How to Make a Ham Radio Speaker Wire Antenna. Post #1596.
If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqh0Ntus5G0. If you need a simple, efficient, cheap, and lightweight antenna for portable or field operations, the "HQD" Speaker Wire Antenna from Jerry (KG6HQD) may be the answer. The antenna resembles several designs featured in past editions of the "ARRL Antenna Book." Those examples used commonly available "zip cord" available at many hardware and home improvement outlets. Jerry shows us how to build the antenna in a few simple steps. Used with an antenna transmatch (i.e. "tuner"), the antenna is capable of multiband operation--something that should appeal to SOTA (Summits on the Air) and QRP (low power) enthusiasts. Based on research conducted by the ARRL and my own experience, these antennas provide excellent results on the lower HF bands (80/40 meters). Higher HF bands may suffer significant losses, depen