Simple Ham Radio Antennas

If you can't view the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfUbL_4VCww. If you're a fan of the classic G5RV antenna designed by the late Louis Varney (G5RV), you may find this video from the Stamford Amateur Radio Association (W1EE) most fascinating. The team in this video discusses how to design, build, and use an improved variant of Varney's original antenna known as the ZS6BKW.  This antenna was developed by Brian Austin (formerly ZS6BKW, now G0GSF).  In the early 1980s, Austin created computer programs used in conjunction with Smith Charts to calculate optimum dimensions for the classic G5RV. This video uses those calculations to design and build a ZS6BKW antenna from scratch.  The video discusses the G5RV, the ZS6BKW, tuning suggestions, and mounting options.  An interesting examination of a classic antenna and its modern persona. For the latest Amateur/Ham Radio news and information, plea...

If you can't view the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PF0mBpfwa0A. If you have limited space to install a multiband dipole antenna on your property, you may find this video by Tom (W7TCT) interesting.  In this video, Tom shows us his multiband Off-Center-Fed (OCF) dipole antenna which fits into his limited suburban lot.  He also offers a few suggestions for those wanting to try this dipole antenna variant.  Why not build one and see what results you can gain from Tom's model.  Most of the antenna materials can be found in your junk box or at the nearest home improvement/building supply outlet.  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 https://oahuarrlnews.wordpress.com https://hamradiohawaii.wordpress.com https://bigislandarrlnews.com https://www.eham.net...

If you can't view the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5aEhzEz-1k. Australian radio amateur Peter Parker (VK3YE) has inspired many of us to try pedestrian mobile operations.  In this video from VA3OSO and VE3EPQ, we move from Peter's balmy Australian beaches and trails to the much colder climes of Canada to see how two hams cope with the weather as they talk around the world with a pedestrian mobile setup.  Other than monitoring the weather, preparing for the chill factor, and the being mindful of the trailing mobile counterpoise, these radio amateurs appear to have enjoyed the experience of working pedestrian mobile contacts.  Nicely done video which may inspire you to take  your portable HF transceiver on the trail--hopefully when the weather is a bit more forgiving. For the latest Amateur/Ham Radio news and information, please visit these websites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. http://www....

If you can't view this video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyOWRTWdDKM. Dave Tadlock (KG0ZZ) has put together an excellent, informative video discussing the theory, design, construction, and operation of basic dipole and inverted v antennas. These classic designs are easily modified for your operational needs and can be built from locally available materials.  The video includes useful tips on construction, modifying, and testing of these two popular antennas.  Download this video and keep it in your antenna reference library. 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://oahuarrlnews.wordpress.com. https://hamradiohawaii.wordpress.com. https://bigislandarrlnews.com. https://www.eham.net. http://www.southgatearc...

If you can't view the video, please enter this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwhlSa8CUCk. Here's a simple way to lower the SWR and increase the performance of any HF/VHF/UHF vertical antenna.  Pet (N6PET) found a high SWR on his Comet SBB 15 6M triband mobile antenna. By mounting the antenna on a 2M quarter wave counterpoise made from 2 speaker wires, he was able to drop his SWR below 1:3:1 for the frequency range of 50-54 MHz.  Most conventional wisdom seems to favor the idea that the counterpoise system supplies "the missing half" of a 1/4 wavelength vertical, thus restoring antenna "balance."  If you use vertical antennas, please consider adding a ground radial or counterpoise system to improve antenna efficiency and matching between the antenna and your transceiver. For the latest Amateur/Ham Radio news and information, please visit these websites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. http://www.arrl.org. htt...

If you can't view the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=th9bPEm9i9k. Propagation seems to favor the lower HF bands (80 meters/160 meters) these days.  A major problem in using these bands is the sheer size of the antennas involved.  If you live on a small urban lot, building and erecting an efficient antenna for 80 meters and 160 meters can be a real challenge. In this video, Callum McCormick (M0MCX) explores several small HF antennas that can be used to work 80 meter and 160 meter contacts.  One of his suggestions is to design and build a linear-loaded inverted L antenna.  While this antenna has limited bandwidth and impedance matching problems, it can get you on the air if you design the antenna carefully.  Callum does a good job of visualizing the linear-loaded inverted L for those of us not blessed with sufficient space for a classic 1/2 wave dipole for these bands. For the latest Ama...

A Cheap Indoor Diple for 80m-15m. Post #1668. https://appalachianow.wordpress.com/2012/03/15-a-cheap-dipole-for-80m-15m. Author:  Josh Benson (NC4JB). Accessed on 05 November 2018, 0052 UTC, Post #1668. Please click link to read the full article by Josh. Comment: If you live in deed-restricted housing, you will recognize Josh's dilema.  Josh says he was compelled to consider an indoor dipole because he has "a townhouse with no attic, no basement, and a postage stamp yard, and putting antennas outside is entirely out of the question."  Does this sound familiar?  I faced this situation a few times during my amateur radio "career". Josh overcame the problem with an antenna that was out of sight, out of mind--namely an indoor dipole that fit the contours of his home and still produced acceptable results. In this post, Josh describes how he solved the antenna problem without violating the HOA/CC&R provisions of his home ownership.  Josh says the...