Keleman trapped dipole 10,15,20,30,40

[KE9DWN]

I just received my license and purchased Keleman trapped dipole 5 band. I installed in my attic and was told to get it level. In my effort to do that I stretched the 2 large coils between balun and 1st trap. I worked on both to get the large circles back but apparently either wrong size or wrong position or both. Looking for someone with this 5 band antenna that may be able to give me some measurements that I may be able to get the antenna back. all bands out of spec according to Nano VNA analyzer.

 

[K4EET]

I just received my license and purchased Keleman trapped dipole 5 band. I installed in my attic and was told to get it level. In my effort to do that I stretched the 2 large coils between balun and 1st trap. I worked on both to get the large circles back but apparently either wrong size or wrong position or both. Looking for someone with this 5 band antenna that may be able to give me some measurements that I may be able to get the antenna back. all bands out of spec according to Nano VNA analyzer.

Welcome to Radio Reference!

You might try emailing the manufacturer and ask for a dimensioned drawing of that part:

Kelemen 11500-43251 Kelemen Trap Dipole Antennas | DX Engineering

Free Shipping - Kelemen Trap Dipole Antennas with qualifying orders of $99. Shop Wire Antennas at DX Engineering.

www.dxengineering.com

 

[KE9DWN]

it is hard to see but the larger loop in the center of the let side of photo is tied with a single zip tie and is located between the Balun and the first trap. what i have discovered is that this loop somehow effects all 5 bands.

 

[prcguy]

I would send the antenna back for a refund claiming it fell apart during installation. You could spend the rest of your life trying to get that thing back together. Anything held together with Ty-Raps is going to fail and fall apart in the sun within a few years. I understand yours is in an attic but its the principal of a mfr making something that is guaranteed to fail sooner than it should.

Maybe look into an American made product like Alpha Delta shortened dipoles.

 

[K4EET]

<snip> Anything held together with Ty-Raps is going to fail and fall apart in the sun within a few years. I understand yours is in an attic but its the principal of a mfr making something that is guaranteed to fail sooner than it should.

Maybe look into an American made product like Alpha Delta shortened dipoles.

I have to agree that the antenna does not appear to be of good quality by today’s expectations. The price seems high for the apparent low build quality as well. I have had Alpha-Delta dipoles outside the house in the sun for many years without failure. The Alpha-Delta brand is well liked among hams.

 

[w4bce]

I do not know this antenna but I suspect the larger loops were for shipping only and not part of the tuning. If the large loops were for tuning there would be more ties like the smaller loops.

 

[KE9DWN]

Thank you w4bce. That is what a few others said as well.although i was originally told not to cut ties. Not very clear instructions

 

[AK9R]

For reference, the listing on DX Engineering's website: Kelemen 11500-43251 Kelemen Trap Dipole Antennas | DX Engineering

Two reviews. One 5-star saying the antenna is well made. One 2-star saying the antenna detunes when wet.