Simple Ham Radio Antennas

If you're having trouble viewing this video, please insert this URL into your blog search box: https://youtu.be/Z6ATX29ews.  A well-done and enthusiastic video by Rockwell Schrock as he builds a DIY Buddipole HF Antenna.  The design is based on a pattern developed by Budd Drummond (W3FF).  A complete set of plans for this antenna can be found at:  https://sites.google.com/site/w3ffhom.  I like Rockwell's enthusiasm for homebrewed antennas and his definite "can do" attitude.  The project is perfect for a portable or emergency antenna.  For the latest Amateur Radio new and events, please check out the blog sidebars.  These news feeds are updated regularly.  Thanks for joining us today!  Aloha es 73 de Russ (KH6JRM)...along the Hamakua Coast of Hawaii Island.

If you have trouble viewing this video, please insert this URL into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/XgyH6JQ3XHo.  This short video by Jerry H. Kolins shows you how to make a quick and easy emergency antenna in about 5 minutes.  The outer shield of the coaxial cable becomes the "missing half" of a 1/2 wave dipole antenna.  In effect, you're making a vertical "sleeve" dipole. Due to the lengths involved, you may want to confine such antennas to the 20 meters to 10 meters amateur radio bands.  These antennas also work well for 2 meters.  For the latest Amateur Radio news and events, please check out the blog sidebars. These news feeds are updated daily.  Thanks for joining us today!  Aloha es 73 de Russ (KH6JRM).

If you have difficulty viewing this video, please enter the following URL into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/KbEyvp-0eQY.  Here's an unusual way of getting some decent directivity and gain from a vertical antenna system.  In this homemade video from Bob (W04O), club members used a three-element vertical "half yagi beam antenna " to contact Japan from Kansas City .  Last year I made a three-element vertical yagi on my houselot in the Puna District of Hawaii Island .  The missing half of the yagi is supplied by a ground radio or counterpoise system. In this video, club members are using three S9 Antenna masts to support the vertical elements.  These mast are flexible and can be telescoped down to a fairly short length--perfect for portable and emergency operations.  On my "antenna farm", I used three 16-foot/4.87 meters lengths of schedule 40 PVC pipe to support elements for 15 meters.  The radial system was attached to the shield of ...

. If you have trouble viewing this video, please insert this URL into your blog search box: https://youtu.be/ebAjdBpU5RA.  Good tutorial from "the Casual Citizen" on how to build a "go box" for emergency or portable use.  The convenience of having all of your radio equipment stored safely and easily transportable "just makes sense."  Couple the "go box" with a solar powered 12 volt battery, a portable antenna (such as a BuddyPole),  an antenna transmatch (i.e. "tuner"), and a portable rig (VHF/UHF, HF) and you have a complete ham radio station that can be taken with you.  This would make an excellent weekend project. For the latest Amateur Radio news and events, please check out the blog sidebars.  These news feeds are updated daily.  Thanks for joining us today!  Aloha es 73 de Russ (KH6JRM).

If you're having trouble viewing this video, please insert this URL into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/QHM2tzHiagU. Whether you are studying for the Foundation License or working on your Technician Class Amateur License in the United States, this helpful tutorial on the 40 meter Amateur Radio Band from VK3YE will describe the equipment, antennas, propagation variables, and activities to be found in this popular ham band.  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).

If you're having trouble viewing this video, please insert this URL into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/6cIdrtJINcw. A good, basic tutorial from Tom Stockman (N2RCT) on how to ground your antenna radio tower.  The basic idea is to prevent lightning damage to your equipment by connecting all elements to a single low impedance point.  In addition to grounding your tower, you should also disconnect your amateur radio equipment and all feed lines when you're away from home.  Your antenna feed line should be terminated in a ground stake away from your shack.  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).

HF Multiband vertical antenna selection Please click on this link to read the full article and to get a supplementary data sheet in the pdf. format:  http://www.iw5edi.com/ham-radio/82/hf-multiband-vertical-anenna-selection?utm_campaign=sharaholic. Excellent article that compares five popular commercial HF vertical antennas found in amateur radio stations .  The antennas include: The Cushcraft 128; The HyGain AV-640; The Butternut HF6V; The GAP Titan DX; and the Eco 7+.  You can get an expanded view of the data for each antenna at this URL :  http://www.iw5edi.com/wp-content/upload/2010/03/VerticalAntennaComparison.pdf. The data come from Simone Mannini, IW5EDI, who lives in Firenze, Italy .  He is an active antenna experimenter and has several intriguing antenna designs on his attractive web site. Although these antennas represent some of the best commercial HF verticals around, there are several lower priced vertical antennas by Newtronics/Hustler...

If you're having trouble viewing this video, please insert this URL into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/VY0IkEL0FS0.  Here's an interesting antenna idea from Australia.  In this well done video from "hfradioaustralia", we see a demonstration of the AA125 Broadband HF Folded Dipole Antenna System.  The antenna was first marketed by Bushcom Australia about three years ago and has gained a loyal following. The antenna covers a frequency range of 3 MHz to 17 MHz without the need for an antenna transmatch (i.e. tuner).  If you have some space and a few moderately sized trees, this antenna would be worth trying. I've built a few "homebrewed" folded dipoles for 20 meters and have found them to be good antennas.  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 jo...

Here's neat idea for amateur radio operators forced to use stealth or concealed antennas because of HOAs and CC&Rs in their neighborhoods. Why not try a magnetic loop antenna ?  In this video, "SurvivalTechNord" describes one of the better magnetic loop antennas on the market today--the Chameleon F-Loop Antenna.  In this video tutorial, the operator sets up this small, compact antenna next to his apartment and proceeds to work London, England and Tuscany, Italy with his Yaesu FT-817 running about 5 watts.  He was able to get solid copy over a 2,000 km path between both stations.  The F-Loop seems to be a fine option for operators who don't have the space or desire to use a full sized antenna.  If you have trouble viewing this video, please insert this URL into your browser search box:  https://youtu.be/Ah2HAFZcdtY.  For the latest Amateur Radio news and event, please check out the blog sidebars.  These news feeds are updated daily. ...

If you're having trouble viewing this video, please enter this URL into your browser search box: https ;//youtu.be/WIHOYTkqku8.  Thanks to John Ramosos for this basic tutorial on how to make an antenna for your router and boost your Wi-Fi signal inside your home or business.  John's explanation is clear and easy to follow.  This is a fun project that uses common materials found around the home or at your nearest hardware store.  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 All Wi-Fi is not created equally: BBB issues warning on public Wi-Fi 17.8% CAGR for Global Wi-Fi Market - Forecast to 2020 Five Easy Things You Can Do to Protect Your Personal Data 20 Unmissable Tips for Using Periscope...

If you have trouble viewing this video, please insert the following URL into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/qzFKGB6qkXs.  Steve Ellington (N4LQ) show us a simple, inexpensive way to build and install insulators in ladder line .  Choose your own spacing.  Wire ties should be at least twice the length of the spacer.  Steve uses 11 inch/27.94 cm ties found at Loew 's Stores.  You can also use various types of plastics for the spreaders.  For amateur radio purposes, #14 AWG household wire can be used for each leg of the ladder line. Once you've made the spacers and adjusted the spreaders, you can attach each leg of the ladder line to its respective antenna element.  Feed this combination into a balanced " tuner " and you're ready to go.  If you don't have a balanced "tuner", you can run a short length of 50-ohm coaxial cable from your "tuner" to the 4:1 balun,which will then be connected to the ladder line.  With this arrangeme...

If you're having trouble viewing this video, please enter this URL into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/iKC9zv8XuPs.  Exceptionally well done video by Dave Casler (KE0OG) on how to design, build, and use compromise HF antennas "for less than ideal circumstances."  Dave cites three case studies where homebrewed, concealed antennas helped hams continue their hobby without drawing attention to their installations.  The old saying is true, "A bad antenna is better than no antenna."  With Dave's tips, you can maximize the antenna you do have. You might also try the digital modes, including CW , to keep amateur radio alive in your shack.  Another possibility is using QRP (low power) in conjunction with a magnetic loop antenna or a mobile antenna that can be set up in your backyard or along your porch railing for night time operation.  Good luck!  For the latest Amateur Radio news and events, please check out the blog sidebars.  These n...

If you have trouble viewing this video, please insert this URL into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/pi8ysNBDDBg.  Well-made antenna tutorial by Corey Klumper (N0ECK).  In this video, Corey makes a simple, effective tri-band HF vertical without traps for the 10-15-20 meters amateur radio bands .  He uses a steel shed as a ground plane .  Most of the materials can be found around your home, your shack, or at the nearest hardware or home improvement outlet. The antenna works very well for Corey and it can work for you if you follow his instructions.  The antenna involves a bit of trial and error and some trimming for the best SWR .  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 E...

If you have trouble viewing this article, please insert this URL into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/Hqx3vZ8k7JQ.  Excellent installation video that shows how David Mercado installed a Yaesu ATAS 120A screwdriver antenna with a Comet HD-5M (RS-840) antenna mount on his 2011 Nissan Xterra .  David's rig is a Yaesu FT-857 multiband transceiver.  Nice installation job.  I'm glad David mentioned the importance of grounding the antenna system.  That process can be a bit tricky in modern vehicles with little metal to use as a ground plane . 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 The Yasme Foundation Announces Grants Amateur Radio in Beijing - It's a different world Yasme Founda...

If you have trouble viewing this video, please insert this URL into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/g15xQecyKzQ.  Graham Wells (WE5I) shows us the importance of a ground radial system and how to install a simple wire radial field for his Hustler 4BTV HF Vertical Antenna.  Nice, basic tutorial for those of us using a vertical antenna.  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).

If you're having trouble viewing this video, please insert the following URL into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/nffrrFmf0XE. Here is a simple, effective, and easily assembled 40 meter 1/2 wave dipole antenna from the "NZRadioGuy."  This antenna is sturdy (notice the pvc strain support for the coaxial feed line) and can be used in a variety of amateur radio applications, from home to portable/emergency use.  Most of the materials can be obtained from your junk box or from the nearest hardware or home improvement store.  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).

If you have trouble viewing this video, please insert this URL into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/kGyAveQsf6O.  Excellent antenna installation video from Ontario, Canada, amateur radio operator Tracy (VE3TWM).  Tracy discusses and demonstrates how to install the "HyEndFed 5 Band HF Antenna."  This end-fed multi-band antenna is 75 feet/22.86 meters long and apparently doesn't require a radial ground system.  I guess I'm "old school".  I prefer having a good radial or counterpoise system with any end-fed antenna system.  None the less, Tracy's antenna system seems to work very well and puts almost no strain on his transceivers.  If you have limited real estate, you may want to consider this antenna. 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 joinin...

If you're having trouble viewing this video, please enter this URL into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/AMwRZVi-IOA.  Excellent antenna tutorial from Tom Morton , who shows us how to make a quick, simple, and effective portable or emergency antenna.  Tom's antenna designs are easy to make and perform very well--ideal for portable operations.  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 The Yasme Foundation Announces Grants Software entry wins annual construction competition New Horizons Pluto fly-by on NASA tv | Southgate Amateur Radio News "Molded Electronic Structures in Body-Mountable Devices" in Patent Application Approval Process (PR) NETGEAR Ratchets up Performance of Ne...