Ultra portable Dipole project introduction

3 years ago
36

This is the introduction to the segmented dipole I'm making. The goals seem contradictory but I'm looking for the following:
1-light weight
2-high quality
3-low loss (feed line)
4-low cost

I think I'm going to get there with this setup. Approximate costs are:
-$6 into the S-biner (#0 size, want to try #1 size QTY 5)
-$7 into the connectors (GB Xtreme ring connectors.)
-$3 into the screws and nuts for one segment
-$.50 into the 3D printed paracord spool (probably really less) https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3742152
-$7 into the wire which is 18ga speaker wire
-$5.50+shipping into a pair of FT140-43 from kitsandparts.com as a balun

I will likely need:
-Another $6 of hardware (nuts/bolts)
-Another $5 of 3D printer ABS for cable holders, the ladder dividers and the center of the antenna
-Another $7 of wire
-A short length of RG-174 to run on the balun (planning to try 10T initially)

Overall that'd put me at about $50 for feed line, antenna, some cord and the balun. EXTREMELY good in my opinion especially for what you're getting. I may try something else for the end termination to drive the cost down further such as a 3D print. We'll see on that front however.

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