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=01SePX-NPrw. Now that propagation is favoring the lower HF bands (160, 80, and 40 meters), you may want to design and build an antenna specifically designed for one of those bands.  In this video, "Lockemeister" chose a full-wavelength vertical loop for 80 meters, getting the best SWR on 3.913 MHz.  He can cover most of the band with his MFJ-Versa II antenna "tuner."  Fortunately, Lockemeister had a sufficiently large yard to contain this antenna.  A full-wavelength loop makes an excellent NVIS (near vertical incident skywave) antenna capable of reaching out to approximately 300 miles/486 km on 80 meters--perfect for working local, state, and regional contacts.  Multiband coverage is possible by feeding the antenna with 450 ohm ladder line, 300 ohm television twin lead, or 600 ohm balanced line in conjunction with a 4:1 balun and an anten...

If you can't view this video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1SePX-NPrw. With propagation now favoring the lower HF bands (160 meters through 40 meters), you may want to make a simple, effective antenna for the 80 meter band which will deliver good daytime regional performance as well as some good night time contacts. In this video, "Lockemeister" shows us one of his experimental vertical loops for 80 meters.  You can get acceptable 80 meter performance with a 50 ohm coaxial cable feed line and an antenna transmatch (i.e. "tuner").  To cut down on RF feedback and SWR losses, you may want to attach a 4:1 balun to the feed line just before it enters your "tuner".  Another suggestion would be to feed the antenna with 300 ohm television twin lead or 450 ohm ladder line connected to a 4:1 balun before it runs into your "tuner".  This will give your loop antenna multiband capabilit...