Wtb - dipole

[Penfold]

I am having no luck when it comes to soldering 14 or 12 gauge wires to a BNC panel mount connector. Is it possible to "sub-contract" someone to do it? If there is an old Dipole that no one is using I would be more then happy to take it off your hands.

[zoommedic]

What frequency are you going to be using with this dipole?
What wattage soldering iron are you using?

[Penfold]

Originally my frequency at the point wouldn't have mattered because I would have had at least six feet of wire on both sides and I would have cut it to the desired length after I had the wires soldered onto the BNC panel mount.

I use a Circuit Specialist temperature adjustable 1A soldering iron. My soldering iron is set to 650 degrees currently. I have had problems soldering two pieces of wire together if they are greater then 18 gauge. I have tried using flux on the wire, without flux, creating a heat bridge with a bit of solder on the iron tip, applying the iron directly to the wire, but I have pretty much been unsucessful in my attempts.

Since I have heard of Dipoles being made with 12 gauge wire I tried to go a little smaller with 14 gauge and still no luck. Put me in front of a PCB and I can solder that thing till the cows come home, but put me in front of a 14 gauge wire and all hell breaks loose.

[Macrosill]

You may want to utilize a soldering gun. They are designed for soldering larger wires and such. The Soldering irons are not designed for large gauge conductors.

[dnesci]

I agree with Brian, a gun would be the way to go. But on another note, my Dipole is made with 18 gauge wire and it works great. With the distances we use (under 1000 feet), I not sure why you choose such heavy gauge wire.

[Penfold]

DOH! I had an 18 gauge Dipole ready to go but when I inquired about the gauges on the forum I was more or less informed that 12 gauge to 14 gauge would be better, so I dismantled the 18 gauge one. DARN IT! There was even that article written by intreped (I think that is how you spell it) that stated he used 12 gauge.

Back to the drawing board.

[rstehle]

You can cheat and use a pair of Rabbit Ears!. Open them up and point one leg up, and one leg down, and attach the coax in the center. That way you can adjust the length of the legs if you need to change frequencies for any reason.
Here is a pic of one I made using a couple of PVC fittings and a cheap set of TV rabbit ears. I first dissasembled the rabbit ears from their little holder. I attached a short wire to the end of each metal leg with a screw and nut. I drilled holes in 3/4" PVC caps, and put one leg of the rabbit ears thru each one (make it a tight fit). Drilled a hole in a 3/4" tee, and installed a BNC panel mount connector (but you could just run your coax out of the hole. I inserted the caps with the legs into a 3/4" tee and soldered the wires on to the BNC connector. Mounted another cap to the window moulding in my office and slipped the open end of the tee over it. Simple yet effective. I get about 1/4 mile range from my EDM transmitter @ 10mw.

[jeffathompson]

You can cheat and use a pair of Rabbit Ears!. Open them up and point one leg up, and one leg down, and attach the coax in the center. That way you can adjust the length of the legs if you need to change frequencies for any reason.
Here is a pic of one I made using a couple of PVC fittings and a cheap set of TV rabbit ears. I first dissasembled the rabbit ears from their little holder. I attached a short wire to the end of each metal leg with a screw and nut. I drilled holes in 3/4" PVC caps, and put one leg of the rabbit ears thru each one (make it a tight fit). Drilled a hole in a 3/4" tee, and installed a BNC panel mount connector (but you could just run your coax out of the hole. I inserted the caps with the legs into a 3/4" tee and soldered the wires on to the BNC connector. Mounted another cap to the window moulding in my office and slipped the open end of the tee over it. Simple yet effective. I get about 1/4 mile range from my EDM transmitter @ 10mw.

Darn, you beat me to it. That's what I did too. I can adjust it short and long for any frequency.
I have not yet put the PVC Center on, but I am, and that's how I will fasten it to the house. After it is, I can push or pull the "ears" to whatever length I need. I have tried this on my transmitter and can get two blocks.

[TERBObob]

LOL ... better hurry on getting them rabbit ears ... next year , everyone will be digital and there won't be any rabbit ears around after that ... LOL

[jeffathompson]

LOL ... better hurry on getting them rabbit ears ... next year , everyone will be digital and there won't be any rabbit ears around after that ... LOL

Menards still has BUNDLES of them.

[kmc123]

Darn, you beat me to it. That's what I did too. I can adjust it short and long for any frequency.
I have not yet put the PVC Center on, but I am, and that's how I will fasten it to the house. After it is, I can push or pull the "ears" to whatever length I need. I have tried this on my transmitter and can get two blocks.

Hey Jeff - Are your 2 dipole legs bolted together in the middle?

It looks as if they are - If that's the case, and they are not insulated from one another somehow, then you are getting a dead short across your coax (BAD)

The shield should go to the lower half and the center conductor should go to the top half, and they should not touch each other...

-Kev

[rstehle]

Hey Jeff - Are your 2 dipole legs bolted together in the middle?

It looks as if they are - If that's the case, and they are not insulated from one another somehow, then you are getting a dead short across your coax (BAD)

The shield should go to the lower half and the center conductor should go to the top half, and they should not touch each other...

-Kev

Good catch Kevin. You are right.

[jeffathompson]

Hey Jeff - Are your 2 dipole legs bolted together in the middle?

It looks as if they are - If that's the case, and they are not insulated from one another somehow, then you are getting a dead short across your coax (BAD)

The shield should go to the lower half and the center conductor should go to the top half, and they should not touch each other...

-Kev

Hmmm, I did not know that. They way I have it the shield is not connected to anything, The center is just bolted together, So What I should do Is make a very short plastic shunt, bolt the shield to the lower and the conductor to the upper? This thing already transmits three blocks.
If I lower the voltage, (now 12 volts) will that also lower the output or does it cause other problems and I should just put a antenuator (sp) in the line? You know, to stay legal.

[rstehle]

Hmmm, I did not know that. They way I have it the shield is not connected to anything, The center is just bolted together, So What I should do Is make a very short plastic shunt, bolt the shield to the lower and the conductor to the upper? This thing already transmits three blocks.
If I lower the voltage, (now 12 volts) will that also lower the output or does it cause other problems and I should just put a antenuator (sp) in the line? You know, to stay legal.

Yes, a plastic piece in the middle would work. I wouldn't change your supply voltage, but if you are concerned about too much coverage, an attenuator is the way to go.
IMHO, way too much is made of worrying about the FCC as it relates to our hobby......... just my 2 cents.

[Virtus]

IMHO, way too much is made of worrying about the FCC as it relates to our hobby......... just my 2 cents.

Colin Powell's son has never driven down my street I bet. ;)

[jeffathompson]

Colin Powell's son has never driven down my street I bet. ;)

I got a 1 watt and it carries pretty well, but I don't think I will worry about it. My neighbors love my lights.

A friend however suggested I find out what the most popular radio station for the cars comming down my street and set it to that. Then when they drive by they can't help but notice.
Fun idea but that might attract the wrong attention.

[ppohlman]

I agree. You'd probably start to get complaints if you "Take over" someone's radio without them tuning in on their own.

[ben]

I agree. You'd probably start to get complaints if you "Take over" someone's radio without them tuning in on their own.

Now THAT would be illegal. The Radio station (should) have licenses to boardcast on certian frequencies. You might have a lawsuit on your hands with that. I debated getting 2 .2W transmitters and broadcasting on 2 frequencies.

Ben