Simple Ham Radio Antennas

If you have trouble viewing this video, please insert this URL into your browser search box:  https://youtu.be/ImCM1notTfg.  A well organized and presented video tutorial, review, and demonstration of the MFJ -939 automatic antenna tuner by HamRadioConcepts.  The author shows you some of the "cool" features of this fairly new "tuner", describes what comes with the device, and demonstrates some of its capabilities on his own HF transceiver.  The MFJ-939 is available from http://www.gigaparts.com for $159.95.  This looks like a good piece of equipment for a fair price.  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 em-mail subscription or by tapping into the blog RSS feed.  Thanks for joining us today!  Aloha es 73 de Russ (KH6JRM). Related articles ARRL Field Day 2015 - a medium wave and long wave demonstrati...

I hope you had an enjoyable Field Day experience. I found this interesting 2015 Field Day Clip from the Blackstone Valley Amateur Radio Club (W1DDD).  I sure the lantern helped with logging chores and probably attracted a bunch of insects to this state of Maine location.  I enjoyed my brief time with the Big Island Amateur Radio Club in Hilo, Hawaii, as club members ran an old Yaesu-857D in class 1A.  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.  If you have trouble viewing this short video, please insert this URL into your browser search box:  https://youtu.be/kY-1S4y8Lj8.  Thanks for joining us today!  Aloha es 73 de Russ (KH6JRM).

If you have trouble viewing this video, please insert the following URL into your browser seach box: https://youtu.be/p3Jv3cdaV2w. Steven (N4KTZ) presents a well-produced and easy to understand video tutorial on how Amateur Radio repeaters work. Steven discusses direct/simplex communications vs repeater communications and how a repeater receives and sends transmissions. Nicely done video. 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. Thanks for joining us today! Aloha es 73 de Russ (KH6JRM).

Global Ham Radio Event Starts Tomorrow – Hawaii Blog : Global Ham Radio Event Starts Tomorrow BY RYAN OZAWA  JUNE 25, 2015 The biggest community outreach and emergency planningeventamong amateur radio operators is coming this weekend. Field Dayis an educational and disaster preparedness exercise conducted by ham radio fans around the world. And in Honolulu , Field Day 2015will runfrom tomorrow morning through Sunday morning at Kualoa Regional Park . It’s being jointlyorganized by the Emergency Amateur Radio Club (of which I am a sporadic member) and the Koolau Amateur Radio Club. It’s the second year the two clubs have joined forces, with the EARC headed north. My first Field Day with the EARC in 2012 was at the University of Hawaii, and they set up at Bellows Air Force Station in 2013. I won’t lie, the core group of amateur radio operators is pretty hard core. They take the disaster preparedness angle of Field Day seriously, camping on site and operating purely o...

If you have trouble viewing this video, please enter this URL into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/_k17koC2fEY. The Solarcon I-Max 2000 vertical antenna and its close cousin, the Antron 99 (A99), have served CB operators and 10 meter Amateur Radio operators for years.  The Solarcon I-Max 2000, used in conjunction with an antenna transmatch ("tuner"), can be used on the 10, 12, 15, 17, 30, and even 6 meter Amateur Radio Bands.  This video does an good job of explaning how to assemble, install, and use this versatile vertical antenna.  As with any vertical antenna, be sure to use a ground radial or counterpoise system.  My old Antron 99 remains in service as a standby 10 meter antenna and for CB contacts with my neighbors in my rural Hawaii Island subdivision.  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 subscripti...

The 2015 ARRL Field Day is this weekend (27-28 June 2015) and thousands of amateur radio operators will be setting up portable ham stations to practice emergency communications skills. I've found several videos of well-organized amateur radio clubs which show how a Field Day Site should be organized and managed. This video clip from Christopher (VE7ALB) is a good example of a radio club working together to get the best signals possible from their temporary location. This video was taken on 28 June 2014 at the Field Day site of the West Coast Amateur Radio Association in Victoria, British Columbia .  If you have trouble viewing this clip, please insert this URL into your browser search box:  http://youtu.be/N-DLoFWZwxA.  Christopher does an excellent job of capturing the spirit and mood of this Field Day Site.  For the latest Amateur Radio news and events, please check out the blog sidebars.  These news feeds are updated daily.  You can follow our...

Thanks to John Gay, you can now get a free download of Joseph Carr 's "Antenna Toolkit, Second Edition."  I have a print version of this useful and extensive reference volume. Carr , a well-known electronics and amateur radio author for over 50 years, has assembled an easy to understand and practical handbook of antenna theory , design, and construction. The print version contains some useful CD software, which the downloaded version doesn't have. None the less, the downloaded version is still worth having because of Carr's excellent presentation and useful diagrams, photos, and schematics.  You can get a free download of this "antenna toolkit" by visiting:  http://tinyurl.com/ob4w7qm.  A print version with all of the CD software is available from Amazon.com.  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 ...

Well-done video tutorial on a basic problem many of us face when we repair older or vintage radios--this jammed up or immovable telescoping FM/shortwave antenna. In this simple video tutorial, Matt shows us several ways to "unstick" small radio or television set telescoping antennas without damaging the antenna or the receiver in the process.  This video will come in handy for those who enjoy restoring vintage commercial or amateur radio gear.  I tried some of Matt's suggestions on an old Micronta (Radio Shack) VHF weather band radio.  I managed to salvage the antenna with out any damage.  The old weather band radio has been returned to service in my radio room.  For the latest Amateur Radio news and events, please check out the blog sidebars.  These news feeds are update daily.  You can follow our blog community with a free e-mail subscription or by tapping into the blog RSS feed.  Thanks for joining us today!  Aloha es 73 de Russ (KH6JR...

If you have trouble viewing this video, please enter the following URL into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/WQLpT1m4ZK8. A good, basic tutorial from Andre Fourier on how coaxial cable affects antenna performance. The main points are pretty simple:  choose a quality brand of coaxial cable, use "decent", well made connectors, and check for cable loss.  Use the best coaxial cable you can afford from a reputable dealer.  This is another case of getting what you pay for.  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.  Thanks for joining us today!  Aloha es 73 de Russ (KH6JRM). Related articles Today in Computational Necromancy: This maniac built a 10base5 Thick Ethernet network. In this century. Question about Comcast Business Retro Edition: The LAN Bef...

A MF and LW demonstration / outreach opportunity during ARRL Field Day 2015 : A MF and LW demonstration / outreach opportunity during ARRL Field Day 2015 Greetings! Several amateurs with Part 5 experimental licenses will be transmitting Field Day greetings on medium wave and long wave throughout the ARRL's Field Day, June 27 and 28. These station include but are not limited to: Callsign State kHz Mode ERP Amateur Call sign EAR Canada 188.83 QRSS30 VE3EAR WG2XKA VT 472.5 CW 1W WA3ETD WG2XJM PA 473 CW 20-30W NO3M WH2XND AZ 473.5 CW 5-7W NI7J WG2XIQ TX 474 CW 5-7W KB5NJD WD2XSH/20 OR 475 CW 20W N6LF WG2XSV WA 475.5 CW 1W W0YSE WG2XXM OK 474.2 1510Hz WSPR2 5W K5DNL WH2XRR MD 476 CW .025W N3CXV WH2XHY WI 476.5 CW 1W WD8DAS WE2XPQ AK 478 CW 25W KL7L WA2XRM CO 480 CW .5W W0RW Updates will be posted at http://njdtechnologies.net/mf-and-lf-demonstration-opportunity-for-arrl-field-day-2015-the-field-day-greetings/ Stations at Field Day sites are encouraged to ...

If you have trouble viewing this short video, please enter this URL in your browser search box: https://youtu.be/WaQ9HWgYNPI.  There are times when you need an extra copy of your Amateur Radio License.  It's always a good idea to post a copy of your license in your log books, to carry a copy with you when you work at an ARRL Field Day event, or take a shift at a special event station.  I always carry a copy of my Amateur Radio License in my wallet, in case I'm stopped by a police officer or need access to an emergency shelter where I'm assigned a shift at the temporary ham stations on the premises.  In this well-produced video by Dan Vanevenhoven, you'll learn just how simple it is to get an extra copy of your Amateur Radio License.  If you prefer "an official FCC" copy of your license to post at home or even to carry with you, you can visit the FCC's ULS page under Amateur Radio and order an "official" copy with all the appropriate FCC markin...

If you have trouble viewing this video, please insert this URL into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/bNIR7Kyt-bs. The Alpha EZ Military Antenna is a handy portable antenna that covers the 80 meter to 6 meter amateur radio bands. In this video, Mike show us how well the antenna works on 6 meters from his condominium apartment--a real challenge often faced by those living in HOA/CC&R situations.  Of course, the new Kenwood TS-590SG is a big help in this restrictive environment.  None the less, the Alpha EZ performs well, given the circumstances.  You may want to try one of these antennas in your radio room.  At least, you'll be able to get on the air.  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.  Thanks for joining us today!  Aloha es 73 de Russ (KH6J...

If you have trouble viewing this video, please insert this URL into your browser search box:  https://youtu.be/psUdNEfDIc4. Here's another clever way to erect an antenna in HOA/CC&R restricted zones.  "Supra 2424" use a LDG S9v31 vertical antenna with 24 ground radials made from CAT 5 cabling.  He has painted the antenna a dark green , so it remains fairly invisible.  He also lowers the mast when he's done operating and knows when HOA inspectors will be making their rounds.  The arrangement works fairly well and, so far, it has not been found.  The only weak point in the system is concealment while the green mast is on the ground. Suspicious inspectors may believe what's on the groun can be up in the air, and, therefore, a violation of the rules.  Otherwise, the antenna system seems safe for the moment. An excellent antenna arrangement for these troubled times.  For the latest Amateur Radio news and events, please check out the blog sid...