Simple Ham Radio Antennas

KE1Q's "Winch-It-Up" Universal Mast Launcher. (http://www.eham.net/articles/34910). Accessed on 17 November 2015, 06:24 hrs, UTC . Author:  Craig Lund (KE1Q). To view the entire article with step-by-step instructions and photographs, please insert this URL into your browser search box: http://www.eham.net/articles/34910. I found this fascinating article while I was searching for antenna mast ideas on the eham.net website. Although this not a "simple" antenna construction article, two people equipped with some basic tools, lumber from a home improvement store, and a few parts from a marine supply outlet should be able to design, build, and use this mast support in a few days of casual work .  Craig outlines this project in easy-to-follow-steps and illustrates the process with excellent photographs.  The completed project can be used for Field Day, vacation operating, or even at home.  The construction is sturdy and should stand up to the weather. For t...

If you're having trouble viewing this video, please insert this into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/c7IuIk63HJg.  Here's another great tutorial from Tracy (VE3TWM).  This time, Tracy shows how easy it is to set up and erect an end-fed HF antenna using a Jackite fiberglass pole, even in the dead of winter....brrrr! This arrangement would serve as a good portable or emergency antenna.  This end-fed antenna could also be used in deed-restricted areas, as long as you nested the antenna to ground level after use.  For the latest Amateur Radio news and events, please check out the blog sidebars.  These news feeds are updated regularly.  You can follow our blog community with a free email subscription or by tapping into the blog RSS feed.  Thanks for joining us today!  Aloha es 73 de Russ (KH6JRM).

If you're having trouble viewing this video, please insert this URL into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/Gn0HaZMYzro. Every ham shack needs a " dummy load " to test and tune your transmitter before it goes on the air.  This video from "69furball69" (Steve) is an innovative, homebrew approach to building your own dummy load.  Although there isn't much audio in this video, the steps are clearly laid out and easy to follow.  In essence, a dummy load is a number of non-inductive resistors in parallel to achieve 50 ohms over a wide frequency range .  The requirements of homebrew dummy load are simple:  It must be cheap; it should insure a 50 ohm load over a wide frequency range; and it must allow for the attachment of monitoring equipment to test and tune the transmitter.  You can use a clean, empty quart-sized paint can, some mineral oil to cool the resistors, and some non-inductive resistors connected in parallel for your resistive network. ...

If you're having trouble viewing this video, please insert https://youtu.be/Y4aoKLCF4Kw into your browser search box. A nice, down-to-earth description of a simple, practical, and easily made portable or emergency antenna .  In this video, "YeOldeScience" shows us how to use two spools of "camping clothes line " wire to make a multiband dipole.  This 18-gauge wire can be bought at any store that sells camping equipment .  Amazon.com also sells a similar product.  This antenna resembles a commercial antenna called the "Yo-Yo", which can be spooled out to various lengths to suit whatever band you wish to work.  This homebrewed antenna is surprisingly tough and can be packed into a pelican case with your QRP rig, battery, and various tools for a truly portable station.  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 email subsc...

If you are having trouble viewing this video, please insert this URL into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/kGyAveQsf60. Here's another antenna idea for those with small back yards.  Terry (VE3TWM) shows us how to install the HyEndFed 5 Band HF amateur radio antenna .  Terry says the commercially made end-fed antenna performs well at his Ontario, Canada location.  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 email subscription or by tapping into the blog RSS feed. Thanks for joining us today! Aloha es 73 de Russ (KH6JRM). Related articles HF versus VHF/UHF IARU emcomm display at ITU WRC-15 Geneva ARISS-Europe Chairman Retires, Successor Elected Amateur radio Hackers Launch Balloon Probe Into the Stratosphere to Spy on Drones

If you're having trouble viewing this video, please insert this URL into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/7IYV7nkKrWo. Here is a simple, effective way to match your multiband HF antenna to feed lines using either 300 ohm television twin lead or 450 ohm ladder line.  These feed lines would then go into your antenna transmatch (i.e. "tuner").  According to "Wilshire Man", " I built this simple air cored balun in next to no time...no need to worry about toroids, etc.  It works from 3 MHz to 30 MHz and handles 200 watts easy.  If you use thicker wire, it will handle a cool 1 KW."  As some readers have pointed out, this device is a voltage balun and may exhibit greater losses than a current balun made from ferrite material.  None the less, if you need a 4:1 balun for emergency or portable use, this project could be what you're looking for.  For the latest Amateur Radio news and events, please check out the blog sidebars.  These news feeds ...

If you're having trouble viewing this video, please insert this URL into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/BOHvM_2G340. This excellent video tutorial from "SurvivalTechNord" presents the concept of a Modular Portable Antenna System for emergency communications and deployment of volunteer amateur radio operators, in a "grid down" scenario.  The easily assembled HF antenna is made from Chameleon antenna parts and is designed to cover amateur radio bands between 160 and 6 meters. This antenna kit can fit in your vehicle easily and can be used at home as well as in the field.  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 email subscription or by tapping into the blog RSS feed. Thanks for joining us today!  Aloha es 73 de Russ (KH6JRM). Related articles IARU emcomm display at ITU WRC-15 Geneva Amateur radio Carolina DX Associa...