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=51wEe-1IQ. Now that the solar minimum is coming, more radio amateurs are finding the joys and challenges of working the lower HF bands,  such as 40,80, and 160 meters.  One of the major problems working the lower HF bands is getting an efficient, cost effective antenna for these frequencies.  Antennas for 160 meters can be quite large, requiring a good-sized piece of property to accommodate these "skyhooks."  In this video by "AllAmericanFiveRadio", we see Dave and a friend use a variety of approaches in building, launching, and using this large antenna.  Key to the success of this project was the use of a pneumatic weight launcher to place antenna wires near the top of several trees.  The device is quite clever and effective.  In the past, I've used a slingshot and a bow and arrow to launch lower HF band antennas.  This la...

If you can't view this video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51wEd-Wg1IQ. If you have some space and a good amount of tall trees on your property, you may want to build this antenna for your 160 meter operations.  The keys to this project are a decent radial/counterpoise system and an efficient way to launch the long wire element for this antenna.  In this video, Dave ("AllAmericanFiveRadio") uses a pneumatic weight launcher to put the antenna into a tall tree--surely beats a bow and arrow and the slingshot I've used in the past. The video is loaded with many great ideas for designing, building, and using a practical and simple 160 meter antenna.  Be sure to have a good radial ground or counterpoise system to maximize the performance of this antenna. For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please visit these websites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. https://oahuarrlnews.wordpress.com. ht...