KV5R's Portable Rabbit-Ears Dipole Antenna

Copyright © 2002 by Harold Melton, KV5R. All Rights Reserved.

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This handy and cheap portable dipole can be folded and backpacked, carried in use, and adjusted to a very wide range of frequencies.

Note: This is a low power antenna, meant to be used close the body at 5 watts or less. Also, rabbit-ears antennas are not designed to get wet.

Let's go from about minus-12dbi duck to plus-2.2dbi dipole antenna. This one was easily made from spare Sony TV rabbit-ears. First, remove the twin-lead and replace it with RG-174 or -58. Add the appropriate H-T radio connector. Use a permanent marker to mark the rabbit-ear elements at 19-inches extension. Mark the end of the element with red that is connected to the center of the coax, so you can put it "up." Use 1/2-inch CPVC to make an "L" shape to hold the antenna.

The basic design idea...

The antenna can easily be folded for storage or packing

You can stick it down the back of your shirt

Feedback regarding improvements and corrections to this page are welcome!

--73, de Harold Melton, KV5R