1. End Fed Half Wave Antennas
Perhaps the Simplest of All Multiband Wire Antennas
Hap Griffin WZ4O
January 2019

2. Before We Start… Recall from previous programs and antenna/transmission line theory… In any resonant RF system with standing waves that impedance changes with distance from a source or load and repeats every half wavelength… And… A Half Wavelength away from an open (Hi Z) is an open (Hi Z), and a Quarter Wavelength away from an open (Hi Z) is a short (Lo Z).

3. Current, Voltage and Impedance on a Half Wavelength Dipole
Ohm’s Law: R = E/I
Impedance: Z = R ± X

4. Balance and Grounding in Low Impedance Antennas
In a low impedance feedpoint antenna (half wave dipole fed at midpoint, or a quarter wave vertical), we are concerned with current balance…the antenna has to “work against” a stable reference (ground).
In a dipole, the two sides of the antenna provide the reference for each other and the feed current is balanced between the two sides.

5. Balance and Grounding in Low Impedance Antennas
In a low impedance feedpoint antenna (half wave dipole fed at midpoint, or a quarter wave vertical), we are concerned with current balance…the antenna has to “work against” a stable reference (ground).
In a ¼ wave vertical, the reference can be the actual “ground”…

6. Balance and Grounding in Low Impedance Antennas
In a low impedance feedpoint antenna (half wave dipole fed at midpoint, or a quarter wave vertical), we are concerned with current balance…the antenna has to “work against” a stable reference (ground).
Or, a set of radials (also known as a “counterpoise). For a low impedance feedpoint where we have significant current that has to be carried, the radials are generally ¼ wavelength long to provide a low impedance at their joining point (remember, ¼ wave away from an open is a short).

7. Balance and Grounding in High Impedance Antennas
In a high impedance feedpoint antenna, for any given power, the currents are less and having a stable reference point (ground or counterpoise) becomes less important.

8. The Zeppelin Antenna
No “ground” is available…so a high impedance antenna (a half wavelength wire fed at the end (half wave away from an open is an open)) is used to minimize the need for a ground reference or counterpoise. A ¼ wavelength of transmission line is use to transform the Hi Z of the antenna to Lo Z for the transmitter.

9. A Modern Day Incarnation of the Classic Zeppelin Antenna…
the familiar J-Pole Antenna!

11. A Modern Day Incarnation of the Counterpoise…
The “Tigertail” or “Rat Tail” to enhance the performance of an HT antenna

12. Current, Voltage and Impedance on a Half Wavelength Dipole
Ohm’s Law: R = E/I
Impedance: Z = R ± X

13. Dipole Operated on 2nd Harmonic Frequency
Impedance
Voltage
Current
Ohm’s Law: R = E/I Impedance: Z = R ± X

14. Dipole Operated on Fundamental and 2nd Harmonic Frequencies
Fundamental Impedance
2nd Harmonic Impedance
Feedpoint Impedance in the middle is vastly different on fundamental frequency vs 2nd harmonic

15. Dipole Operated on Fundamental and 2nd Harmonic Frequencies
Fundamental Impedance
2nd Harmonic Impedance
At a point offset from the middle, the feedpoint Impedance is same on
fundamental frequency and 2nd harmonic, but is higher than at a center feedpoint.

16. Dipole Operated on Fundamental and 2nd Harmonic Frequencies w/ Offset Feedpoint
Z = Approx 200 ohms
Fundamental Impedance
2nd Harmonic Impedance
Balun
By using a 4:1 balun at the point where the fundamental and 2nd harmonic feedpoint impedances are the same, we have a multiband antenna

17. Current, Voltage and Impedance on a Dipole
Ohm’s Law: R = E/I
Impedance: Z = R ± X

18. Dipole Operated on 2nd Harmonic Frequency
Impedance
Voltage
Current
Ohm’s Law: R = E/I Impedance: Z = R ± X

19. Dipole Operated on 3rd Harmonic Frequency
Impedance
Voltage
Current
Ohm’s Law: R = E/I
Impedance: Z = R ± X

20. Dipole Operated on 4th Harmonic Frequency
Impedance
Voltage
Current
Ohm’s Law: R = E/I
Impedance: Z = R ± X

21. Harmonic Relationship of Ham Bands
80m – 3.5 MHz
40m – 7.0 MHz
30m MHz
20m – 14 MHz
17m – MHz
15m – 21 MHz
10m – 28 MHz

22. Takes the place of the ¼ wave transmision line section of the Zepp antenna but is broadbanded.

26. Grounding the EFHW Antenna
Config 1: No ground, use coax shield as counterpoise
Works but can have RF in the shack
Wire Supported by Any Convenient Means
Radio
Matching Unit
Can be Mounted Close to Ground

27. Grounding the EFHW Antenna
Config 2: Counterpoise wire added
Works better than Config 1, may need to adjust length of counterpoise for best VSWR performance
Radio
Matching Unit
Counterpoise

28. Grounding the EFHW Antenna
Config 3: No ground, use coax shield as counterpoise and place RF choke near shack
Works better than Config 1
Radio
Matching Unit
RF Choke

29. Grounding the EFHW Antenna
Config 4: Ground at matching unit
Works better than Config 2 (Counterpoise)
Radio
Matching Unit

30. Grounding the EFHW Antenna
Config 5: Ground at matching unit with RF choke near matching unit
Best performance in tests
Radio
RF Choke
Matching Unit

31. Questions?