Simple Ham Radio Antennas

If you're unable to view this video, please insert this title link into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?=c1Ays78mwZA.  If you want to add multiband capability to your dipole antenna, use a balanced feeder for your antenna elements. In this video, Steve Ellington show us how to make ladder line from common materials around the home and some 12-gauge "Flexweave 545" from the Wireman.  Steve uses this homebrew ladder line to feed his 128-foot/36.15 meter horizontal dipole.  The spreaders for the ladder line are approximately 6-inches/15.24 cm wide.  Nicely done, easily understandable tutorial from Steve. For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please check out the blog sidebars.  These news feeds are updated daily. Thanks for joining us today!  Aloha es 73 de Russ (KH6JRM).

KK4OBI Bent Dipoles (http://www.qsl.net/kk4obi/center-fed%20Dipole%20selection.html). Author:  Dick Reid (KK4OBI). Accessed on 30 June 2016, 03:37 hrs, UTC. Please click link or insert URL into your browser search box to read the full article. Comment: I found this interesting blog while I was searching for dipole antenna ideas.  It's possible to have a fairly efficient dipole antenna even if you have to bend it around objects to fit your property.  Dick Reid (KK4OBI) does an excellent job of exploring several "bent dipole antennas" suitable for radio amateurs.  His illustrations and explanations are clear, concise, and easy to follow.  Hopefully, this article will give you some ideas on how to build an efficient dipole antenna despite your property limitations. For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, 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 enter this title link into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qEQN_FV0Pk. Nicely done video tutorial from K8YIO on how to design, build, and use a basic quarter wavelength 40 meter vertical antenna.  The radiating element is made from interlocking pipe sections, measuring approximately 33-feet/10.06 meters. Be sure to attach a ground radial or counterpoise system to this antenna.  The ground radial system supplies the "missing half" of the antenna.  The number of radial elements can vary from 4 to 120, depending on how much wire and real estate are available.  In my moist tropical environment on Hawaii Island, I've found a radial system consisting of 12 to 16 quarter wavelength wires adequate to produce a low angle of radiation and to keep SWR fairly low.  For the truly adventurous radio amateur, try an elevated radial system.  You'll get the same or better performance using only ...

If you're having trouble viewing this video, please insert this title link into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4K5Vj6wtpE0. Summer usually ushers in a fairly good 6 meter season with E scatter and Transequatorial Scatter modes helping get your signals out.  All you need is a simple antenna to explore "The Magic Band" above 50 MHZ.  This band displays both HF and VHF characteristics, so surprises are to be expected.  In this video, Randy (K7AGE) shows us how to make a simple 6 meter dipole antenna that will get you plenty of contacts.  The antenna is easy to make and will give you hours of enjoyment. For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please check out the blog sidebars.  These news feeds are updated daily. Thanks for joining us today! Aloha es 73 de Russ (KH6JRM).

MFJ-1625 80-6 meter window/balcony antenna with built in tuner (http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/6876#142223). Accessed on 27 June 2016, 03:56 hrs, UTC. Author:  http://www.eham.net. Please click title link to read the full set of antenna reviews. Comment: Back in the mid-1980s, I bought an early forerunner of this antenna from MFJ for use in a rental home on Hawaii Island.  The landlord wasn't too keen on outdoor antennas (television antennas were OK), so I decided to get a simple, easily installed and easily removed antenna for my radio operations.  In those days, the antenna was sold as the MFJ-1622 Window/Balcony Antenna and came with a telescoping steel whip, a tapped coil for the 80, 40, 20, 15, and 10 meter bands, some wire for a "counterpoise" system, a C-clamp for attaching the antenna to a window sill, and a length of RG-58 to connect your HF rig to the antenna system.  While the coil matched the bands fairly well, I used the antenna along with ...

If you can't view this video, please insert this title link into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwVuvu-C30c.  Here's another handy accessory for your QRP station from Peter Parker (VK3YE).  This simple L-match antenna coupler (i.e. "tuner") covers all amateur HF bands between 7 MHz and 28 MHz.  The power rating is 5 watts, perfect for QRP operators using random length antennas or end-fed half-wave antennas. This simple device would make an excellent club or weekend project. For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, 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 unable to view this video, please insert this title link into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yH0zKNNGa0s.  If you're "stumped" about a portable antenna to use during the 2016 ARRL Field Day event (25-26 June 2016), here's an idea from Kevin Loughin that may be your answer.  The antenna is simple, easy to build, and does a great job for its size. The antenna use a UnUn (unbalanced to unbalanced) balun to insure a good match between feed line and antenna.  Kevin says this antenna is perfect for QRP operations.  You may want to build one of these antennas for emergency or portable use.  This would make a great stealth antenna as well--easy up and easy down with only a small visual impact. For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please check out the blog sidebars.  These news feeds are updated daily. Thanks for joining us today!  Aloha es 73 de Russ (KH6JRM).