Simple Ham Radio Antennas

If you can't view this video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/v=ehjKrJ-TH_w. Here's a simple, cost-effective, and easy to build HF receiving antenna using parts found in your ham shack or at the nearest building supply or home improvement center.  For those radio amateurs living in deed-restricted apartments and homes, this compact, lightweight antenna can be used to receive shortwave and ham radio signals without upsetting your neighbors.  The antenna is highly directional and can be used to sidestep noise and interference in your home. Although this loop is not designed to be used with transmitters, it can give your some flexibility in your receiving antennas.  You could always design and build a transmitting magnetic loop antenna to complement this receiving antenna. You then would be totally "stealthy". For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please visit these websites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.i...

If you can't view this video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSioSzSiScc. The K3MT Grasswire HF antenna designed by Mike Toia (K3MT) may be the ultimate stealth or portable antenna. You lay the antenna on the ground and start operating.  The antenna is nearly invisible. In this video from AC2RJ (rcobo 101), we see how simple and effective this antenna is.  AC2RJ says he laid out 100-feet/30.48 meters of speaker wire on the ground of his backyard and quickly got contacts on 20 and 40 meters.  An antenna "tuner" and a decent earth ground, radial system, or a few counterpoise wires will improve the efficiency and performance of this emergency antenna. You can find Mike's original article by checking the left hand column of this blog under the "pages" section.  Mike gives you all the theoretical and practical construction tips for this antenna.  If you follow Mike's instructions, you'...

If you can't view this video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7w-jdi-Nv4. Here's part 2 of an 80-6 meter OCF Dipole Antenna created by "Survivalist2008". In part 1, we collected the materials for the project and began construction of the antenna.  In part 2, we put the finishing touches on this antenna, erect it in the field, and make some contacts. The antenna is lightweight, stealthy, and compact. You may want to make one for your next portable or backpacking operation.  You could always use this antenna to back up the antennas you now use at your home station. For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please visit these websites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. https://oahuarrlnews.wordpress.com. https://bigislandarrlnews.com. http://www.arrl.org. http://www.arrl.org/arrl-audio-news (a weekly podcast which is updated each Friday afternoon). https://paper.li/kh6jrm/1430289353 (Amateur R...

If you can't view this video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuXPsKX6nYw. Here's another interesting approach for making a portable or emergency HF antenna covering 6 through 80 meters. "Survivalist2008"calls this antenna his "Fishing Reel" antenna because most of the components are stored on a fishing reel and can easily be carried in a backpack. "Survivalist2008" says this homebrewed off-center-fed dipole antenna is stealthy, lightweight, and can fit into a pocket on his knapsack.  In part one of this video, we learn what materials are needed make the antenna and the construction steps necessary to get the antenna operational. In part two, we will continue building the antenna and learn how to maximize its performance in a field operating situation. For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please visit these web sites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. https://oahuarrlnews....

If you can't view this video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AEIxCzujIY. If you wish to explore antenna possibilities beyond simple dipoles, inverted vees, and verticals, try building a yagi, log periodic, and phased array. The time and effort expended in designing, building, and using these antennas is worth it in terms of better performance, higher gain, and directivity. In this video, Dave Casler (KE0OG) discusses each of these antennas and makes suggestions on how you can build your own version of these antennas. The video is informative and easy to understand--a good, basic tutorial worth keeping in your reference library. For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please visit these websites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. https://oahuarrlnews.wordpress.com. https://bigislandarrlnews.com. http://www.arrl.org. http://www.arrl.org/arrl-audio-news (a weekly podcast which is updated each Friday after...

If you can't view this video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FR72wHHCeM. If the current solar cycle is making HF operations difficult and tedious, why not try some of the Amateur Radio microwave bands, such as the popular 10 GHz Band (X-Band)?  Equipment is readily available and instructional videos such as this one are available online.  With the advent of improved antennas, better transceivers, and manageable power supplies, it's possible to make many daily contacts via EME, meteor scatter, and knife-edge refraction. In this video, Gordon West (WB6NOA) and Tim Tucker (AE6LX) demonstrate the antennas, feed lines, transceivers, and operating procedures that will insure you success on this microwave band. For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please visit these websites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. https://oahuarrlnews.wordpress.com. https://bigislandarrlnews.com. http://www.arrl.org. http:...

If you can't views this video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PiU6x9aZT7A. I'm familiar with steel tape measures as elements for 2 meter yagis, but I've never seen the same principal applied to the HF bands.  In this video from KI4PMI and NC4FB, we see how common steel tape measures can be used for antennas covering 40 through 06 meters.  According to NC4FB, you change bands by adjusting the length of the steel tape measure. An ingenious, creative, and inexpensive way to use common materials as antenna elements.  This antenna covers amateur radio frequencies from 40 through 06 meters.  You can have plenty of fun working with this type of antenna. For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please visit these websites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. https://oahuarrlnews.wordpress.com. https://bigislandarrlnews.com. http://www.arrl.org. http://www.arrl.org/arrl-audio-news (a weekly podcast whi...