Build this Vertical Portable HF Antenna

Why I built my own Vertical Dipole

My interest in radio operations away from the QTH began a search for a Portable HF Antenna. Inspired by the possibilities shown in the prior art of the asymmetrical hatted vertical dipole I decided to test the real thing. I thought long and hard about procuring a commercial offering. The price was reasonable, but, in the end, the cost of shipping put a delay on procurement timing.

What to do?

I decided to price out the aluminum for a home brew portable HF antenna. The cost savings was just enough to speed things along.

I have never once built a home-brew aluminum antenna. Readers of this blog will attest to my affection for antennas made from locally available copper. Now was as good a time as any to make this antenna the traditional way.

The major point about aluminum is the relative ease of nesting one inside the other to yield a long antenna from short components. As one of the goals of this Asymmetrical Hatted Vertical Dipole is portability, this had instant appeal.

I came up with a design and built a prototype. You can too!

Read more at: https://www.hamradio.me/antennas/asymmetrical-hatted-dipole-antenna-prototype.html