[Antennas] How to build center feed

[KG4FET@aol.com]

In a message dated 7/7/2003 9:20:13 PM Eastern Daylight Time, 
va3kis@hotmail.com writes:

> I want to build a center feed for a dipole antenna. It should be able to 
> connect a 50 ohm coax cable to it. How close should the wires on the center 
> feed be? Or is it better to buy one?
> 
> Hart
> 

Hart,
A center fed dipole can be fed with 50 coax and will show a good SWR 
depending on a couple of factors, one such is height above ground.  SWR's will vary as 
to the height above ground, with this said raise the dipole to its final or 
close to final height above ground to trim it for its best SWR.  Center spacing 
is not critical but touching is NOT good.   I will say from my point of view 
and maybe a few others in the group, it is never better to buy rather then 
build, wire is cheap 21.95 for 500 ft # 14 at home depot or found for free in a 
construction dumpster in a tear out of  unit at the local stripmall or at the 
construction site of the next planned CCR development in your area, insulators 
at 100-500 watts can be made from scrap PVC or Plexiglas again both free or 
cheap from same places.  Compare FREE to 50.00 on average for a single band 
dipole purchased at your local or not so local Ham store, I see G5RV antennas 
selling for BIG money and I built mine for 9.00 and that was for the 50 ft of twin 
lead I bought at Radio Shack. I only used 34 ft of that and built 2 mtr twin 
lead J's out of the rest for guys around here.
Good Luck, God Bless and 73
DE KG4FET Sandor


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