WATSON 80PLUS-2 80, 40, 20m Compact Triband Dipole

80PLUS-2 80, 40, 20m Compact Triband Dipole

* Bands 80, 40, 20m
* Bandwidth (without ATU) 20m 250kHz, 40m 100kHz, 80m 70kHz
* Power 400W PEP
* Length 15.8m (52ft) max
* Feed 50 Ohms
* Matching Balun fed with SO-239 connector
The 80Plus-2 designed by G3OJV is a compact antenna that covers the three popular bands 80, 40 and 20m.
Measuring just 15.8m (52ft) in length it is ideal for small gardens.
For an even smaller garden, the system can be erected as an inverted V and will take up a horizontal length of around 12m (40ft).

Unlike the G5RV, this design offers true resonance on all three bands and can be used without an ATU.
Howver, most transceivers now have built-in ATUs and this will effectively widen the bandwidth available on 80m.

The secret of the efficiency of this antenna is in the use of linear loading.
This does away with the need for tuned traps and provides excellent performance.
On 20m the bandwidth is very wide, mainly due to over coupling between the 20m element and the 40m element. On this band the antenna functions as a conventional dipole.
On 40m, the antenna functions as a linear loaded dipole with an efficiency that is very close to a full-sized dipole and with a bandwidth that covers the full band.
On 80m, the addition of choke inductors serve the joint role of isolating the 80m sections from the 40m section and loading the entire system to resonance on the 80m band.
Typical useable bandwidth is around 70kHz but this can be extended with the use of an ATU.
The antenna is rated at 400W.
The system is supplied as a complete unit, but requires the purchaser to do the final assembly of the linear loaded element.
The only tools required are a screwdriver and a pair of pliers with side cutters.

The only additions required being 50 Ohm coax fitted with PL-259 plug and nylon cord or similar support for the end insulators.