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=bo302ABvOro. Thanks to Dan Vanevenhoven (N9LVS) for this good, basic introduction to the theory, construction, and use of ground radial and counterpoise systems for vertical HF antennas. The ground radial/counterpoise system provides "the missing half" of a vertical antenna and allow it to be more efficient and stable. Dan does a good job of comparing a ground radial system for an AM broadcast tower to a simpler radial arrangement for an amateur/ham radio vertical.  For the latest Amateur/Ham Radio news and information, please visit these websites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. http://www.arrl.org. http://www.blubrry.com/arrlaudionews/ https://oahuarrlnews.wordpress.com. https://hamradiohawaii.wordpress.com. https://bigislandarrlnews.com. https://www.eham.net. http://hamradioupdate.com. http://www.southgatearc.org. Thanks for joining

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bo302ABvOro. Thanks to Dan Vanevenhoven for this excellent tutorial on radials for vertical antenna systems.  Dan begins the video with some basic vertical antenna theory and then shows us how theory translates into practice for a commercial AM broadcast station.  As you can see, radial systems for the MW AM broadcast band can number as high as 120 to 360 ground wires and consume a large chunk of real estate. For radio amateurs, the demands of a ground radial or counterpoise system are more modest.  The idea is to place as many radial wires as you have space, budget, and wire to do so.  Dan does a good job of explaining how radials increase antenna efficiency without getting too technical.  Basically, radial wires supply the "missing half" of a vertical antenna.  Depending on frequency and space availability, you may want to try an "elevated r