What is the approximate length, in inches, of a half-wavelength 6 meter dipole antenna?
6
6 inches is not correct because it is far too short for a half-wavelength antenna in the 6-meter band.
50
50 inches is not correct because it is still shorter than the necessary length for a half-wavelength antenna in the 6-meter band.
112
112 inches is correct as it closely matches the calculated ideal length of a half-wavelength dipole for the 6-meter band.
236
236 inches is not correct as it is excessively longer than the necessary length for a half-wavelength antenna in the 6-meter band.
Explanation
This question asks about the approximate length of a half-wavelength dipole antenna specifically for the 6-meter band. To determine the length, we first need to understand the relationship between wavelength and frequency.
The formula to find the wavelength ($latex \lambda $) is:
$latex \lambda = \frac{300}{\text{frequency in MHz}} $
For the 6-meter band, the frequency is approximately 50 MHz. Therefore,
$latex \lambda = \frac{300}{50} = 6 , \text{meters} $
A dipole antenna is typically a half-wavelength in total length, so we must divide this wavelength by 2:
$latex 6 , \text{meters} \times \frac{1}{2} = 3 , \text{meters} $
Since 1 meter is approximately 39.37 inches,
$latex 3 , \text{meters} \times 39.37 , \text{inches/meter} $
which approximately equals 118 inches. The closest answer to this is 112 inches, making option 2 the most accurate.
Understanding antenna length is critical in amateur radio as it affects the efficiency and effectiveness of transmissions. A correctly sized antenna ensures better signal strength and clarity.
T9A09 2022-2026