End-Fed Antennas: Projects and Design Resources
Find plans and articles for building various end-fed antennas, including half-wave, multiband, and portable designs for amateur radio use.
End-fed wire antennas are popular with ham radio operators for their simplicity and ease of deployment, especially for portable operations or when space for a full-size dipole is limited. These antennas are fed at one end, often through a matching unit or unun, making them straightforward to set up as slopers, inverted-Vs, or horizontal wires without needing a feedline in the middle. They are commonly used for HF bands, allowing hams to make QSOs from nearly any location.
This category provides numerous antenna projects and articles detailing the construction and theory of various end-fed designs. Operators can find instructions for building single-band and multiband end-fed half-wave antennas, including designs for low bands like 160 and 80 meters, as well as higher frequencies. Many resources focus on matching transformers, such as 9:1 ununs, to handle different power levels up to QRO. There are also insights into portable QRP setups and specialized designs like the Terminated End Fed Vee Antenna, offering practical solutions for diverse operating needs.
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Construction details for a G0KYA HF End-Fed Half-Wave (EFHW) vertical antenna, including matching unit winding, coax capacitor tuning, and a shopping list. -
A 40m through 17m Mini End Fed Half Wave Antenna Coupler by Steve Yates - AA5TB -
One is an EFHWA for 20-40 meters, and the other is a matching unit for the antenna by n0lx -
This type of antenna has same performance as a dipole, but requires only one single mounting point -
This project produces an inexpensive, multiband, end fed HF antenna matchbox, quick and easy to setup. This project creates a trifilar wound, 9:1 UNUN toroid matching transformer. Handles 100W and need an antenna tuner. -
This PDF File desscribes how to homemade a multi-band end-fed trapped wire antenna resonating on the low bands of 160 80 and 40 meters. Contains trap design instructions and some construction tips. -
VK2ZAY end-fed antenna for 40 and 80 meter band -
Four band lightweight antenna, that rolls up into an small Grundig antenna case by N0LX -
Understanding Gain differences, j-pole and end-feed vertical antennas. -
There are many incorrect ideas and claims surrounding end-fed vertical antennas (like the I-Max 2000), end fed horizontal antennas, Zepp, and J-pole antennas. This article describes it. -
Article with detailed pictures of an endfeed antennna for 20 and 30 meter band -
End-Fed antennas are NOT balanced systems; but neither are verticals, ground planes, discones, windoms, zepps, Marconis, half-slopers, et al. Additionally, the low-impedance antenna port of your transmitter/receiver is not balanced. -
End-Fed Half-Wave Antenna for the 7 or 10 MHZ amateur bands intended to provide a very simple to erect yet effective portable QRP antenna. -
Here is a sure fire way to make end-fed halfwave antennas fed with a 50 ohm coupler work - without long radials, grounds, chokes, voodoo. -
A guide to building a 5-band inverted L antenna for small gardens. -
An in-depth article by N2CX on End-Fed Half-Wave Antennas (EFHWA) for QRP portable operation, covering construction, deployment, and tuning. -
A portable end fed HF antenna article written by W0CH -
A 40m through 20m QRO End Fed Half Wave Antenna Coupler by Steve Yates - AA5TB -
Optimizing performances of the end-fed antennas QRP quarterly article -
The Terminated End Fed Vee Antenna (TEFV) is a travelling wave antenna with constant current distribution. Unlike traditional resonant antennas, TEFV operates without standing waves, using a terminating resistor for broadband efficiency. With a combination of vertical and horizontal polarization, it offers wide bandwidth from 1.8 MHz to 30 MHz, eliminating the need for a tuner. Key components include a 9:1 unun transformer and a 500-ohm terminating resistor. Grounding and counterpoise enhance performance, and it can handle power losses of up to 30%. TEFV provides an effective, versatile antenna solution for amateur radio and broadcast applications. -
Benefits and limitations of an end feed antennas. By Peter Parker VK3YE - first appeared in Amateur Radio, June 1998 -
With this antenna the coverage is 80,40,20,15 and 10 meter band without any antenna tuner and the average SWR is below 1.2 on phone bands. The total antenna lenght is about 23 meters , with one 20.4 meters long segment from the 1:49 transformer to the 110uh coil and about 2.2 meters long segment from the coil to the insulator. -
A basic article on end-fed antennas by KB6NU -
Intrigued by a German OM positive experience with a 20m delta loop, the author replicated the design, noting its favorable 50-ohm impedance compared to their 40m version. Testing against a vertical EFHW, the delta loop excelled within EU but lagged at longer distances. Despite needing more testing, the user leaned towards the EFHW for its overall performance and practicality. -
I used a FT 240-43 for much more power, not needed but beter safe than sorry. 150 Watt continious, 300 Watt PEP SSB, 90 Watt Digimodes 10 Mhz, 18 Mhz, 24 Mhz Very easy to build design and a good antenna for people who don't have much space for big towers or long wires This design is from Hans - PE1RNU -
The antenna is an inexpensive, multiband, end fed HF antenna. It has a matching network consisting of a toroid core and an antenna lead of 30 -
Article about an end-fed anntenna for the 17 and 12 WARC Bands. 30 meters is not included in this project. This antenna includes a 14 windings unun impedance transformer using a FT-140-43 ferrite toroid, that should be enought for a 100W PEP. -
An RSGB article on end-fed wire antennas and the W3EDP alternative. -
A compact halfwave endfed wire antenna tuner that works 12 thru 40 meters with a halfwave wire for the band of interest attached -
Opting for a visually appealing inverted L configuration, G4WIF anchors the End Fed Half Wave antenna to an old clothes line pole, seeking cost-effectiveness in their endeavor. Despite initial misconceptions about transformer components, a £7.95 investment in a T240-43 toroid and DIY mounting container resolves the issue. Reflecting on commercial alternatives, G4WIF's homemade solution proves both economical and sufficient for their amateur radio needs. -
A multiband end-fed antenna that cover 3.5 to 30 Mhz using a 1:64 Balun based on a FT240-43 core -
This document details the construction of a multi-band end-fed antenna, suitable for situations with limited space for larger antennas. The design utilizes a 1:49 to 1:60 impedance transformer to match a half-wave wire antenna fed at one end. Compared to a traditional dipole, this antenna resembles a highly unbalanced Windom antenna with one very long leg and a virtual short leg. The design eliminates the need for radials but relies on the coax cable shield for grounding. The document recommends using at least 10 meters of coax and installing a common mode filter at the entry point to the shack for improved performance. -
This is a 200 Watt PEP step up transformer for end fed full and half wave antennas without radials, designed as a 200 Watt PEP -
A multi band antenna for HF band capable to operate from 10 to 80 meters band depending on wire lenght loaded with a small inductance neat the feed end. -
A homebrew project for a multiband end-fed antenna made with a single FT140-43 and 50pf capacitor and 20 meters of wire. -
Vertical end fed antenna used for portable operations. The antenna will work on 80 with acceptable results, it will work fine on 40m, and it will be a good deal better than a normal 1/4 wave GP on 20, 17, 15 meters. -
A multiband trapped end-fed antenna can cover 20 30 40m bands. An option for portable sota operations were weight end simplicity are essential -
The no counterpoise antenna -
This page provides detailed instructions on refining an end-fed vertical dipole antenna for ham radio operators looking to improve their signal reception and transmission. The content offers practical tips and techniques for optimizing the performance of this specific type of antenna. The page is useful for hams who are interested in experimenting with different antenna designs and configurations to enhance their overall radio communication experience. -
Experiences with the end-fed dipole based on the concepts presented by J. Taylor in an article titled RFD-1 and RFD-2: Resonant Feed-Line Dipoles in QST. August 1991. -
This project outlines the construction of a simple TEFV (Tilted End-Fed Vertical) antenna suitable for backyard or park installations. The design requires basic materials such as 100 feet of coated stranded copper wire, wood stakes, metal ground rods, a non-conductive fiberglass pole, and essential tools like wire cutters and a soldering iron. The antenna is supported by a 20-33 feet tall pole and includes a 9:1 unun for impedance matching and a resistor for tuning. Step-by-step instructions guide the assembly, from preparing the wire and pole to connecting the unun and resistor, ensuring a functional and durable setup for outdoor use. -
Basically, this antenna is a 23-foot wire fed through a 4:1 un-un transformer. This antenna can be easily used in portable operation, for operating all bands from 40-10 meters.