I’m trying to build a 2m dipole (my first antenna ever) and tons of tutorials online make it look super easy but I’m measuring an SWR around 2.5 and up across most of the 2m band. Here’s an image of the antenna. Each element is 49 cm which every YouTube video and online calculator seem to indicate is the correct length for 146 MHz. The material of the elements is steel tube, with about 1 cm diameter and 1mm thickness.

Could the material be my problem? The fact it is a tube and not solid like a wire? I have electric continuity through my solder and wires.

I was just surprised that SWR is so high across all of 2m, from 144-148. I was hoping to see an SWR <2 somewhere in the band. Could it be the material I’m leaning my antenna against? Usually the shield end is resting on my carpeted floor when testing and driven element against a wooden table. When holding the antenna in my hand SWR has occasionally jumped to ~1.5 but I can’t seem to get consistent performance and may jump up to 3 when holding it in the air.

As you can tell I am completely new to this…

Any insight you all might have is appreciated as steel pipe is a bit harder to adjust in length…