Simple Ham Radio Antennas

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlvW9f--JOI. If you had to erect a vertical antenna during an emergency, could you do it in 3 minutes or less? In this video, Peter Parker (VK3YE) shows us how to unpack, erect, and use a portable HF vertical antenna in less than 3 minutes.  All you need are a telescoping fiberglass pole, a length of wire for the band of interest, a L-match antenna "tuner", and a simple counterpoise wire.  Such an antenna can be made in just a few hours and will provide contacts during portable or emergency situations.  For the latest Amateur/Ham Radio news and information, please visit these websites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. http://www.arrl.org. http://www.arrl.org/arrl-audio news (a weekly podcast which is updated each Friday afternoon). https://hamradiohawaii.wordpress.com. https://bigislandarrlnews.com. https://amateurradionewsinformation.com (Ama...

2 Meter Antennas-Cheap and Easy! http://www.hamuniverse.com/2mtrcheap.html. Accessed on 31 August 2018, 0415 UTC, Post #1601. Contributing author:  Don (N4UJW). Please click link to read the full article. Comment: If you're looking for some easy-to-build, inexpensive 2 meter amateur radio antennas, Don (N4UJW) of hamuniverse.com may have the answer for you in this well-written tutorial.  Don discusses and illustrates some inexpensive 2 meter antennas that use commonly available materials from the nearest hardware store or home improvement outlet.  You probably have some spare connectors, stiff wire, and spare coaxial cable in your "junk box" to round out the project. These simple 2 meter antennas don't require sophisticated matching or adjustments.  They are "stealthy", portable, and easy to erect and take down.  You may want to build one of these for your emergency "go kit" or for a standby antenna at your home or apartment.  Try ...

If you can't see the video, please insert the title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVOo-miuIFQ. A good, basic introduction to antenna gain from Stan Gibilisco (W1GV).  Stan discusses the theory behind all of those "gain" figures cited in antenna advertisements and promotions for radio amateurs. Most of us radio amateurs are familiar with the standard Wikipedia definition of antenna gain "as the ratio of the power produced by the antenna from a far-field source on the antenna's beam axis to the power produced by a hypothetical lossless isotropic antenna, which equally sensitive to signals from all directions."  A nice, technically precise description suitable for exams and learned discussions of antenna patterns. But, in everyday terms, what does antenna gain mean?  Stan does a good job of illustrating antenna gain and directivity without resorting to complicated examples and higher level mathematics.  Of course, if ...

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uz9v57HAPeM. An excellent example of how to build a dual band "ham band" dipole antenna with only the materials on hand. A creative and usable way to rig up an antenna in minimum time.  Please consider building something like this for your emergency "go-kit". For the latest Amateur/Ham Radio news and information, please check the blog sidebars and links.  These news feeds are updated daily> http://www.Hawaii ARRL.info. http://www.arrl.org. http://www.arrl.org/arrl-audio-news (a weekly podcast which is updated each Friday afternoon). https://hamradiohawaii.wordpress.com. https://bigislandarrlnews.com. https://www.eham.net. https://amateurradionewsinformation.com (Amateur Radio News & Information). http://www.southgatearc.org. Thanks for joining us today. Aloha es 73 de Russ Roberts (KH6JRM).

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ob53Zsp-ja8. A nicely-done tutorial on how to use a telescoping fiberglass mast to support portable and emergency antennas.  Properly strengthened, this simple mast will also support antennas at your home station. A simple, practical and easy solution to supporting your HF/VHF/UHF antennas.  The video provides links and suggestions for related antenna projects. For the latest Amateur/Ham Radio news and information, please visit these websites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. http://www.arrl.org. http://www.arrl.org/arrl-audio-news (a weekly podcast which is updated each Friday afternoon). https://hamradiohawaii.wordpress.com. https://bigislandarrlnews.com. https://amateurradionewsinformation.com (Amateur Radio News & Information). https://www.eham.net. http://www.southgatearc.org. Thanks for joining us today. Aloha es 73 de Russ (KH6JRM). ...

If you can't view the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKOVso4CJFA An excellent video tutorial from "Signal Search" (K5ACL) on how to install a Hustler 6BTV Vertical Antenna.  This well-made and organized video takes you from start to finish, and will have you on the air in just a few hours.  Pay particular attention to the issue of the ground radial or counterpoise system, which is needed for peak performance and efficiency.  You may want to consider four elevated radial wires if you have the space on your property.  Otherwise, bury as many radial wires as you can.  The Hustler 6BTV is an excellent antenna if you build it carefully and take time to maximize its performance. For the latest Amateur/Ham Radio news and information, please visit these websites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. http://www.arrl.org. http://www.arrl.org/arrl-audio-news (a weekly podcast which is updated each Friday...

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqh0Ntus5G0. If you need a simple, efficient, cheap, and lightweight antenna for portable or field operations, the "HQD" Speaker Wire Antenna from Jerry (KG6HQD) may be the answer.  The antenna resembles several designs featured in past editions of the "ARRL Antenna Book."  Those examples used commonly available "zip cord" available at many hardware and home improvement outlets.  Jerry shows us how to build the antenna in a few simple steps.  Used with an antenna transmatch (i.e. "tuner"), the antenna is capable of multiband operation--something that should appeal to SOTA (Summits on the Air) and QRP (low power) enthusiasts.  Based on research conducted by the ARRL and my own experience, these antennas provide excellent results on the lower HF bands (80/40 meters).  Higher HF bands may suffer significant losses, depen...