Dipole Antenna Calculator — Partisan Comms Group

Guides & How-Tos

A simple half-wave dipole is one of the most useful antennas an amateur radio operator can build. This calculator provides approximate starting lengths for a center-fed dipole based on the operating frequency. Final trimming and tuning may still be required based on installation height, wire type, feedline, nearby objects, and local ground conditions.

Safety Warning: Never install antennas near power lines. Maintain safe distance from overhead electrical service, utility poles, and energized conductors. If you are unsure whether an installation location is safe, choose another location.

Half-Wave Dipole — Center-Fed

Calculate Wire Length

Frequency in MHz

Reference

Common Amateur Band Starting Lengths

160 Meters

Frequency (MHz)	Total Length (ft)	Each Leg (ft)	Total (ft/in)	Each Leg (ft/in)
1.800	260.00	130.00	260 ft 0 in	130 ft 0 in
1.900	246.32	123.16	246 ft 4 in	123 ft 2 in
2.000	234.00	117.00	234 ft 0 in	117 ft 0 in

80 Meters

Frequency (MHz)	Total Length (ft)	Each Leg (ft)	Total (ft/in)	Each Leg (ft/in)
3.500	133.71	66.86	133 ft 9 in	66 ft 10 in
3.600	130.00	65.00	130 ft 0 in	65 ft 0 in
3.700	126.49	63.24	126 ft 6 in	63 ft 3 in
3.800	123.16	61.58	123 ft 2 in	61 ft 7 in
3.900	120.00	60.00	120 ft 0 in	60 ft 0 in
4.000	117.00	58.50	117 ft 0 in	58 ft 6 in

60 Meters

Frequency (MHz)	Total Length (ft)	Each Leg (ft)	Total (ft/in)	Each Leg (ft/in)
5.331	87.79	43.90	87 ft 9 in	43 ft 11 in
5.347	87.53	43.77	87 ft 6 in	43 ft 9 in
5.367	87.20	43.60	87 ft 2 in	43 ft 7 in
5.371	87.14	43.57	87 ft 2 in	43 ft 7 in
5.404	86.60	43.30	86 ft 7 in	43 ft 4 in

40 Meters

Frequency (MHz)	Total Length (ft)	Each Leg (ft)	Total (ft/in)	Each Leg (ft/in)
7.000	66.86	33.43	66 ft 10 in	33 ft 5 in
7.100	65.92	32.96	65 ft 11 in	33 ft 0 in
7.150	65.45	32.73	65 ft 5 in	32 ft 9 in
7.200	65.00	32.50	65 ft 0 in	32 ft 6 in
7.300	64.11	32.05	64 ft 1 in	32 ft 1 in

30 Meters

Frequency (MHz)	Total Length (ft)	Each Leg (ft)	Total (ft/in)	Each Leg (ft/in)
10.100	46.34	23.17	46 ft 4 in	23 ft 2 in
10.150	46.11	23.05	46 ft 1 in	23 ft 1 in

20 Meters

Frequency (MHz)	Total Length (ft)	Each Leg (ft)	Total (ft/in)	Each Leg (ft/in)
14.000	33.43	16.71	33 ft 5 in	16 ft 9 in
14.100	33.19	16.60	33 ft 2 in	16 ft 7 in
14.200	32.96	16.48	33 ft 0 in	16 ft 6 in
14.300	32.73	16.36	32 ft 9 in	16 ft 4 in

17 Meters

Frequency (MHz)	Total Length (ft)	Each Leg (ft)	Total (ft/in)	Each Leg (ft/in)
18.068	25.90	12.95	25 ft 11 in	12 ft 11 in
18.130	25.81	12.91	25 ft 10 in	12 ft 11 in

15 Meters

Frequency (MHz)	Total Length (ft)	Each Leg (ft)	Total (ft/in)	Each Leg (ft/in)
21.000	22.29	11.14	22 ft 3 in	11 ft 2 in
21.100	22.18	11.09	22 ft 2 in	11 ft 1 in
21.200	22.08	11.04	22 ft 1 in	11 ft 0 in
21.300	21.97	10.99	22 ft 0 in	11 ft 0 in

12 Meters

Frequency (MHz)	Total Length (ft)	Each Leg (ft)	Total (ft/in)	Each Leg (ft/in)
24.890	18.80	9.40	18 ft 10 in	9 ft 5 in
24.950	18.76	9.38	18 ft 9 in	9 ft 5 in

10 Meters

Frequency (MHz)	Total Length (ft)	Each Leg (ft)	Total (ft/in)	Each Leg (ft/in)
28.000	16.71	8.36	16 ft 9 in	8 ft 4 in
28.500	16.42	8.21	16 ft 5 in	8 ft 3 in
29.000	16.14	8.07	16 ft 2 in	8 ft 1 in
29.500	15.86	7.93	15 ft 10 in	7 ft 11 in

Important Notes

—These are starting dimensions, not final tuned dimensions.
—Antenna height, wire diameter, insulation, nearby objects, and ground conditions can affect resonance.
—A 1:1 current balun or choke at the feed point may help reduce common-mode current on the feedline.
—Trim the antenna gradually and test as you go.
—Keep antennas away from power lines and unsafe installation locations.