. Here we try to help with the choice.

[oldgeezerproductions]

My favorite is, by far, the doublet (AKA, "double Zepp") in a inverted 'V' configuration, fed with twinlead and a manual antenna tuner. As you say, it is very "agile" antenna system and was very simple to erect. For low power work (<200 watts) I am using the low loss variety of TV (yes, television) 300 ohm twinlead. The 'V's' apex is up about 40 feet with each end at about 15-20 feet. The apex is supported by a 10 foot steel mast with a 10 foot plastic pipe on top of it for an for an overall height of 20 feet above my roof (up another 20 feet). My antenna's overall length is approximately 120 feet, although I never precisely measured it and the feed point is not exactly in the center. It is NOT a precision antenna system. I took what lengths of wire I had and what would fit on my roof and stuck it up there without taking the time to measure or trim anything. With this kind of antenna, bothering to measure anything is a waste of time because with twin lead and a tuner, a wet noodle will work just fine. When tuned up, my radios couldn't be happier, regardless of the frequency I'm transmitting on.

[cowboy]

You sold me on two things here; The doublet and ladder-line. Great video. Subscribed.

[marcelotoniolo]

Well, I cannot explain the science behind this experiment but have to give you my best regards for trying it. You are a scientist for sure, you are not afraid of trying different things even if the books tell you the opposite.
Well done once again for making another contribution to the Amateur Radio community.
(great spot you have there by the way).

[rjinnh]

I'm a committed fan of the EFHW because of its simplicity and flexable configurations, plus it simply works without any Fiddling.

Mr Waters presented it quite well in it's fundemental/simplest form while there are modifications/enhancements that increase its usability. A Cap here, a Coil there and a bit of added wire adjusts Resonances, increase Bandwidths, reduce Wire Lengths and/or add WARC Bands. Too much to go into here. Refer to Steve Ellington N4LQ on YT.

I use it as a 40M Band, Iverted Vee wire on a 12M SpiderBeem mast using a multi tapped transformer (32/49/64:1). Regardless of which tap, my 590SG autotuner provides near 1:1 SWR, when needed.
BTW: The transformer is easy to wind on any FT xxx-43 toroid. Not at all critical.

As usual, a great vid from a great
Cheers All/73 . .

[richardowens]

Thank you, for your excellent presentation! I just have a few observations to make:

1 - A big part of the enjoyment of amateur radio - for me - is learning about all sorts of antennas and constructing them myself. And, because of that, the only HF antennas I have ever purchased are my Steppir BigIR vertical with the 80m loading coil, and my screwdriver HF antenna for mobile use. Every other HF antenna I have has been constructed with my own two hands at a small fraction of the cost of purchasing something premade.

2 - Perhaps, the most important consideration in choosing between the antennas you discussed is the logistics involved in implementing them. If you have two sturdy, tall trees appropriately spaced, hanging a dipole between them may be the best choice. If you have zero natural supports and must depend on a manmade mast/tower/building for support, an inverted V may be the best choice. Likewise, if you have a nice tall tree at a distance from your home and no other supports available, an end fed half-wave antenna may be the best choice. The takeaway, here, is the circumstances of the individual amateur should be the primary guide in making the determination of the best antenna in any situation.

3 - A manual antenna tuner should be a part of every amateur radio operator's equipment. The versatility that they offer in regard to experimenting with various types of antennas cannot be overestimated.

4 - In my humble opinion, every amateur radio operator should be well versed in the various types of easily implemented antennas. This knowledge is, perhaps, the most valuable in terms of addressing the practical need for having amateur radio operators in the first place - to be able to communicate with the outside world in times of crisis or disaster.

5 - Finally, I think every amateur radio operator should have - or, have access to - the ARRL Handbook. It is, perhaps, the single best resource available for virtually every aspect of amateur radio.

Thanks, again, for your relaxing and accurate presentation of these popular types of antennas!

73's
AI4IJ

[michelsinnott]

Greetings from 3B8. Always enjoy your videos practical information, well balanced with theory. The series on antennas are especially interesting for us who have limited space areas.

[NSV]

This is the very best description I’ve heard. Thanks so much.

[d.jensen]

The elephant in the room is that feedlines often end up being accidental counterpoises, bringing RF energy back into the shack and raising hob with electronics. I presume a common-mode choke is needed with all these antennas.

[dericksherwood]

As always very interesting Peter iam sure many out there appreciate your experience and comments. Good presentation and good audio quality from your home recording setup.
I like you are into music, play and sing, lockdown means only radio at present so on ham bands bit more at monent.
Kind regards
73
Derick G1AEG

[kevinconnolly]

Another great video. You have helped me make my mind up on the EFHW

[TRTelos]

Thank you peter, really interesting. Just for info for anyone- I have NO space outside as only a back stone flagged area extending to about 4 mtrs from the house. I thought my radio days were finished on HF when I moved into this valley up in the hills in the rainy Pennines, untill I discovered the Unun end fed 20m long antenna which I run the end to a tree working with an auto atu. The ground has a lot of stone so the signal on 40m is reflected upwards at a high angle thus inter UK signals are fantastic, 20m as a full wave is directional a little, but it tunes up from 160m (just) through to 10mtrs, worked around the world about 5yrs ago on 20m 100 watts, a little different now with the solar cycle. A great antenna for very limited space if you have somewhere to attatch the end, its been up for 10yrs, the Unun is at the window frame INSIDE the house. One thing to mention is the stealth of the antenna, it looks the same as a telephone wire, and the acid test my wife never noticed it!

[edwymer]

Another great Video Peter...
Thank you for the Information...
73.

[kkdj]

Hello Peter... for years I've used an OCF Windom on my small suburban 60' X 100' lot. It had to be bent a few ways, and the element ends were quite low. About the same time you came out with this video, I was also encouraged by another ham to build a doublet. I built mine to "fit" my lot. The center is up 32', and each leg is 60'. Feed from the dipole center to the balun is 450 ohm ladder line. At the bottom of my 32' telescoping fiberglass pole, I installed a Palomar Engineers 9:1 balun. I ran RG8 from there into the shack. (I didn't understand why you used a 4:1 balun, so if you could please explain that to me?) The antenna not only fits my lot, it hears and seems to be heard better than the OCF Windom it replaced! It also tunes up on 80-10 quite well. So thank you for your video and the encouragement you provided me to do this. 73//KK0DJ

[glennstevenson]

Always educational and entertaining Peter. Thank you.

[daviddurflinger]

In fact I did have some coffee ☕ while watching this video, very informative 👍

[kcppb]

Thank you for the video. Very informative.

[Chris_KSKY]

I'm curious what your take is on the broadside doublet, 1.25 wavelength at highest frequency vs 1/2 wavelength at lowest frequency? I made a 160m doublet and loved it on every band except 20m. It seemed deaf broadside but radiated out very well. Looking back at Cebik's notes on doublets, I believe this is where the 4 lobe pattern came into effect. Also what about using a 1:1 balun on a doublet vs 4:1? Seems not all bands have complex impedances and it would be better to use a 1:1 and the the tuner do what tuners do.

[KenPaisley]

Feed a doublet with open wire and its king! I run the Palstar BT1500A on 160m.

[rockybass]

Love this PROUD BRIT! Supermarine Spitfire and a prop on the wall, is that bomber a Lancaster (I bet it is!). Bully sir!

[OldinMariner]

Thank you for all the great information. How about an off center fed antenna fed as a doublet?