BUDDIPOLE IN THE FIELD

analyzer is shown in Figure 1. In this case, the 10 meter dipole antenna
was deployed at 25 feet. The antenna provides a good match all across
the 10 meter band with an SWR far below 2:1.
Figure 1 Measured SWR graph of 10m dipole
All Buddipole antenna deployments follow these same steps, or close
variants. Reviewing:
1. The type of antenna to be constructed is chosen. This could be
a dipole, vertical, or other configuration.
2. Components are selected from the Buddipole kit, and perhaps
supplementary materials.
3. The elements are constructed off the VersaTee with arms (if
any) first, coil if needed, and then whips—or, sometimes more
conveniently for verticals, VersaTee, coil, arms, and whip.
4. Coils are tapped at the appropriate place.
5. Whips are extended to their desired length.
6. The feed line is attached, and the antenna is raised to its desired
height.
Once the antenna is in place it can be used directly, or measured with an
antenna analyzer or SWR meter. If the SWR is higher than expected, the
whips can be adjusted (made longer or shorter) to adjust the center
frequency of the antenna. In some cases, especially if the antenna is
deployed with objects near by, a different coil tap for one or both coils
may need to be selected. The recipes in Table 1 specify typical taps and
lengths for each band. If your deployment is not “typical”, then it is
possible other taps and whip lengths will be required to make the
antenna usable.
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