The Fence Fan Dipole (FFD) -- A Quick, Easy and Inexpensive Multiband Antenna

“Editor’s Note: Due to the popularity of some of eHam’s older articles, many of which you may not have read, the eHam.net team has decided to rerun some of the best articles that we have received since eHam’s inception. These articles will be reprinted to add to the quality of eHam’s content and in a show of appreciation to the authors of these articles.” This article was originally published on: 07/26/2012

Background

The multiband fan dipole has always been a popular antenna choice for getting on several bands with a single feedline and without the need for an antenna tuner. The height is limited only by the nearest tall tree and the cost of the antenna is minimal. The antenna is also rather stealthy – especially if 16-18 gauge wire can be used in sub 200 watt installations. The antenna basically consists of two to five or more distinct half wave dipoles which are mounted to a common parallel feedpoint so that a singe feedline can be utilized. Some nice designs are easy to find on the internet or in antenna handbooks. Most designs now suggest (based on Stanford Research Institute data) that the feedpoint be separated by as much as 5.5 inches between dipoles and that the lower frequency (longer) dipoles can be about 4% shorter than the 468/frequency in Mhz would dictate whereas the higher frequency (shorter) dipoles need to be about 4% longer. Many designs also recommend the controversial “ugly balun” choke in the design which is nothing more than 18-21 feet of coax close wound on a 4” or greater non-conductive form at the feedpoint…

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