Simple Ham Radio Antennas--Water's Edge Portable DX: A half square antenna on 14 MHz. Post #403.

Well-produced video by Peter (VK3YE) on how to build a simple, effective, and portable half square antenna for the 20 meter Amateur Radio Band. Back in August, 2013, I described a similar antenna at a home I was remodeling in the Puna District (12 August 2013, Post #220). Although my half square worked very well, it wasn't as simple or as portable as Peter's design. Peter's antenna can be built with locally made materials from the nearest hardware store or home improvement outlet. In Peter's words, the half square antenna for 14 MHz comprises "a wavelength of wire bent into an inverted U. The half square over a good ground can radiate a low angle signal suitable for distant HF contacts. Construction is simple. Just take 22 meters of wire (72.16 feet) and string it up on two poles 11 meters (36 feet) apart, with equal lengths hanging down. Connect one to a coupler and load it against a counterpoise wire(s)." The antenna pattern is broadside to the half square and should give you a little more than 3dB gain. Peter has had excellent results with this antenna using a Yaesu-817 as his main portable rig. You can also design the antenna for any Amateur Radio band from 160 to 10 meters. Because of the length of wire required for the half square, most hams use this antenna for the higher bands (20 to 10 meters). This is an excellent antenna for both home and portable use. For the latest Amateur Radio news and events, please check out the blog sidebars. These news feeds are updated daily. You can follow our blog community with a free e-mail subscription or by tapping into the blog RSS feed. Aloha es 73 de Russ (KH6JRM). KH6JRM's Amateur Radio Antenna Topics.