Simple Ham Radio Antennas

If you're having trouble viewing this video, please insert this title link into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/SLcGN0P1Xjs.  An informative, straight-forward, and enjoyable tutorial on how to make a 10/15/20 meter trap vertical antenna from Dave Tadlock (KG0ZZ).  This is part 1 of a 4 part series.  Dave does an excellent job of explaining the theory, design, and construction of this versatile antenna which can fit on a small residential lot.  Most of the materials can be bought at the nearest hardware store or home improvement outlet.  Follow Dave's instructions closely, and by the time you reach part 4, you'll be ready to use this proven antenna design.  For the latest Amateur Radio news and events, please check out the blog sidebars.  These news feeds are updated daily.  Thanks for joining us today!  Aloha es 73 de Russ (KH6JRM).

If you're having trouble viewing this video, please insert this title link into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/uxDijG90dM.  If you're "antenna challenged" by CC&Rs and HOAs, then this video tutorial on random wire antennas from stancoyote (WB2LQF) will help you get on the air undetected with a decent signal, even if your shack is located on the second floor of your home or situated deep withing your house. If you follow stan's guidance, you can eliminate RFI issues before they arise.  Be sure you have a decent balun, a counterpoise system, and a sturdy antenna transmatch (i.e. "tuner").  With care and attention to detail, you can duplicate this antenna, which covers all amateur radio bands between 80 and 10 meters.  I've built a few of these antennas, and they work remarkably well, considering the limitations inherent in the design. Good luck!  For the latest Amateur Radio news and events, please check out the blog sidebars.  These ...

If you're having trouble viewing this video, please insert this title link into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/pi8ysNBDDBg.  Here's another idea for a multiband vertical antenna that uses few parts, is inexpensive, and can fit into a restricted space.  The hams at ResistanceHams shows us how to build a tri-band HF vertical antenna covering the 10, 15, and 20 meter Amateur Radio bands. The ground plane for this vertical antenna is a steel shed--a bit unconventional, but it works.  At times, I've used the metal roof over my house as a ground plane for 40 meters.  It works fairly well.  I remember a Field Day operation at Laupahoehoe Point where a group of dedicated QRP operators, led by Dean Manley (KH6B), used the metal roof of a large pavilion at the beach park for a 160 meter ground plane.  The impromptu steel roof worked very well and many 160 meter contacts were made.  If you want to ground mount this tri-band HF vertical, be sure to us...

If you're having trouble viewing this video, please enter this title link into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/Cv_RnLpZ9gw.  In this well-produced video, Peter Parker (VK3YE) shows us how to design, build, and use a 100 watt 7 MHz magnetic loop antenna for restricted places such as apartments or in areas where HOAs and CC&Rs are present.  Peter says there are no hard to get parts or complex workshop skills needed to build this portable antenna.  Instead of an expensive vacuum variable capacitor, Peter uses a length of RG-213 coaxial cable (approximately 1.85 meters long and 3mm circumference loop for 7 MHz). The sliding capacitor dimensions are approximately 6 cm x 8 cm.  Since this loop carries a lot of potentially dangerous voltage, please use this antenna away from your shack.  If you've got the time and need a highly portable antenna for restricted areas or for portable use, try Peter's magnetic loop antenna. For the latest Amateur Radio new...

Antenna Feed Line Problems: Expect the unexpected (http://www.eham.net/articles/35989). Accessed on 28 March 2016, 00:03 hrs, UTC. Author:  Patrick Greenlee (NJ5G). Please click title link to read the full article. Comment: This intriguing article from Patrick Greenlee (NJ5G) entitled "When You Least Expect It, Expect it!" can apply to many radio amateurs who have unexplained and often frustrating SWR problems on their coaxial fed antennas.  In the past whenever I ran into the problem described by Patrick, I just "junked" the old coax, substituted a new coax cable feeder, checked SWR, and continued to enjoy "warming the ether."  Patrick has taken this troublesome issue one step further. He actually dissected his old coax to find the real cause of the unwieldy SWR readings he was getting.  He eventually discovered that the inner wire of the coax had shorted to the coax shield, thus giving erratic SWR readings.  He also found some coax "barrel...

If you're having trouble viewing this video, please insert this title link into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/unliqNuzNHI.  One of the problems associated with portable and camping operations is how to place an antenna high enough to do some good. In this video, Tinker John (W5CYF) solves that issue with a simple, elegant, inexpensive, and effective homebrew antenna launcher that can be made in less than 30 minutes with material available at the nearest hardware store or building supply outlet.  Practice a bit before you use this variation of a slingshot to launch your antenna into a high tree.  Good luck!  For the latest Amateur Radio news and events, please check out the blog sidebars. These news feeds are updated daily.  Thanks for joining us today! Aloha es 73 de Russ (KH6JRM).

If you're having trouble viewing this video, please insert this title link into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/K7go9vCN99w.  The combination of hiking, camping, and amateur radio make for an enjoyable afternoon of physical exercise (we all need some of this) and pure radio enjoyment.  In this video, Tinker John (W5CYF) shows us just how easy and lightweight a HF station can be.  On this trip to the wilderness, John uses a MFJ-9420 20 meter SSB transceiver, a MFJ antenna transmatch (i.e. "tuner"), a portable dipole erected between two trees, and a 12-volt/7.5 Ah SLA (sealed lead acid) gel cell for power.  Hopefully, this video will give you some ideas on how fun and easy it is to operate a portable amateur radio station.  For the latest Amateur Radio news and events, please check out the blog sidebars.  These news feeds are updated daily.  Thanks for joining us today!  Aloha es 73 de Russ (KH6JRM).