The ZED Dipole Antenna is an innovative, practical, and easy-to-build antenna design popular among VHF/UHF hobbyists. Originally described by IZ0HCC, this antenna stands out due to its minimal materials, straightforward construction, and impressive performance on 2 m and 70 cm amateur bands. This blog post provides a simplified explanation of the ZED Dipole, how it works, and why many experimenters admire it.
The ZED Dipole antenna is a folded, bent-element dipole antenna shaped like the letter “Z”, hence the name. By bending each dipole leg downward, the antenna achieves a compact size while still maintaining resonance at the desired frequency.
It is typically built using:
- 6–8 mm aluminum or copper rod
- A simple non-conductive support
- Standard coax feedline
- A center clamp or insulated support block
The ZED Dipole Antenna can be mounted horizontally or vertically, depending on operating preference.
The “Z” shape is not just for appearance. It changes the current distribution and electrical length, allowing:
- Reduced physical size compared to a straight dipole
- Broadband behavior within VHF segments
- Improved impedance matching near 50 ohms
- Stable omnidirectional pattern when mounted vertically
The down-bent ends act similarly to capacitance hats, helping tune resonance without needing coils or traps.At its core, the antenna is still a half-wave dipole. The bending simply modifies geometry while keeping electrical properties intact.
Key working principles:
1. Half-Wave Radiator
Each “Z” side forms one half of the traditional dipole. Current peaks near the center and decreases toward the bent ends.
2. Downward Legs Act as Capacitive Load
The vertical legs provide capacitive loading, which:
- Lowers the resonant frequency
- Allows short overall length
- Smooths the impedance curve
3. Simple Direct Coax Feed
Most builders feed the antenna directly with:
- 50-ohm coax (RG-58, RG-213, LMR-240, etc.)
- No balun required, though a choke can improve stability
Building Tips
To reproduce the best results (as shown in IZ0HCC’s original article):
- Keep both arms of the dipole identical
- Bend angles should be smooth, not sharp
- Use a sturdy center support
- Add a 1:1 choke (5–7 turns of coax) near feedpoint to reduce RF on the shield
- Start slightly long; trim ends for final resonance
The ZED Dipole antenna concept, construction photos, and detailed measurements were originally published by IZ0HCC.
You can view the full original article here:
👉 http://www.iz0hcc.it/zed-dipole/
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