Radio Club G5RV Presentation 002

An Overview of the G5RV Antenna:
Understanding its Design and Operation.
Presented by:
Mike Parkin
GØJMI
Concept of G5RV Antenna
Alton Antenna Arrays Slide 1

Compact Antenna Solutions
Website: http://aaa001.webeden.co.uk/ 09/09/2012
Introduction
Mike Parkin:
• First licensed as G8NDJ in 1977.
• Became GØJMI in 1988.
• Interests in Radio have included:
- Microwave Bands (Built from 23cm to 6mm)
- 6m, 10m and 12m operating SSB/CW
- 60m and 80m CW QRP
- 472KHz (just got on band)
- Building equipment (Tx, Rx, PSU)
- Antennas (Designing, Building and Using)
- Operating as /P
• QTH: Alton, Hampshire.
• BSC(Hons) MIET CEng MCGI (Electrical, Telecoms & Radio Engineer)

Presentation Content
1. Background. 6. Half Size G5RV.
2. Design Objectives. 7. Designing a G5RV
3. Back to Basics. Derivative.
4. Design of the Full 8. Useful Tips.
Size G5RV. 9. Summary.
5. Full Size G5RV 10. Q&A Session.
Operation.

Background:
The G5RV Antenna, an Overview:
- Basic antenna was devised by Louis Varney G5RV and design
dates from 1946.
- The antenna is resonant on one band (20m for the ‘Full Size’
G5RV), but is able operate on several HF Amateur bands.
- Antenna was described in the November 1966 issue of the RSGB’s
Bulletin.
- Louis’ concept was as a limited space antenna that will work on the
HF bands from 80m to 10m. Had to fit in his home’s 100ft long
garden in Stony Stratford.

Background:
Louis Varney MIEE C.Eng, G5RV. A Short Summary:
- Born in 1911, London.
- Attended Hendon Secondary School.
- Granted an Artificial Aerial licence 2ARV in 1927.
- Granted Full Licence G5RV in C.1930 following a
submission to the GPO’s PMG on oscillator development.
- Held about 60 call-signs internationally!
- He was one of the founder Members of the Chelmsford
Amateur Radio Society in 1936. He was a member of the
Mid-Sussex Amateur Radio Society in his retirement. Was
an RSGB member for 74 years.
- Worked for the Marconi Company as an instructor and on
overseas radio maintenance/testing engineer/manager.
- Rose to Captain in Royal Corps of Signals during WW2.
- Died in 2000, Burgess Hill, Sussex.

Design Objectives
G5RV:
- Multiband antenna that does not use tuning (e.g. no traps
or ferrite beads used).
- Straightforward to make.
- Lightweight.
- Ease of installation.
- Reliable.
- Still work even when ends have to be bent over.
- Able to handle 400w.

Back To Basics:
Wavelength (λ):
One Wavelength (λ): 360o or 2π Radians
λ= 300
Frequency in MHz
λ
Transmission Line as a Transformer:
Zin = ZLoad ZLoad

But only at frequency
corresponding to λ. Length 1/2 λ
Velocity Factor (Vf)

A Radio Wave travels slower in a medium (e.g. copper) than in air, this Velocity
Factor (Vf) is usually quoted as a decimal fraction (e.g. 0.98). Vf depends upon the
material making up cable, e.g. plastic, copper, air. Can be as low as 0.8 for some
Ladder Cable types.

Back To Basics:
The 1/2 Wavelength Dipole: The 3/2 Wavelength Dipole:
Length 1/2 λ Length 3/2 λ
ZDipole ~ 74Ω ZDipole ~ 100Ω
Concept of Current and Voltage Voltage

Distribution on an Antenna
Current
Design of the Full Size G5RV:
Designed for use between 80m and 10m, Resonant Band is 20m.
Top Section
3/2 Wavelengths at 14.15MHz, = 31.1m (allowing for Vf)
Ladder 1/2 Wavelength at 14.15MHz = 10.34m

Section (Open Wires and allowing for Vf)
Top Section Length = 492(n-0.05)/14.15MHz, where n = 3 1/2 Wavelengths, n-0.05 allows for Vf
Ladder Section:
Always carries a standing-wave of current (and voltage), so its actual impedance is not
important (often open wires, 300Ω or 450Ω Ladder Line used).
1/2 Wavelength Ladder Line is shorter due to Vf.

Full Size G5RV Operation
3.5MHz, 80m Band
Centre of Predicted Horizontal Polar Plot of Field

Current ½λ Strength, free space.
Standing Dipole on
Wave 3.5MHz
Z = Approx’ (21Ω + J12Ω)

Predicted Vertical Polar Plot of Field
at 3.65MHz. Strength, Antenna at 7m agl.
Antenna is like a 1/2λ Dipole folded at its centre. Length approx’ 70% of 80m Dipole.
7.0MHz, 40m Band
Centre of Predicted Horizontal Polar Plot of

Current Antenna, Field Strength, Free Space.
Standing 2 x λ/2 in
Wave Phase on
7.0MHz
Z = Approx’ (72Ω - J161Ω) Predicted Vertical Polar Plot of

at 7.1MHz. Field Strength, Antenna at 7m agl.
Antenna acts as a colinear with two 1/2λ fed in phase.

10MHz, 30m Band
Predicted Horizontal Polar Plot of

Current Field Strength, Free Space.
Standing
Wave
Z = Approx’ (39Ω + J334Ω) at

Predicted Vertical Polar Plot of
10.12MHz. Field Strength, Antenna at 7m agl.
Antenna acts as a colinear with two 1/2λ fed in phase.

14.0MHz, 20m Band

Standing
Wave
Z = Approx’ (106Ω - J102Ω) at Predicted Vertical Polar Plot of

20m is the Full Size G5RV’s Resonant Band. Fairly low angle of radiation.
18.0MHz, 17m Band

Standing
Wave
Z = Approx’ (151Ω - j500Ω) at

Predicted Vertical Polar Plot of
Antenna acts as a two λ wires, folded up centre, fed in phase. Low radiation angle.
21.0MHz, 15m Band

Standing
Wave
Z = Approx’ (37Ω + j66Ω) at Predicted Vertical Polar Plot of

Antenna is a 5λ/2 wire presenting a high Z to transmitter. Higher radiation angle.

24.9MHz, 12m Band
Current Predicted Horizontal Polar Plot of

Standing Field Strength, Free Space.
Wave
Z = Approx’ (137Ω - j91Ω) at Predicted Vertical Polar Plot of

Antenna is 5λ/2 wire with a high Resistive Z seen by transmitter. Higher radiation angle.
28.0MHz, 10m Band

Field Strength, Free Space.
Current
Standing
Wave
Z = Approx’ (37Ω + J2Ω) at Predicted Vertical Polar Plot of

Antenna acts as two 3λ/2 wires fed in phase with low angle of radiation.
Half Size G5RV
Top Section 15.55m
300Ω Ladder Cable

Section ~5m
Resonant Band: 10m (i.e. Three λ/2 long)

Ladder Line is λ/2 long at 10m, 4.7m (allowing for Vf).
Bands: 40m, 30m, 20m, 17m, 15m, 12m and 10m.
Basis for 4010RV

Designing a G5RV Derivative
Resonant Frequency: 50.2MHz.
Top Section 8.41m
λ = 300/50.2 or 5.98m
λ/2 = 2.99m
300Ω Ladder Cable

Top Section is 3λ/2, or 8.97m long.
Section 2.61m
Allowing Vf = 0.935, Top Section = 8.41m
Ladder Section is λ/2 or 2.99m.

Allowing Vf = 0.88 for 300Ω Ladder Cable gives 2.61m
Bands: 20m, 17m, 15m, 12m, 10m and 6m

Basis for 206RV

Useful Tips
Wire Top Section
The G5RV Antenna presents a 300Ω Ribbon

range of Impedances depending
upon the Band in use.
A good practice is to operate

with an Antenna Tuning Unit
14.150 (ATU) connected between the
Transceiver and the Antenna
HF Rig Suitable SWR Antenna to allow a reasonable match
Meter Tuning Unit
to 50Ω to be found.

Useful Tips
A typical arrangement, ‘Straight’:
Suitable Suitable
Anchor Anchor
Point Point
Wire Top Section ‘Straight’
Suitable Suitable
Nylon Twine 300Ω Nylon Twine
Ribbon As high as possible
(e.g. at least more
than 7m)
50Ω SO259
Socket
50Ω co-ax cable
to suitable
transceiver/ATU
Ground Level

Useful Tips
A typical arrangement, Full Size G5RV as an ‘Inverted V’:
Wire Top Section Inverted ‘V’

Mast, as high as possible
(e.g. at least more than 7m)
Up to about 5m
300Ω
Suitable Ribbon Suitable
Nylon Twine Nylon Twine
50Ω SO259 Suitable

Suitable Socket
50Ω co-ax cable Anchor
Anchor Point
to suitable
Point
transceiver/ATU
Ground Level

Useful Tips
A typical arrangement, Full Size G5RV installed ‘to Fit Space Available’:
Suitable Suitable
Anchor Anchor
Point Point
Insulator
Wire Top Section ‘Straight’ Insulator
Suitable Suitable
Nylon Twine Up to As high as possible Nylon Twine
about 3m 300Ω (e.g. at least more
Ribbon than 7m)
Suitable Suitable
Nylon Twine 50Ω SO259 Nylon Twine
Socket
Suitable Anchor Point Ground Level Suitable Anchor Point

Useful Tips
A typical arrangement, Using a Balun:
Wire Top Section ‘Straight’
Suitable Suitable
Nylon Twine 300Ω Nylon Twine
Ribbon
50Ω co-ax cable Balun (transformer)

to suitable
transceiver/ATU
Ground Level
Sometimes the ATU can not find a 50Ω match, unless a 1:1 or a 4:1 Balun is
used between the balanced Ladder Line and unbalanced Co-Ax Cable.

Summary
• Background. Thank you for
• Design Objectives.
• Back to Basics. listening
• Design of the Full Size
G5RV.
• Full Size G5RV Operation. Question Session
• Half Size G5RV.
• Designing a G5RV
Derivative.
• Useful Tips.
• Summary.
• Q&A Session.
Concept of G5RV Antenna


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An Overview of the G5RV Antenna:

Understanding its Design and Operation.

Concept of G5RV Antenna

Alton Antenna Arrays Slide 1

Alton Antenna Arrays Slide 2

Alton Antenna Arrays Slide 3

Alton Antenna Arrays Slide 4

Alton Antenna Arrays Slide 5

Alton Antenna Arrays Slide 6

Zin = ZLoad ZLoad

Velocity Factor (Vf)

Alton Antenna Arrays Slide 7

ZDipole ~ 74Ω ZDipole ~ 100Ω

Concept of Current and Voltage Voltage

Ladder 1/2 Wavelength at 14.15MHz = 10.34m

Alton Antenna Arrays Slide 9

Centre of Predicted Horizontal Polar Plot of Field

Z = Approx’ (21Ω + J12Ω)

Centre of Predicted Horizontal Polar Plot of

Z = Approx’ (72Ω - J161Ω) Predicted Vertical Polar Plot of

Antenna acts as a colinear with two 1/2λ fed in phase.

Predicted Horizontal Polar Plot of

Z = Approx’ (39Ω + J334Ω) at

Antenna acts as a colinear with two 1/2λ fed in phase.

Predicted Horizontal Polar Plot of

Z = Approx’ (106Ω - J102Ω) at Predicted Vertical Polar Plot of

Predicted Horizontal Polar Plot of

Z = Approx’ (151Ω - j500Ω) at

Predicted Horizontal Polar Plot of

Z = Approx’ (37Ω + j66Ω) at Predicted Vertical Polar Plot of

Antenna is a 5λ/2 wire presenting a high Z to transmitter. Higher radiation angle.

Current Predicted Horizontal Polar Plot of

Z = Approx’ (137Ω - j91Ω) at Predicted Vertical Polar Plot of

Predicted Horizontal Polar Plot of

Z = Approx’ (37Ω + J2Ω) at Predicted Vertical Polar Plot of

300Ω Ladder Cable

Resonant Band: 10m (i.e. Three λ/2 long)

Alton Antenna Arrays Slide 18

300Ω Ladder Cable

Ladder Section is λ/2 or 2.99m.

Bands: 20m, 17m, 15m, 12m, 10m and 6m

Alton Antenna Arrays Slide 19

The G5RV Antenna presents a 300Ω Ribbon

A good practice is to operate

Alton Antenna Arrays Slide 20

Wire Top Section ‘Straight’

Alton Antenna Arrays Slide 21

Wire Top Section Inverted ‘V’

50Ω SO259 Suitable

Alton Antenna Arrays Slide 22

Suitable Anchor Point Ground Level Suitable Anchor Point

Alton Antenna Arrays Slide 23

Wire Top Section ‘Straight’

50Ω co-ax cable Balun (transformer)

Alton Antenna Arrays Slide 24

Concept of G5RV Antenna

Alton Antenna Arrays Slide 25

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