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=HzWfeQVdtzY. In this video from Stan Gibilisco (W1GV), we learn a few new things about coax-fed dipole antennas and open-wire-fed zepp antennas.  Both of these "classic" HF antennas perform well if we pay attention to the peculiarities of each antenna. While coax-fed HF dipole antennas are simple and easy to build, the zepp or "Zeppelin Antenna" is a tricky "beast" that can prove frustrating to design, tune, and use. Stan offers some useful suggestions on designing and building these antennas, so that your efforts will succeed without problems.  An interesting look at two different HF antennas that can serve you well in the years ahead. For more antenna articles from Stan, please visit:  http://www.sciencewriter.net. For the latest Amateur/Ham Radio news and information, please visit these websites: http://www.HawaiiARR...

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzWfeQVdtzY In this video, Stan Gibilisco (W1GV) explains some of the quirks found in two popular HF amateur/ham radio antennas--the coax fed dipole and the zepp. Although the title of this post is somewhat sarcastic, the basic theory, construction, and operation behind the common dipole and zepp antenna are sound and easily grasped.  Stan pays particular attention to how these antennas are fed and what to expect from voltage and current fed antennas.  These topics are important if you wish to reduce SWR and avoid problems associated with a mismatched antenna system. For the latest Amateur/Ham Radio news and information, please visit these web sites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. http://www.arrl.org. http://www.arrl.org/arrl-audio-news (a weekly podcast which is updated each Friday afternoon). https://oahuarrlnews.wordpress.com. https://hamradiohaw...

If you can't view this video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzWfeQVdtzY. In this video, Stan Gibilisco (W1GV) offers a brief tutorial on two HF antennas which have been with Amateur Radio since the dawn of the technology.  Stan calls these antennas "goofy" because they appear to work when common wisdom says they won't. The first antenna is the familiar dipole antenna, which consists of two 1/4 wave length horizontal elements fed in the middle with unbalanced coaxial cable.  The theoretical impedance of the horizontal 1/2 wavelength dipole is around 73 ohms (this will vary depending how close the dipole is above ground level). Even though there is a small mismatch between the impedance of the dipole and the 50 ohm coaxial cable feedline (around 1:4 to 1), the antenna will perform well on its designed band of operation.  To get multiband use from this antenna, just connect balanced feedline (450 ohm lad...