Simple Ham Radio Antennas

Thanks to Australian radio amateur Peter Parker (VK3YE) for this simple, effective vertical antenna for the 6 meter Amateur Radio band. All you need are a few basic tools, a fiberglass mast, and 3 meters/9.84 feet of wire to get on the air. If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_QpIpW8dR0 This is post 2768 in a continuing series of simple ham radio antennas. Here are some comments from Peter: Don't have an antenna for 50 MHz? Many people don't. Here's a quick half wavelength vertical that will get you on 50 MHz in no time. All you need is 3 m of wire (for the element), a support pole, a variable capacitor that goes up to about 60 pF (a lesser maximum like 20 pF would also be OK), a short section of 9mm dowelling and some extra wire for the coil and radial. I tested it on WSPR with VK3II 50km away as receiving. I was a similar strength to VK3DXE who is nearby and running similar power.

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_QpIpW8dR0 This is post 2504 in a continuing series of simple ham radio antennas. Thanks to Australian radio amatuer Peter Parker (VK3YE) for this simple, effective halfwave vertical antenna for 6 meters. Exploring the "Magic Band" with basic antennas can be a lot of fun.  The cost is moderate and materials are readily available for the antenna experimenter. Here are some of Peter's observations: Don't have an antenna for 50 MHz? Many people don't. Here's a quick half wavelength vertical that will get you on 50 MHz in no time. All you need is 3 m of wire (for the element), a support pole, a variable capacitor that goes up to about 60 pF (a lesser maximum like 20 pF would also be OK), a short section of 9mm dowelling and some extra wire for the coil and radial. I tested it on WSPR with VK3II 50km away as receiving. I was a similar stre