Simple Ham Radio Antennas

If you have trouble viewing this video, please insert the following URL into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/PT1kSQjQIkm.  You don't need an antenna transmatch (i.e. "tuner") to have a multi-band HF dipole antenna.  You can use what is often called a "Fan Dipole" to access several HF amateur radio bands with a single coaxial feed line.  The video by "Resistance Hams" explains the process simply and effectively.  Basically, you attach separate dipoles for each HF band you want to a central feed point, "fan out" the dipoles to reduce element interaction, and connect a convenient length of 50 ohm coaxial cable.  Fan Dipole Antennas are great for portable and emergency operations where an antenna "tuner" may not be available.  This would make an excellent weekend project.  For the latest Amateur Radio news and events, please check out the blog sidebars.  These news feeds are updated daily.  You can follow our blog communi...

If you have trouble viewing this video, please enter this URL into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/9yARhBgi020. Intriguing video from Peter (VK3YE), who  replaced his long radials for his 17/20 meter vertical antenna with "small tuned counterpoises." Peter says he had success with the project and feels the smaller, "tuned" counterpoises worked very well.  Vertical antennas need a ground radial or counterpoise system to work properly, since the radials supply the missing half of the vertical antenna.  Of course, a location near the ocean always helps. I've been in similar situations where I just ran my few radials (around 4) directly into the ocean.  I always had good reports from such an arrangement.  For the latest Amateur Radio news and events, please check out the blog sidebars.  These news feeds are updated daily. You can follow our blog community with a free e-mail subscription or by tapping into the blog RSS feed. Thanks for joining u...

If you have trouble viewing this video, please insert the following URL into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/ddbrweVlhCE. One of the major drawbacks to enjoying the 160 Meter Amateur Radio Band is the size of the antenna , which can reach approximately 123-feet/37.54 meters for a quarter wave vertical for the upper portion of the band (1.900 MHz -2.000 MHz).  However, by designing the antenna as an inverted L, with a part of the antenna running vertical and the other part running horizontal, you can still get decent performance on this band.  In this video, Stan Gibilisco (W1GV) describes a quarter-wave inverted L antenna that can fit on a typical city lot (150 X 50 feet/45.75 X 15.24 meters).  It's also important to establish the best ground radial system or counterpoise that you can to prevent losses and improve efficiency.  Good luck! For the latest Amateur Radio news and events, please check out the blog sidebars.  These news feeds are upda...

If you have trouble viewing this video, please insert the following URL into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/DGDdpQ_xrYI.  Nicely organized and well-presented video tutorial on the 160 Meter Amateur Radio Band from "OfficialSWLChannel."  This band is primarily a night-time band, with best conditions found in the winter season.  When I was a young lad in the 1950s, many amateur radio operators ran low-power 160 Meter rigs in their vehicles for local nets during the daylight hours. Those were the days of AM, of course.  Many of the signals displayed outstanding audio quality, especially those home-based 160 Meter stations.  The band is growing in popularity, now that the FCC has earmakerd the Amateur Radio Service as primary user in the 1.900 MHz to 2.000 MHz portion of 160 Meters .  Don't forget Grey Line propagation around sunrise and sunset hours. Some fascinating DX can be found during these brief periods.  Antennas for this band ...

// If you have trouble viewing this video, please enter the following URL into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/VsrHg3zx_Fs. One of the problems of maintaining a uniform shape of a dipole antenna is the sag of the antenna elements caused by wire fatigue, weather conditions, and other phenomena that take their toll on antenna wires.  In this video, Stan Gibilisco (W1GV) gives us some practical and cheap ways to maintain the symetry of your dipole antenna without damaging it.  Basically, Stan believes you can help the antenna "stay taut but not break" with a few simple procedures.  There are many ways to keep the antenna elements of a dipole straight without damaging your antenna, and Stan reviews some of the more popular options.  Good, basic tutorial.  For the latest Amateur Radio news and events, please check out the blog sidebars. These news feeds are update daily.  You can follow our blog community with a free e-mail subscription or by tappi...

A beautiful, simple 2 meter dipole antenna made from an indoor "bunny" (rabbit) ears TV antenna .  Nicely done video from VK3YE.  Just adjust the telescoping antenna elements to the proper length for your chosen 2 meter frequency, attach a short length of 50-ohm coaxial cable , and hook up your 2 meter HT with a simple adapter. This modified antenna would be perfect for portable or emergency use.  For the latest Amateur Radio news and events, please check out the blog sidebars.  These news feeds are updated daily.  You can follow our blog community with a free e-mail subscription or by tapping into the blog RSS feed . Thanks for joining us today!  Aloha es 73 de Russ (KH6JRM). Related articles Inexpensive and Simple Mono- or Multi-Band HF Ham Radio Antennas, by PrepperDoc Comcast To Begin Testing Super-Fast Cable Broadband This Year Substitute for an antenna 300 ohm to 75 ohm connector? Man Electrocuted Over TV Antenna

If you have trouble viewing this video, please enter this URL into your browser's search box: https://youtu.be/CQfj9879K_c. Excellent tutorial on building a Multi-Band Dipole using the "Fan Dipole" pattern from Bob Plank.  As constructed, this dipole will cover the 40, 20, 17, and 10 Meter Amateur Radio Bands.  The 40 meter elements can also be used as a 3/2 wavelength dipole on 15 meters.  An antenna transmatch ("tuner") would be helpful if you choose to use the 40 meter elements on 15 meters.  Construction is fairly simple, requiring some PVC pipe , a homemade balun , antenna wire, a few insulators, and suitable feed line .  You could probably design, build, erect, and use this type of antenna after a few hours work over the weekend. I've built a few "Fan Dipoles" in the past and they work very well.  If space is a problem, you can always erect the antenna as a sloper or as an inverted vee antenna .  You can use the basic 1/2 wavelength f...