Doublet vs Dipole vs End Fed Antennas - Which is Best for You?

I came by your video's quite by accident and oh my, I am enjoying them immensely. Thank you for doing them, and please keep them coming. From a new loyal fan.

Another enjoyable video. Built a doublet this week while on holiday in our caravan. Used it with my IC-705 and MFJ 941E tuner. Worked very well and indeed when I turned the 705's power down to null (it emits approx. 130 mW at that setting), I still made some CW contacts! That's extreme QRP. Your previous video on using the Reverse Beacon Network was most enlightening for me. The RBN provides a "reality check" on how well one's antenna system is working at all levels of power. Cheers.

Well, I cannot explain the science behind this experiment but have to give you my best regards for trying it. You are a scientist for sure, you are not afraid of trying different things even if the books tell you the opposite. Well done once again for making another contribution to the Amateur Radio community. (great spot you have there by the way).

Great side-by-side rundown. Many thanks from a relatively new ham in the U.S. 73

This is the very best description I’ve heard. Thanks so much.

Love the prints on the wall behind you!!!

You sold me on two things here; The doublet and ladder-line. Great video. Subscribed.

I have tried different wire antennas,. I have found that the endfed 40 meter half wave works far better for me in the small plot I have, and yes I have had to bend it a little and I am getting good results. I also fitted a coil for 80 meters to the wire, the SWR was high on the SSB voice so I had to bend back about 12 inches, brought the SWR to 1 to 1, I have no problem with SWR on 80, 40, 20, 15, 10. I did run the coax (213) down the garden where I fitted the 49 to 1 transformer. I did at first have it fixed to the House but all I got was a lot of noise and a very high SWR. Thank you Peter for the information it was a great help.

Greetings from 3B8. Always enjoy your videos practical information, well balanced with theory. The series on antennas are especially interesting for us who have limited space areas.

My favorite is, by far, the doublet (AKA, "double Zepp") in a inverted 'V' configuration, fed with twinlead and a manual antenna tuner. As you say, it is very "agile" antenna system and was very simple to erect. For low power work (<200 watts) I am using the low loss variety of TV (yes, television) 300 ohm twinlead. The 'V's' apex is up about 40 feet with each end at about 15-20 feet. The apex is supported by a 10 foot steel mast with a 10 foot plastic pipe on top of it for an for an overall height of 20 feet above my roof (up another 20 feet). My antenna's overall length is approximately 120 feet, although I never precisely measured it and the feed point is not exactly in the center. It is NOT a precision antenna system. I took what lengths of wire I had and what would fit on my roof and stuck it up there without taking the time to measure or trim anything. With this kind of antenna, bothering to measure anything is a waste of time because with twin lead and a tuner, a wet noodle will work just fine. When tuned up, my radios couldn't be happier, regardless of the frequency I'm transmitting on.

All of them. Build each one yourself. Experiment and learn. Build your own baluns too. Really appreciate the more experienced sharing their knowledge. Cheers.

I just stumbled across your videos. What a great resource! Thank you for making them; they are both entertaining and quite educational. I've picked up quite a lot of tips. I wish I had known you were based in Portsmouth! My wife and I visited two summers ago. My best to you and yours - take care and stay safe!

Thank you, for your excellent presentation! I just have a few observations to make: 1 - A big part of the enjoyment of amateur radio - for me - is learning about all sorts of antennas and constructing them myself. And, because of that, the only HF antennas I have ever purchased are my Steppir BigIR vertical with the 80m loading coil, and my screwdriver HF antenna for mobile use. Every other HF antenna I have has been constructed with my own two hands at a small fraction of the cost of purchasing something premade. 2 - Perhaps, the most important consideration in choosing between the antennas you discussed is the logistics involved in implementing them. If you have two sturdy, tall trees appropriately spaced, hanging a dipole between them may be the best choice. If you have zero natural supports and must depend on a manmade mast/tower/building for support, an inverted V may be the best choice. Likewise, if you have a nice tall tree at a distance from your home and no other supports available, an end fed half-wave antenna may be the best choice. The takeaway, here, is the circumstances of the individual amateur should be the primary guide in making the determination of the best antenna in any situation. 3 - A manual antenna tuner should be a part of every amateur radio operator's equipment. The versatility that they offer in regard to experimenting with various types of antennas cannot be overestimated. 4 - In my humble opinion, every amateur radio operator should be well versed in the various types of easily implemented antennas. This knowledge is, perhaps, the most valuable in terms of addressing the practical need for having amateur radio operators in the first place - to be able to communicate with the outside world in times of crisis or disaster. 5 - Finally, I think every amateur radio operator should have - or, have access to - the ARRL Handbook. It is, perhaps, the single best resource available for virtually every aspect of amateur radio. Thanks, again, for your relaxing and accurate presentation of these popular types of antennas! 73's AI4IJ

A much needed introduction for the recently licensed. When buying your first transceiver, "do you want an antenna with that". Your coax comments reminded me that I have a big project next year to replace all mine (some getting on a bit) with RG213 throughout. Rebuilding the antenna "farm" after a long break off air is no easy task. I have two G5RV, a full size full length of the property front to back and another half size across the property with 80m loading coils, plus a 80m half wave end fed that looks like a letter J from above. All have their strengths. 73, Stay Safe, Ken G3WNR

I have had all of those and also a double bazooka. Of all the antennas I have, the 80 meter full wave loop is by far the best antenna....so much so that I even took down all my other antennas. It tunes up on all but 160...I have an inverted L for that. I even took down the hex beam. Got tired of aiming it. The full wave loop works great on all the bands.

Nice video, I have tried all of these and can say that the Doublet is by far the best (for me at least) I bought a manual roller-inductor ATU based on reliability and adjustability, feed my 40m wire with 300 ohm ladder and the signal coverage is the best i have seen so far. Only have a small yard so the ends droop down by about 1m but its happy with that. Near zero loss is a big gain when power is limited ;)

Thanks for an Informative and thought provoking video. I'm a G3 just coming back into the hobby after a break of a few decades. Now with a smaller garden I'm at a point of looking at wire antennas and poles. The end fed looks the most interesting and suits my shack at the bottom of the garden and earthing via radial wires would be easier. However, when operating from the house its central to the antenna run and so the doublet would be more appropriate. Decisions....

Another great video. You have helped me make my mind up on the EFHW

It's pleasure to listen you!

Thank you very much for comparing these different antennas. It was very informative and useful. Great Job!