Top loaded HF Vertical Antenna with ground tuning unit.


 

Here's another fascinating HF vertical antenna from Australian radio amateur Peter Parker (VK3YE).

In this video we see how short HF vertical antenna can get a performance boost with a bit of top loading and a decent ground plane.

In Peter's case, the ground component was enhanced by its proximity to a nearby expanse of ocean water...there's nothing quite like salt water for improving the performance of an HF vertical antenna.

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7lxt8EatDw.

Thanks for joining us today.

Aloha es 73 de Russ (KH6JRM).

Here are some comments from Peter (VK3YE):

Don't have much height but have something metal underneath? If so a top loaded vertical is a great antenna to try. Just 10 metres wide and 5 metres tall it will even load up on 3.5 MHz. Especially if you're over salt water, you're unlikely to get anything better for its size. The key items needed include wire, two poles, a simple antenna coupler (an L-match is fine), something to clip onto the counterpoise railing and a ground tuning unit. I'll probably describe a more refined version later but it comprises a variable capacitor in series with an inductor. It's also desirable to have an RF current indicator. PS: If you liked this video please consider supporting Amateur Radio VK3YE by: * Subscribing on YouTube, * Checking my books page at https://books.vk3ye.com * Shopping on Amazon via: https://amzn.to/3iiDQXv, or * Shopping on eBay via: https://ebay.us/i9DuWP (then if you buy something I'll get a small commission at no cost to you)

Follow along using the transcript.

Amateur Radio VK3YE

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Thank you for visiting my Amateur Radio Blog. I value your comments and suggestions. For Amateur Radio Antenna Topics and Discussions, stay here. For Amateur Radio News and Trends, please visit my news site at https://bigislandarrlnews.com.
Aloha es 73 de Russ (KH6JRM).

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