u/Limp_Reputation471

Hi all, I'm trying to build some sleeve dipole antennas for LoRa. I have nanovna and have calibrated it with a rg58 coaxial cable (which I'm also using for their antennas). I have measured and I think I'm using the correct dimensions for the sleeve (79mm length) and conductor (started with 86mm and kept shortening it to hit the sweet spot of 868mhz). The issue is that I'm not getting the expected results. I get different reading on nanovna when i hold it in the air, leave it on the table, or pinch the sleeve. Pinching the sleeve seems like it's showing the correct reading, but I just can't seem to make it work otherwise. I know I'm doing something wrong but I don't know what. Please help.