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/watch?v=39KyjSzw31I. For those of you who have some space in your backyard, a random loop antenna can offer some interesting possibilities.  When I was upgrading my new home in the Puna District of Hawaii Island a few years ago, I erected a 540-ft/164.53 meters horizontal loop on my property's spacious backyard, thanks to some 30-ft/9.146 meters Norfolk Pine Trees around the lot. The antenna generally followed the guidelines outlined in this video from Stan Gibilisco (W1GV). The key components of this experimental antenna were a balanced "tuner" (or a 4:1 balun/"tuner" combination), balanced feed line, and a good ground system for your station.  In my case, I used some speaker wire left over from a radio station news room renovation (I was working as a news announcer at the time for KHLO-AM 850/KKBG-FM (97.9 MHz), a roll of 300-ohm televisi...

If you can't view this video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84F4UgSWmQo. If you're a newly licensed Technician Class Amateur Radio operator, there's an exciting world of DX awaiting you in the 10-meter band.  Technicians can use a small segment of the band for SSB contacts as well as CW portions of the 80, 40, 15, and 10 meter amateur radio bands.  Although propagation doesn't always favor 10 meters, there are times when the band is open throughout the world.  Why not build a simple 10 meter dipole antenna to catch those openings? In this video, Randy Hall (K7AGE) shows you how to make an effective, inexpensive, and sturdy 10 meter dipole antenna.  Just follow Randy's step-by-step process, and you'll have a 10 meter dipole ready for use in only a few hours. Randy's instructions are clear and easily followed.  Good luck. For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please visit these...

If you can't view this video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JawIvGu2DYU. End fed random length longwire antennas can perform remarkably well if you have a decent ground radial/counterpoise system and a way to match the antenna's high impedance to your rigs nominal 50 ohm input. In this video, "Signal Search" shows us how to match this antenna to your rig's input impedance with a simple 9:1 balun.  The balun is based on a design from the Emergency Radio Club of Hawaii (EARCHI).  This excellent video takes us step-by-step through the design, building, and use phases of this useful balun. Once the balun is built and connected to your antenna transmatch (i.e. "tuner"), you should be able to use your longwire antenna on any amateur radio band from 40 meters through 6 meters.  For more information, please visit this website: http://www.k5acl.net. For the latest Amateur Radio news and info...

If you can't view this video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBGSvI5Cgn8. If you've ever wanted to build an inexpensive, sturdy, and simple antenna for the 6 Meter Amateur Radio Band, then this video is for you.  Most of the parts can be found around your shack, at garage sales. and in the bins at your nearest home improvement or hardware store.  "Dafrogtoad" takes you step-by-step in converting an old VHF/UHF television antenna into a fully functioning 6 Meter Dipole Antenna--a great project that will save money and deliver good performance on "The Magic 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://www.arrl.org/arrl-audio-news (a weekly podcast which is updated each Friday). https://paper.li/kh6jrm/1430289353 (Amateur Rad...

If you can't view this video, please insert this title URL into your browser searchbox: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Li-OqrAzbZ8. Operating an amateur radio station from deed-restricted housing (HOA/CC&Rs) can be a difficult, often frustrating experience. Yet, with a little ingenuity and creativity, a decent HF signal can be launched from your restricted home, apartment, or condominium location. In this video from N4CPB ("videosbymike"), we see how the popular Alpha Multiband HF Antenna can be used for amateur radio operations from a severely restricted space--in this case, Mike's Florida condominium unit. Mike's operating conditions aren't ideal. Please note that about 10-feet/3.048 meters of his antenna are blocked by the outdoor patio wall of his apartment.  Despite the restrictions, Mike is able to get some good contacts with this Alpha Multiband HF Antenna.  If you don't own one of these antennas, try making a small magnetic loop antenna...

If you can't view this video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PT1kSQjQIkM. Do you want a multi-band HF antenna, but don't have an antenna transmatch (i.e. "tuner") to keep SWR low as you select your favorite band? Then, a multi-band HF "Fan Dipole Antenna" may be what you're looking for.  The antenna consists of dipoles for each band connected to a single 50 ohm coaxial cable feedline.  In this video, Cory (N0ECK) and Alex (KD0YNH) take us step-by-step in designing, building, and using this simple, effective HF antenna.  According to Alex and  Cory, this antenna will work well on 80, 40, 20, and 15 meters without an antenna "tuner".  Be sure there is separation between the dipoles to reduce signal cancellation.  For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please visit these websites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. https://oahuarrlnews.wordpress.com. https://bigislandarr...

If you can't view this video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcRuJvPEPrU. If you've ever wondered what the 6 meter band holds for you, then check out this informative and laid back video from "Ham Radio Concepts" (KJ4YZI). The idea for this video came from a recent ARRL VHF contest which encouraged KJ4YZI to investigate the nature and challenges of "The Magic Band." The "magic" of 6 meters lies in its borderline location between HF and VHF, with the band showing characteristics of both HF and VHF.  Antenna requirements are modest, with a simple vertical or horizontal dipole offering plenty of contacts. KJ4YZI does an excellent job of explaining the theory, operations, antennas, and equipment needed to work this slice of the radio spectrum.  As an added feature, you get the antics of Sophie, the official mascot of KJ4YZI's ham shack. If you want a challenge in this time of...