A touch of Class,  The Windom and the J-POLE
By Glynn E. "Buck" Rogers Sr  (65 years as K4ABT)

The J-POLE has been around since the early days of HAM Radio, and is a direct descendant of the "Windom"  
Like the Windom or ZEPP,  the J-POLE  is a spin-off,  or a modified WINDOM for VHF and UHF.   One of the
first articles I wrote about the  J-Pole was in HRC magazine in 1958.  Since 1958,  I've written several j-pole 
articles in other HAM Radio publications.

Here, my references are to the early, 1923 (version) Windom (Article by Loren G. Windom September 1929, 
QST magazine) .  If you look at the  feed of the early Windom that was fed with a single wire, you may soon see 
the similarity between the Windom, ZEPP, and the J-Pole.  

Look close at the configuration of the Jpole and the Windom, and you will understand why in many of my articles in CQ 
Magazine and other publications,  that I often refer to the Jpole as a Windom, with the short section folded back on
itself to form the parasitic element.  It is for this reason that I feel these are two of the best antennas ever designed.

Having said this, you will also note that the Windom (and the Jpole) are powerful antennas that provide outstanding 
performance on all bands above the band for which they are cut or designed for.  The reason these two antennas 
perform so well (as Multi-Band antennas; Windom for HF & lo VHF, Jpole VHF & UHF),  is because they operate at  
harmonics of the fundamental or lowest frequency for which they are cut/designed.  To add additional feeders (ladder-line),
other than 50 ohm coax or UNUNs is a waste of RF energy.  Only 50 ohm coaxial cable and a BALUN at the feed-point 
is all that is necessary.  Anything more,  adds losses into the equation that cannot be overcome after-the-fact.

Remember the axiom:  
"When you have reached perfection, anything more becomes a point of diminishing returns." Enough said!

Trust me on the above paragraph, as I have experimented with every Windom and Jpole concept or design that can be imagined.  
Having built and sold thousands of these two antennas, I've found that It's difficult to improve on perfection.  

For now, let's look at some of the features of our J-Pole, whether for; 140-150 mHz, or 430-450 mHz 

• the J-Pole is easy to erect

• the J-Pole needs no radials

• the J-Pole has low angle radiation

• the J-POLE has greater bandwidth.

• the J-Pole has greater immunity to terrestrial noise

• the J-Pole is great for local nets or distant repeaters

• the J-Pole has more gain than most Ground Planes

• the J-Pole is more durable than most Ground Planes

• the J-Pole meets most "stealth" antenna restriction agreements

• the J-Pole has less static-charge noise, and static-charge build-up.

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In the mid-fifties, and early sixties, ridged copper was difficult to find, and even if we were fortunate
enough to locate ridged copper, the cost was prohibitive.  Most of our VHF (don't even think about UHF)
operating was AM (for the late model HAM, "Amplitude Modulation"), and on two meters, operating was
centered around 144 MHz.  We either opt'd for a bamboo spreader cubical quad, or folded "zepp," as we 
called it in those days (now-a-days, called a "J-Pole.")

Another variation to this antenna construction was to use electrical thin-wall conduit or "EMT."  EMT actually
means "electrical metallic thin-wall" but somehow early acronyms had a way of getting turned around, or inverted,
. . . or  perverted.. hi.  

Using metal EMT instead of copper, we learned to use the brazing rods and torch to fabricate our "folded (zepp) Jay."  
In any case, we were able to make the J-Pole happen.  For VHF, the J-Pole  became the antenna of choice, 
just as the Windom  took its place as the antenna of choice for the lower (HF) bands.  As a matter of interest, 
look close at both the J-pole and the Windom, and you might find a close resemblance and maybe even some 
relationships in the off-center method used to feed each of them.

I've heard of J-poles stacked, collinearized, and some with weird fitted, 1955 Ford fender-skirts.  Depending on
who's telling the story, they might have more gain than a yagi on a helicopter at 1200 feet, or they won't reach a hand-held
across the backyard.  I try to make it a personal point to stay out of these CB University fences.  You can put a "mini-skirt" 
on it, you can even place a "tutu" on the J-Pole, but the truth is, it remains a Jpole.

As a personal observation throughout my 64 years as a HAM;  Mistakes, Experience, and Knowledge has given
this ole HAM the Wisdom to know the difference.  Don't try to build a Windom for two meters, and for 
heavens sake,  DO NOT attempt building a J-Pole for seventy-five (75) meters.   As they say, "do the math;"  
Just the long, vertical section of a 75 meter J-pole would near 200 feet.  

TO THE POINT OF OUR SUBJECT:

I've had many requests for a ready-made J-pole design that will enable the Amateur Radio user to print the image 
from a web page and go directly to the construction table and build a J-Pole antenna for their HAM Radio station.  

On this page you will find many illustrations I've drawn to help you understand the manner in which a J Pole is built.
Fabrication can sometimes be a problem for the apartment dweller, or the HAM with limited facilities for this kind
of project.  

For these reasons, you may wish to purchase the "direct fed Jpole" ready to install.  We offer this BUXCOMM J POL
in two versions;  

A VARIATION ON A THEME:

Let's look first at FIGURE 1a;  This is the overview and profile of the  
J-Pole we will be working with.   There are two different bands we will be 
building the J-Pole antennas for.  NO, we will not build a two band antenna  
on one mast.  I've been there, done that.. and it is an exercise in futility.

For openers, I would like to show you that all J-poles are not created equal.  
By that statement;  I mean, we will modify our construction techniques a bit 
and apply a variation to the theme.  Notice in the exploded view 
at FIGURE 1b, I've deviated from the usual RF feedtechnique that we normally 
use to attach our coaxial cable to the J-pole.

Where we usually attach the shield and center conductor to the tuning stub and the 
driven element with aero-seal (hose) clamps,  here we've made a slight change 
in the design by exchanging the elbow for a tee.    Below the short (1/4 wave tuning stub) 
section, we (carefully) soldered an SO-239 (Chassi-mount) coax (female) connector.

But notice that we must first attach a piece of number 12 or 14   insulated,  copper 
wire to the SO-239.  The length of this wire depends on the spacing between the stub 
and (Fig 1A "D") long section of our antenna.  

If the antenna is for six meters, the wire length will need to be about, 10 to 12 inches long.  
If our antenna is for two meters, the wire length will be less than 8 inches overall.

I am careful when I (Benz-O-Matic torch) solder the SO-239 to the copper tee,  since 
I don't want to heat the SO-239 to the point the solder on the wire melts and I have to 
begin the process again.


Shown above ↑ are our direct feed J-Poles.

For 2 meters (145.000 to 146.000 MHz) the EXACT dimensions are:

	A =  58 inches overall (Long, driven element).
	B =  19.5 Inches
	C =  2 Inches
	D =  1.8 Inches (space)
	

For 6 meters (50.500 to 51.500 MHz) the EXACT dimensions are:

	A =  166-3/4 inches overall (long, driven element).
	B =  58-3/4 inches (short, tuning stub).
	C =  5.5 Inches
	D =  5 inches

USE BUX "VBALUN" withJ-Poles 1 kw VHF Balun,  BUX  VBALUN   $19.95

  > CLICK HERE for on-line CATALOG
Hi-Q, toroid  design, wound with teflon covered, silver wire.  For VHF beams and J-Pole matching applications, and construction. 

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FIGURE 1a

Figure 1b

SAVE TIME BY USING THE HANDY J-Pole CALCULATOR BELOW.
NOTE: Coax center conductor attaches to the "Long section" feed point.
Shield attaches to the short section feed point.

USE BUX "VBALUN" withJ-Poles 1 kw VHF Balun,  BUX  VBALUN   $19.95

  > CLICK HERE for on-line CATALOG
Hi-Q, toroid  design, wound with teflon covered, silver wire.  For VHF beams and J-Pole matching applications, and construction. 

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An adjustable VSWR, 2 meter J-Pole

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BUX VBALUN should be installed at the antenna feed point, or where the coax or feed-line attaches to the J-Pole antenna.  BUX BALUNs are used to connect balanced antennas to unbalanced transmission lines, such as coax cable.  Their primary purpose is to prevent antenna (RF) currents from flowing down the outside of the cable.  Another function of the BUX BALUN41 is to match the impedance of an unbalanced coax to the balanced feed point of a balanced input antenna(s). BUX BALUNS may also be used as �line isolators� anywhere along the cable to prevent the destructive influence of induced RF currents (VSWR).  BUX 1:1 BALUNs are current BALUNs.  They consist of several large, number 73, ferrite type 44 cores. 

 

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CLOSE UP of the alternative coax feed method.
Use BUX VBALUN to couple coaxial cable to J-Pole.

My Hardware J-Poles from 1969

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In the early days of packetRadio, we used this Jpole as an Indoor antenna to
hit the local Packet Nodes (PacketRepeater). Unbelievable performance when
suspended vertically near a window of off the patio. Gain is 4 dbi MOL.

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A=Benz-O-Matic propane torch; B=Lead-Free solder; C=Tape measure: D=Tubing cutter; E=Sharpie marking pen; F=Solder Paste; G=1/2 inch copper caps; H=Hardcopy of the above drawing; I=Wet Towel; J=PreCut, ready to assemble parts of the 2 meter J-Pole.
 

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BUXCOMM J Pole Calculator by BucK4ABT (C) 1992

When using the J pole Calculator below, refer to drawing above for A, B, C, & D.
Center conductor to "Long Element" and Shield to "Short Element."

	Enter Antenna Operating Frequency
	Freq in MHz

A (Long section) dimension is:	feet,	inches,	meters
B (Short section) dimension is:	feet,	inches,	meters
C (Feed point) dimension is:	feet,	inches,	meters
D (Spacing) dimension is:	feet,	inches,	meters

Inside (spacing) dimensions are metal to metal measurements, NOT center to center.

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One is for 144 to 148 mHz (model JPOL2) and the other is for 430-450 mHz (model JPOL4).
Both models are shown in the following illustration:

2 meter version: 144 to 150 mHz (model JPOL2)   > CLICK HERE for on-line CATALOG     70cm version: 430-450 mHz (model JPOL4)   > CLICK HERE for on-line CATALOG

BUX VBALUN De-Coupling transformer Primary use and application: Feed point isolation and matching for J-Poles and VHF/UHF BEAMS. This decoupling transformer prevents RF currents from traveling down the outer shield of the coax. The input connector is an SO239 (female) and the output connector is a PL259 (male). BUX "VBALUN" De-Coupling transformer, has SO-239 (female) input connector.  Output connector is 2 feet RG8X cable with Amphenol PL-259 (male).   BUX VBALUN is an UNbalanced to UNbalance decoupling transformer designed to be used by the Apartment dweller or the RV ops when feeding J-Poles and similar VHF/UHF antennas.  $19.95  VBALUN   > CLICK HERE for on-line CATALOG Teflon �� E I DuPont corp. Amphenol �� TYCO Corp. The "VBALUN" is similar to our BUXUNUN, except constructed for VHF and UHF frequencies.

The object is to eliminate the need to go through all the calculations on another page of this website.

For all type of outdoor antenna connections, BALUNS, Coax connectors, coax bulkhead entry panels and more. Use Coax-Seal� to protect any outdoor connection or connector. Coax-Seal is made of a non-conductive, non-contaminating waterproof material that remains flexible at any temperature from -30� to 180�F. Coax connectors that are not waterproof or have exposed solder joints can weaken from oxidation !  Coax-Seal is superior to electrical tape or vinyl sealants for moisture protection.  Each box of Coax-Seal contains (60 inches x 1/2 inch) five feet and will protect ten (10) connectors. 2.95 Order Code CS104   CLICK HERE to buy COAX SEAL

CAT#, CS104, For all type of outdoor antenna connections, BALUNS, Coax connectors, coax bulkhead entry panels and more.

TEMPERATURE CONTROLLED SOLDERING STATION 50W 350 - 900� F Features : manual temperature setting electronic temperature control power-on LED indication with grounded output Specifications : heater power for soldering iron: 50W temperature variable control: 375-900�F voltage supply: 115VAC weight: 2.65 lbs. dimensions: 7 1/4" x 3 31/32" x 3 1/2" input power: 50VA max. $ 24.90  Order VTSS5   > CLICK HERE for Tools & Solder Stations

The "Windom Antenna" was described by Loren G. Windom in QST magazine, September 1929.  Pages 19 through 22.    Loren Windom, W8GZ, was first to reveal the antenna to the radio amateur community by describing the antenna in the September 1929 issue of QST.  It was by Windom's name that the antenna became known.  The Windom antenna is an off-center fed dipole with an unbalanced coax feedline. In 1937, the Windom was first described as a compromise multiband antenna.  The antenna can be employed on 160, 80, 40, 20 and 10m with considerable, though acceptable levels of VSWR.  What became perhaps the most popular multiband Windom design of all, was the German-made Fritzel FD4 antenna, described by the late Dr. Fritz Spillner1, DJ2KY, in 1971.  It had the same dimensions as the multiband Windom antenna, but fitted with a 200Ω (4:1) balun at its feedpoint and fed with coax. Today, many radio amateurs are using multiband Windom antennas with more than satisfactory results. It would not be without reason that Windom antennas are being employed during IARU HF World Championships! and most of all, by "high-stake-contests."   Perhaps many young hams ignore the multiband Windom antenna because of its sheer simplicity and may be thinking it is too good to be true. The complexity of feeding other dipoles and doublets, the losses in dipoles with traps and the esoteric marketing of some other antennas seem to appeal to them more.

For more J-Pole information, CLICK HERE: