Dipole, 20m band DIY antenna question

[Newhanfan1]

I have been trying out all types of wires for my dipoles but I’ve noticed that sometimes my two elements don’t always end up parallel to the ground. Sometimes the two elements sag and end in more of sight U shape than in a straight line.

My question is what kind of negative effects will I notice on the antenna if the two elements are not exactly parallel to the ground? I havent noticed anything too drastic so far on receive but I do not have my general yet so I cannot transmit on that band.

 

[popnokick]

You’re the first ever to experience this… JUST KIDDING! It happens to all wire antennas. And while you don’t want excessive sag you also don’t want “guitar string” tension either. The effect of the wire drooping slightly is negligible to signal quality, as is ensuring the elements are perfectly parallel to the ground. Many antennas are deliberately installed NOT parallel to the ground… look up “sloper” antenna. Focus on something that is more critical and will have more effect on the dipole’s ability to work well, e.g. height above the earth. How high is your antenna? And what is / will be your feedline, length, and radio to which you are connecting?

 

[jwt873]

When I got my license, I was a student living with my parents in a 2 story house with a brick chimney. My bedroom was on the second floor.

I ran a 20 meter dipole between the chimney and a clothes line pole out in the back yard. It went from 25 feet down to 8 feet which resulted in quite a slope.

The antenna performed very well. I used it for a year and worked the world using an old Heathkit HW-100 tube radio.

 

[K6GBW]

A little sag is good. It keeps wires from breaking if they have a little wiggle room. I've seen dipoles that were pulled extremely tight and they never last.