Simple Ham Radio Antennas

WB4IUY's Random Blog: Great Fan Dipole Diagram (http://wb4iuy.blogspot.com/2011/11/11/great-fan-dipole-diagram.html). Accessed on 24 December 2016, 21:45 hrs, UTC . Author:   Dave (WB4IUY). Please click title or enter the title URL into your browser to read the full article. Comment: If you want multiband HF coverage and can only erect one antenna for that purpose, you may want to consider the classic "Fan Dipole" which has served the Amateur Radio community for many decades. In this post, Dave (WB4IUY) describes a fan dipole created by YC8PVU which can cover several HF Amateur Radio bands with just one antenna using a single 50 ohm coaxial cable feed line .  You can add 160 meters, any WARC band , and event 6 meters using the same concept. This antenna doesn't require an antenna transmatch (i.e. "tuner") and automatically band switches.  Tuning is a bit critical, since the antenna elements are fairly close together.  But, as an all around...

If you're having trouble viewing this video, please enter this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RI2_T-LeYEU. This is post #990 in a continuing series of Simple Ham Radio Antennas.  Here's another dipole antenna for those lacking the space to install a full-length horizontal HF dipole.  This antenna is vertical dipole fed with 450 ohm ladder line and arranged so that each element is suspended from a tall support such as a tree or telescoping fiberglass mast.   Stan Gibilisco (W1GV) does a good job of explaining the theory, construction, and use of this dipole variant. If the dipole is cut for the lowest frequency of operation and fed with ladder line, television twin lead, or  homemade balanced feeders, you will have a cheap, easily made dipole capable of covering several HF amateur radio bands .  An antenna transmatch (i.e. "tuner") with a 4:1 current balun is needed to match the feed line impedance to the impedan...

If you're unable to view this video, please insert this title link into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbje13U6hC4. This is post #989 in a continuing series of Simple Ham Radio Antennas.  Here's a great project for a rainy or snowy day.  The folded dipole design will give you a bit more bandwidth on the six meter amateur radio band . In this video, Claude Jollet takes us step-by-step through the design, assembly, and use process for this easily made antenna. According to Claude, the six meter folded dipole is made from 450 ohm ladder line , fed with 450 ohm ladder line, and matched with a step down 4:1 coaxial balun at the bottom of the transmission line .  This antenna is cut to resonance at 50.4 MHz .  The SWR is below 1:3 between 50.0 and 51.4 MHz. For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please visit these websites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. https://oahuarrlnews.wordpress.com. https://bigislandarrlnews.wordpres...

If you're having trouble viewing this video, please insert this title link into your web browser : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ev17aaRu7w. You could also insert the full title of the post into your browser if the URL doesn't work. This is post #988 in a continuing series of Simple Ham Radio Antennas. Magnetic Loop Antennas are a viable alternative to full-length dipoles and 1/4 vertical antennas for those living in deed-restricted properties governed by HOAs and CC&Rs. These antennas are small and highly portable, lending themselves to both home and portable/emergency use. Although there are several commercially-made magnetic loop antennas available through MFJ , Alpha, DX-Engineering, and Chameleon, you may save some money by building your own. You may have to search for some parts, but the effort will be worth it with an antenna you've built yourself. In this well-made video, James Fernando (9H1PF) shows us how he designed and assembled his HF magnet...

KK4OBI-Bent Dipoles (http://www.qsl.net/kk4obi/Center-fed%20Dipole%20selection.html). (http://www.qsl.net/kk4obi/index.html). Author:  Dick Reid (KK4OBI). Please enter title URL into your web browser to read the full article. Accessed on 20 December 2016, 23:15 hrs, UTC . Comment: If you want the ease of operation and the performance of a full-length dipole antenna but lack the space to install one, then this tutorial from Dick Reid (KK4OBI) may be helpful. Dick suggests several "Bent Dipole" designs that could have you operating in a short time. In this post, Dick considers several popular "Bent Dipole" projects: Center fed dipoles Horizontal dipoles Lateral dipoles Vertical dipoles (excellent for 10 and 15 meters) OCF (off-center fed) dipoles Slow Wave dipoles Other types and variants of dipoles All you have to do is click on the dipole icon you want and a full list of performance tests, SWR graphs, and impedance charts will be display...

QRP Random Wire Tuner (http://www.ad7c.com/projects/qrp-random-wire-tuner/). Author:  Rich (AD7C). Please insert title URL to read the full report and to view the accompanying video. Accessed on 20 December 2016, 04:45 hrs, UTC . Comment: Here's simple, small, and effective random wire antenna "tuner" for use in portable or emergency operations.  Rich (AD7C) provides ample documentation and photos of this well-made antenna accessory.  Most of the materials can be bought locally, except for the 12 position rotary switch which can be purchased through any of the many amateur radio supply outlets.  The rest of the "tuner" components are simple:  one air variable capacitor, some SO-239 connectors, and a metal watch case .  The coil consists of 22 gauge magnet wire wrapped around an empty 35 mm plastic film container.  Rich says the homemade "tuner" works well on 40 through 10 meters. Rich also offers a video of the "tuner" in action ...

Real Time Band Conditions Website (http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2016/june/realtime-band-conditions- website .htm#.WFcP6hsrLIU). (http://www.bandconditions.com). Source:  Original article cited by OPDX in http://www.southgatearc.org website. Accessed on 18 December 2016, 22:55 hrs, UTC . Please click link or insert title URLs into your browser search box to read the complete article. Comment: This article describes an interesting and fascinating method to predict ionospheric conditions in real time for active contesters seeking to boost their scores. Unlike conventional propagation programs that use software or satellite-based readings, this new propagation tool uses something called "HF Ionospheric Interferometry" which mimics the PolSAR sampling methods used by NASA . Try out this new program and see if it helps you in the next contest. For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please visit these websites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. http...