Simple Ham Radio Antennas

If you're having trouble viewing this video, please insert this title link into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psUdNEfDIc4.  Here's another antenna idea for those radio amateurs living in deed-restricted homes or apartments.  In this video, "signa2424" uses a LDG S9v31 telescoping mast to support a HF vertical antenna.  The radial system consists of 24 ground radial wires made from CAT 5 cabling.  The antenna is raised only during operations. It's nested on the ground when operations are over.  Signa2424 notes that his fiberglass pole is painted green and and blends in well with his surroundings.  He also knows when the HOA conducts its inspections.  Of course, an unannounced inspection could reveal the presence of the antenna, raised or not.  The design, placement, and use of a "stealth" antenna take some forethought and planning. Don't assume all HOA inspections will be done according to a pre-set schedule. Other than...

If you're having trouble viewing this video, please insert this title link into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.watch?v=spWdV-So0iA. Fascinating and interesting tutorial from Cliff of the "QRP School."  Cliff's deployable HF antenna covers all amateur radio bands from 20 meters through 6 meters and can be used almost anywhere with no separate supports needed.  His portable "go kit" consists of a 17-foot/5.18 meters telescoping steel antenna from MFJ, a small tripod, a large Jaw C-clamp, 50-feet/15/24 meters of 50 ohm coaxial cable, a plastic tent stake, and a radial system that attaches to the tripod or C-clamp.  You can change the antenna frequency by adjusting the length of the telescoping steel rod.  The radial system consists of quarter wavelength wires cut for each band. This antenna kit is so small that you can make an extra one for your vehicle or use as a spare for your normal antenna system. An excellent weekend project. For the lat...

If you're having trouble viewing this video, please insert this title link into your browser search box:' https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UgoY2nvUds.  In this video, Tom Morton (W5TOM) discusses several antenna configurations suitable for deed-restricted homes or apartments. Tom shows how easy it is to disguise a vertical, loop, inverted V, a dipole, and a random wire antenna so that it remains undetected by neighbors.  Tom also reviews the importance of using a good rf ground, a sturdy antenna transmatch (i.e. "tuner"), and a fool-proof wire launching system. He briefly touches upon the use of a lightweight telescoping fiberglass mast to support vertical and inverted V antennas.  This video should give you a few good ideas on how to design and use your own stealth antenna. Remember the old saying:  "Out of sight-out of mind." For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please check out the blog sidebars.  These news feeds are updated daily. Op...

The Doctor will see you now! Magnetic Loops. (http://www.arrl.org/news/view/the-doctor-will-see-you-now). Accessed on 28 July 2016, 21:26 hrs, UTC. Reporters:  Steve Ford (WB8IMY) and Joel Hallas (W1ZR). Please click link to find information about this podcast. Comment: Every two weeks, "QST" Editor in Chief Steve Ford (WB8IMY) and the "Doctor" himself, Joel Hallas (W1ZR), discuss a wide range of technical topics relating to amateur radio. This week's podcast (28 July 2016) investigates "Magnetic Loops"--small, portable HF antennas that are growing in popularity among QRP enthusiasts and those living in deed-restricted housing. You can e-mail your questions to the show at doctor@arrl.org. You can download the podcast through Apple iTunes, Blubrry or Stitcher. For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please check out the blog sidebars.  These news feeds are updated daily. Opinions expressed in this blog are mine unless other...

If you're having trouble viewing this video, please insert this title link into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMwRZVi-IOA.  If you need a cheap, effective emergency antenna for portable or home operations, then this video from Tom Morton (W5TOM) may help you reach that goal.  In this video, Tom discusses the various pieces of equipment you'll need to assemble and build an emergency antenna that is cheap, durable, and effective. Tom reviews several antenna "tuners" that will help you match the antenna to your rig, offers suggestions on wire sources, describes several antenna launching schemes, and offers several coaxial connectors that will help you interconnect your equipment to the antenna.  Tom then demonstrates several designs at a public park and at his home.  An excellent video for antenna experimenters. For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please check out the blog sidebars.  These news feeds are updated daily. ...

Amateur Radio Related Uses For Raspberry Pi [Slides] (https://dzone.com/articles/amateur-radio-related-uses-for-the-raspberry-pi-sl). Accessed on 26 July 2016, 21:35 hrs, UTC. Reporter:  Kevin Hooke (KK6DCT). Please click title link to read the full article and to view the slides. Comment: An excellent slide show presentation on the use of the Raspberry Pi microprocessor for amateur radio projects. This well-done slide program was presented to members of the River City Radio Communications Society this month by Keven Hooke (KK6DCT). The program consists of 31 slides which describe how you can integrate the Raspberry Pi microprocessor into various phases of your amateur radio operation. Most of the projects are simple, inexpensive, and fun to use. For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please check out the blog sidebars.  These news feeds are updated daily. Opinions expressed in this blog are mine unless otherwise stated. Thanks for joining us tod...

More Magnetic Loop Antenna Work (http://www.w2lj.blogspot.com/2016/07/more-magnetic-loop-antenna-work.html?m=1). Accessed on 26 July 2016, 03:10 hrs, UTC. Reporter:  Larry Makoski (W2LJ). Please click title link to read the full story. Comment: One of my favorite amateur radio websites is the QRP blog published by New Jersey ham, Larry Makoski (W2LJ).  He's always trying new things and isn't afraid to experiment with antennas, accessories, and rigs. In this post, Larry describes his progress in making a QRP magnetic loop antenna tuned by a "homebrewed" capacitor box of his own design.  Magnetic Loop antennas are excellent for space-restricted radio amateurs or for portable operations.  Tuning magnetic loop antennas can be tedious because of their narrow bandwidth. In years gone by, one could buy surplus Jennings air variable capacitors and be operational in no time.  Although these capacitors were often available, their cost discouraged many amateur...