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=nkiht95YCP4. If you enjoy portable field operations, why not become active in the SOTA (Summits On The Air) program?  In this video, SOTA enthusiast James (M0JCQ) shows us his standard, "bare bones" kit for HF SOTA/Portable Operations.  This kit is simple, inexpensive, and thoroughly portable.  Even if you aren't into hiking up mountains and hills in your area, this minimalist HF set up can serve as a home emergency station should the need arise.  With the exception of James's Elecraft KX3 transceiver, most of the materials for this "go-kit" can be found at the nearest home improvement center or electrical equipment outlet. James also mentions the importance of taking your amateur radio license with you in case someone asks what you're doing on top of a mountain. For the latest Amateur/Ham Radio news and information, please vi...

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bo302ABvOro. Thanks to Dan Vanevenhoven for this excellent tutorial on radials for vertical antenna systems.  Dan begins the video with some basic vertical antenna theory and then shows us how theory translates into practice for a commercial AM broadcast station.  As you can see, radial systems for the MW AM broadcast band can number as high as 120 to 360 ground wires and consume a large chunk of real estate. For radio amateurs, the demands of a ground radial or counterpoise system are more modest.  The idea is to place as many radial wires as you have space, budget, and wire to do so.  Dan does a good job of explaining how radials increase antenna efficiency without getting too technical.  Basically, radial wires supply the "missing half" of a vertical antenna.  Depending on frequency and space availability, you may want to try an "...

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXsYbp-lEt0 If you need a small, "stealth-like" antenna for the 40 meter ham band, then this center-loaded design from Edy Karsano (YC2YIZ) may be your answer.  Edy takes us through the design, building, and tuning process of this portable 40 meter vertical antenna.  He used a MFJ Antenna Analyser to make SWR adjustments to the antenna.  Although the antenna covers the 40 meter ham band, it can also work on the 15 meter ham band, using the third harmonic of the 40 meter band.  When you complete this easy project, you will have 2 antennas for the price of one. 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://hamradiohawa...

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uPk0lAEwhc. Here's a simple, effective way to strengthen the feed-point connection for an inverted V Dipole Antenna.  Dave Turlock (KG0ZZ) takes us step-by-step through the design and construction process for this handy antenna accessory.  Be sure to protect the connector against the weather with paint or some other water-resistant substance. 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.org. Thanks for joining us today. Aloha es 73 de Russ (KH6JRM).

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5YdTarpDHU A "Hamstick" Dipole from MFJ (HF-Stick) makes a nice, simple, portable antenna suitable for both home and field use.  In this video, WA0FSE and WX0V show us how to trim the antenna and set it up for use.  The only materials you would have to find would be a tripod, a short telescoping fiberglass rod, some coaxial feed line, and a dipole connector mating two MFJ "HF-Sticks".  Other than speaking into the backside of a microphone, initial testing of this antenna went extremely well.  Antenna experiments are a great way to learn about propagation, SWR, bandwidth, and general antenna theory.  I liked this video because of its "down to earth" and easy to understand instructions.  Yes, like our intrepid antenna experimenters, I have also used the wrong end of the microphone at times.  We're only human. For the latest ...

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6e4P27FGTE Nebojsa Kovacevic has done an excellent job of presenting the advantages and disadvantages of the "classic" Windom antenna.  Nebojsa takes us step-by-step through the design, construction, and use of this multiband, off-center fed dipole antenna.  One of the downsides of the classic Windom antenna is the length required for proper operation. In this video, Nebojsa has sufficient space to cover at least six amateur radio bands.  Although his design doesn't require an antenna transmatch (i.e. "tuner"), it may be a good idea to use one to keep SWR low and reduce RF on the antenna feed line. 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:...

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1fs-zYCfRY A very nice and well-organized video tutorial from Jonathan Charles as he shows us the steps needed to construct a rotatable 40 meter dipole.  According to Jonathan, he used parts from MFJ HyGain, MFJ Cushcraft, Texas Towers, M2, and his local hardware store to build this impressive all metal dipole antenna.  At an elevation of 85 feet/25.91 meters on his tower, the antenna will perform quite well.  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://bigislandarrlnews.com. https://oahuarrlnews.wordpress.com. https://hamradiohawaii.wordpress.com. http://www.southgatearc.org. https://www.eham.net. Thanks for joining us today. Aloha es 73 de Russ (KH6JRM...