Simple Ham Radio Antennas

Well-produced video from "The Radio Hobbyist" showing the unpacking, set up, and use of the MFJ-1786 Magnetic Loop Antenna. The set up seems straight forward and fairly easy. This particular loop was installed about 5-ft/1.52 meters above ground level and performed about as well as the operator's dipole. This antenna would make an ideal portable or emergency antenna. Those living in deed-restricted areas (HOAs and CC&Rs) could find this antenna useful in getting on the air without being seen. The MFJ-1786 Magnetic Loop Antenna is a bit expensive (around $450), so you may want to "roll your own" following a design such as the "Alex Loop Walk Ham Antenna." My use of loop antennas has been on the larger size--my current HF antenna is an 80-meter delta loop fed with 450 ohm ladder line into a 4:1 balun and then into my Drake MN-4 antenna transmatch. I get 80-10 meter coverage and a very quite receive antenna. For the latest Amateur Radio ne