Simple Ham Radio Antennas

If you can't view this video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U44aXzD2LB4. HF random wire antennas can work very well as portable or emergency antennas if you pay attention to some of their limitations.  In this video, WD0AKX experiments with a random length antenna in his back yard.  Coupled with the internal antenna "tuner" of his Elecraft KX3 and a simple ground radial system, he found the easily made wire antenna produced several good contacts. WD0AKX supplies a few helpful links, including one which suggests workable antenna lengths for random wires (http://udel.edu/~mm/ham/randomWire/). For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please visit these websites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. https://oahuarrlnews.wordpress.com. https://bigislandarrlnews.wordpress.com. http://www.kh6jrm.info (breaking news for radio amateurs). Other sites of interest: http://hawaiisciencedigest.com (scienc...

IoTuesday: WiFi Maximizer with DIY Yagi-Uda Antenna (https://www.sparkfun.com/news/2342). Accessed on 30 March 2017, 20:10 hrs, UTC . Author:  ShawnHymel. Please click link or enter title URL into your browser search box to read the full article. Comment: The www.sparkfun.com website is a fascinating place for electronics experimenters.  In this article, we see how a few simple parts and scrap material can be used to create a 2.4 Ghz antenna for boosting the signal of your IoT (Internet of Things) devices in your home or ham shack .  This simple antenna can also be used for "fox hunting" and other RF direction finding events.  The antenna exhibits a real world gain of about 6 dBi, making it a worthwhile addition to your shack's equipment.  The article is supported with appropriate photos and graphs. For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please check out these websites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. https://oahuarrlnews.wordpress.c...

Compact Multi-band Field Day Antenna (http://www.nc4fb.org/wordpress/compact-multiband-field-day-antenna-80-10-meters/). Accessed on 29 March 2017, 23:25 hrs, UTC . Author:  NC4FB. Please click link or enter title URL into your browser search box to read the full article. Comment: As the ARRL 2017 Field Day approaches (24-25 June 2017), I'll be sharing some of the fascinating portable antennas that could be used during this nation-wide emergency communications exercise.  Thousands of radio amateurs in the United States and Canada will be searching for contacts using portable and emergency ham radio stations.  A key element of this exercise is the antenna, which can take a variety of forms, depending on the location and materials available. In this article from NC4FB, we learn about a simple, easily-constructed multiband HF antenna that will serve you well on several amateur radio bands. NC4FB patterns this antenna after an original design from G7FEK. ...

If you can't view this video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uymwEzqgVAc. The ARRL 2017 Field Day is set for Saturday and Sunday, 24-25 June 2017. Thousands of radio amateur from Canada and the United States will be trying to make contacts world wide in one of the largest emergency communications exercises of the year. All kinds of antennas will be used to "heat the ether" this year, ranging from simple dipoles and verticals to multi-element arrays and unconventional radiators such as magnetic and full-wave loops. If you're in an experimental frame of mind, you may want to use a magnetic loop antenna as portrayed in this short video by Craig ("VideosByDPF").  Craig used the Chameleon Hybrid Mini and the P-Loop magnetic loop antennas with his ICOM -7200 transceiver.  Despite the rather poor conditions in June of 2016, Craig did get some interesting contacts.  Perhaps a homemade loop...

If you can't view this video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9th_JBfMIk. An exceptionally made and clearly explained tutorial from Julian (OH8STN) on how to install and use a remotely controlled  Chameleon F-LOOP magnetic loop antenna in deed-restricted housing.  In this video, Julian successfully installs this popular magnetic loop antenna in a garage and in a loft (attic).  Julian made this video for a radio amateur in Ukraine who wanted a small, stealthy antenna for his home.  Julian says the coverage from this compromised antenna is surprisingly good given its size.  A magnetic loop can also be used for portable and emergency use. For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please visit these websites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. https://oahuarrlnews.wordpress.com. https://bigislandarrlnews.wordpress.com. http://www.kh6jrm.info (breaking news for radio amateurs). Other sites of...

If you can't view this video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6vBna3bhfU. This is post #1082 in a continuing series on "Simple Ham Radio Antennas." For those of you interesting in experimental antenna designs, you may want to build Kevin Loughin's D loop directional half magnetic loop transmitting antenna.  Kevin says he got the idea for this unusual antenna from his research into NVIS (near vertical incident skywave ) antenna systems used by the military. Kevin decided to rotate the design vertically and "make a directional magnetic loop."  Kevin says the antenna works "surprisingly well."  The antenna resembles the once popular DDDR antenna described in older editions of the " ARRL Antenna Book." For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please visit these websites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. https://oahuarrlnews.wordpress.com. https://bigislandarrl...

WB3GCK's Field Day Antenna Inverted L (80M-10M) (http://www.qsl.net/wb3gcl/inverted_l.html). Accessed on 25 March 2017, 21:25 hrs, UTC . Author:  Graig A. LaBarge (WB3GCK). Please click link or insert the title URL into your browser search box to read the full article. Comment: Here's another great ARRL Field Day antenna that is simple, portable, and inexpensive.  This easily-made inverted L from Craig (WB3 GCK) will get you on the air quickly with a decent signal covering the 80 meter through 10 meter Amateur Radio bands . Constructing this classic antenna is fairly easy, with most materials available at the nearest hardware or building supply store.  In this case, Craig's antenna uses a 26-foot/7.826 meter Jackite pole to support the vertical section of the antenna, while a convenient tree limb supports the 27-foot/8.231 meter horizontal element.  Craig uses four ground radials, 2 measuring 16-feet/4.878 meters and 2 measuring 32-feet/9.756 meters. ...