I have always been an avid antenna builder. My primary interest is wire antennas and vhf/uhf quads. These are the more simple of antennas to build from a construction standpoint. I do not have the means to take on the more complex antennas such as beams, large quads, etc. I do find that the different types of wire antennas can be challenging depending on the type.

My latest venture came about from a need for smaller antennas due to space restrictions on the property that we have at our home. I have several trees in the back yard, but the power lines, phone lines and cable all cross about 1/3 of the yard. Not wanting to run anything above the wires for obvious reasons, I chose to build a short G5RV.

I have heard and read many conflicting stories about this antenna and its performance. After doing a lot of reseach and looking at different types of designs, I decieded to go off on my own and use the designs I had found as a starting point.

The G5RV Jr. as its called is a simple antenna 51 feet long and fed with window line. Seems simple enough. I did not like the window line portion of the antenna and decided to go with a ladder line design. In trying to come up with a method of making spacers, I enlisted the help of the XYL. She works with some very mechanical systems and her suggestions were great. The ladder line consists of 1/2" PVC pipe cut into 4 inch lengths. This calculates out to a 600 Ohm line. Two lines of 14ga THHN wire were stretched between a couple of supports. I needed around 16 feet of ladder line. Large zip ties were warmed until soft with a heater and then pushed into the tube and brought around the wire and then zipped up at the other end. Small zip ties were used at each end at top and bottom of the wire to make a secure mount.

Two legs were measured out 25.5 feet + 6" for connection on either end. These legs were attached to insulators and soldered. At this point, we had a 51 foot dipole. The ladder line was fed through the center insulator and soldered to each leg. I am lucky enough to have a large antique soldering iron that runs about 700 watts so its nice and hot. Using this iron I am able to make very solid solder joints with no worry about the joint beinig cold.

Now for the other end. I cut a solid piece of plastic and drilled holes for the ladder line and an SO-239 connector. The ladder line was fed through the hole and attached to the connector as shown below.

With the assistance of a slingshot, fishing weights and some rope, the antenna was hoisted about 15 feet in the air. The feedline is RG-213 and no balun was used.

This is by far the best antenna I have used except for single band dipoles. The antenna has proven to very sensitive and has good noise rejection when the bands are cooperative. Loading with the tuner has been easy on 10-40 meters and although its touchy, I can load 75 meters. The antenna was put into service and in just over a month, with my limited time, I was successful with contacts in 13 countries and multiple US QSO's. All DX contacts have been 57 to 59 and I have found myself on top of the pileups against the kilowatt stations. I am truly impressed with this antenna.