Such an antenna was developed for professional communication, but then it became popular among radio amateurs.

Depending on the length of the structure, such an antenna can operate in the frequency range up to 2 – 30 MHz, that is, in almost the entire HF range. In this case, any tuning of the antenna to the frequency is not required, it works the same in the entire frequency range.

T2FD antennas are available in various lengths. The most popular lengths are 28 m (regular) and 14 m (short). But there are other lengths as well. The T2FD antenna is 28 m long and operates in the frequency range from 3 to 30 MHz, covering all shortwave amateur bands except 160 m.

But there is also an extended version of the antenna with a length of 56 m. Such an antenna is slightly less popular among amateurs due to its large size. But thanks to its size, it covers the entire HF range and allows you to work both for reception and transmission in all amateur bands.

The efficiency of such antennas is slightly lower than that of resonant dipoles. But on the other hand, a very wide frequency band, the absence of the need to adjust the antenna make it irreplaceable in many cases.

The antenna operates in a wide frequency range (swr is often 1: 5) without pronounced directivity (almost circular directional pattern). The gain of the T2FD antenna practically corresponds to a half-wave dipole (at low frequencies it loses to the dipole). However, the T2FD chart is more extended upwards. It should also be borne in mind that the radiation pattern changes with frequency and at higher frequencies is similar to a flower, but still, most of the radiation is directed upward. It is this fact that makes the T2FT antenna unsuitable for DX, although it does not exclude the possibility itself, since some of the petals are directed at a low angle to the horizon.

Dimensions A and B both vary, depending on the frequency range needed and the need to match the antenna to the terminating resistance correctly. Typical values for the length, A, are between 20 and 26m. The amount of spread, B, ranges far more widely – between 0.4m and 3m. A number of sources provide a formula to work out A and B.

A is typically put at around 100/f metres, where f is the frequency of the lowest band of operation in MHz.

B is sometimes put at about 3/f metres, although both B&W and Buxcomm seem to use a value of about 1.66/f

For operation from 80m upwards (based on a mid-band frequency of 3.65MHz)

A = 100/3.65 = 27.4m and

B = 3/3.65 = 0.8m 

Balun 1:4

R1 – 330 ohm

Advantages of the T2FD antenna

1. Easy to manufacture.
2. Wide-range. Works in the entire range of operating frequencies.
3. Requires relatively little space and low suspension height.
4. Does not require a separate mast, can be hung from the house.
5. Good signal-to-noise ratio at reception.
6. Almost omnidirectional in the horizontal plane.
7. Does not require an antenna tuner when using 1:4 balun.

Disadvantages of T2FD antenna

1. Low efficiency. Part of the power supplied to the antenna is spent on heating the load resistance.
2. Most of the radiation is directed upward. Bad for DX.

Considering the advantages and disadvantages, it must be admitted that this antenna is “limited in capacity” when the radio amateur does not have enough space, a mast or other restrictions. Therefore, it is mainly used as a broadband receiving antenna and for local radio communications.