Simple Ham Radio Antennas

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEDneotW3ko With the ARRL Field Day rapidly approaching (last full weekend of June), it may be time to consider what antennas will be used in this annual emergency field communications exercise and contest.  Now that propagation is favoring the lower HF bands (40, 80, 160 meters), you may want to consider a specific antenna for each band.  In this Field Day video from 2016, "Ham Prepper" shows us how his club solved the height issue on 160 meters with a balloon-supported 1/4 wavelength antenna. After some preplanning and the collection of a skilled crew, the balloon-assisted antenna was launched successfully.  This somewhat unusual antenna produced good contacts for the club and helped boost its overall score. Make a few experimental HF antennas, test them in a nearby park or field, and prepare for some fun at the end of June. For the latest

If you can't see this video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEDneotW3ko. Here's an interesting antenna idea for those seeking a good 160 meter antenna for the upcoming ARRL Field Day in late June 2018.  How about using a balloon-supported 1/4 wavelength antenna for "The Gentlemen's Band?"  Be sure to plan ahead and check with your local airport to make sure your balloon-supported antenna doesn't present a threat to low-flying aircraft.  According to the "Ham Prepper" team, this balloon-supported antenna did very well that weekend two years ago. For the latest Amateur/Ham Radio news and information, please visit these websites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. http://www.arrl.org. http://www.arrl.org/arrl-audio-news (a weekly podcast which is updated each Friday afternoon). http://hamradiohawaii.wordpress.com. https://bigislandarrlnews.com. https://amateurradionewsinformation.com (

If you can't view this video, please enter this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEDneotW3ko. Here's an interesting, if somewhat complicated antenna worth trying for Field Days or any portable operation dedicated to the 160 meter Amateur Radio Band. In this video from "HAMPREPPER.COM", we see how a few friends prepare a set of helium balloons to support a full 1/4 wavelength 160 meter antenna (around 135 feet/41.158 meters).  This project will take some coordination and excellent weather to make this antenna work.  With propagation favoring the 160, 80, and 40 meter bands this year, you may want to consider a balloon-supported antenna for Field Day, which happens on 24-25 June 2017. For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please visit these web sites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. https://oahuarrlnews.wordpress.com. https://bigislandarrlnews.wordpress.com (becomes https://bigislandarrlnews.com on 25 June 2017