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=uYLKy8wKeCI. If you want to experiment with a different kind of amateur radio antenna, you may find this video from Stan Gibilisco (W1GV) interesting. Stan calls this variation of the classic "Lazy H Antenna" the "Perky "H" Antenna. According to Stan, this antenna is "a broadside array comprising of two vertical folded dipoles fed with ladder line."  You should get a good bi-directional pattern with some gain. If you want more information on the "Lazy H" family of curtain arrays, please check out "The Lazy 'H' Antenna" by Dave Newman (NA4L) at this site: http://www.hamuniverse.com/na4llazyhantenna.html. For the latest Amateur/Ham Radio news and information, please visit these websites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. http://www.arrl.org. http://www.blubrry.com/arrlaudionews/ https://oahua...

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oc_L5xpEpxo. Thanks to Tom of "Practical Engineering Solutions" for this timely project which will help you ground your antenna to an actual earth ground and provide an extra measure of lightning protection. Tom's presentation is clear, concise and easy to understand.  Build one of these grounding boxes and protect your equipment from the forces of Nature. For the latest Amateur/Ham Radio news and information, please visit these websites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. http://www.arrl.org. http://www.blubrry.com/arrlaudionews/ 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=O9FLgWoyfsY. Every ham radio station needs a dummy load.  This piece of equipment allows transmitter testing and adjustment with minimal RF energy. In this well-organized video from Randy Hall (K7AGE), we get a step-by-step tutorial on how to make an inexpensive QRP dummy load capable of handling 20 watts input. The device is small enough to put in your knapsack or "go-kit". Here are the materials needed for this project: "Parts needed: 8x 100 ohm 3 watt metal film resistors 1x 1N5711 diode 1x 0.01 uF capacitor BNC or SO239 connector Elecraft sites: http://www.elecraft.com/mini_module_k... http://www.elecraft.com/manual/E74006... Ebay diode http://www.ebay.com/itm/172427456902?... Ebay resistors http://www.ebay.com/itm/322171242623 " ------------------------------------ For the latest Amateur/Ham Radio news and informati...

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jlvtJqoC98. This intriguing, easy-to-understand video from Matt Herre has convinced me to build a simple, inexpensive Yagi Antenna for my local 2 meter activity.  What makes this project so much fun is that Matt is using materials found around his home and resorts to only simple tools to build this handy emergency/portable antenna. Here's Matt's general description of his latest antenna project: Challenged myself to build a usable Yagi style antenna for the 2 Meter (2M - 144MHz) amateur radio band. The challenge part is that I wanted to use stuff I had lying around, and I wanted to build it using the fewest possible tools. Definitely no electric powered tools, so that this could be replicated in an emergency, no-power situation. It's a PVC boom and uses standard 12GA electrical circuit wire for the elements. Everything is assembled using w...

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBb4B1K6WjM. A key component of your "bugout" bag or emergency "go-kit" is  the antenna. In this well-made video from "SurvivalComms", we get a simple step-by-step tutorial on how to design, build, test, and use an easily made, inexpensive VHF/UHF antenna for portable or field use.  Most of the components can be found locally, in your "junk box", or from fellow radio amateurs living nearby. The antenna is compact and folds easily into a small bag or knapsack--perfect for operations "in the field".  Why not make one of these antennas for your "go-kit" or for emergency use at your home station? For the latest Amateur/Ham Radio news and information, please visit these websites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. http://www.arrl.org. http://www.blubrry.com/arrlaudionews/ https://oahuarrlnews.wordpress...

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yH0zKNNGa0s. Thanks to Kevin Loughin (KB9RLW) for this amazingly simple, cheap, and high performance vertical antenna.  Kevin originally designed this homemade antenna for the ARRL Field Day, where the accent is placed on emergency power, quickly made antennas, and the ability to handle contacts in a simulated emergency setting. Materials for this portable vertical HF antenna can be found at the nearest building supply outlet or neighborhood hardware store.  If you have extra coaxial cable and a telescoping fiberglass mast, your construction phase will go fairly quickly.  Why not make one of Kevin's antennas for your "go-kit" or for portable, "in-the-field" expeditions to the nearest park or recreation area? Also, you could make this antenna for home use, should your regular HF antennas be out of service. For the latest Amateur/Ha...

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaTCXQSu9B4. Stan Gibilisco (W1GV) does an excellent job of explaining the pros and cons of Balanced and Unbalanced Feed Lines, or what Stan calls "symmetrical vs asymmetrical feed lines."  Each type of feed line has both advantages and drawbacks, depending on what kind of antenna you use. For monoband use, a coaxial cable feed line is often the best solution.  However, if your antenna is designed for multiple band use, a balanced feed line such as 450 ohm ladder line, 300 ohm television twin lead, or even homemade 600 ohm balanced line used with a wide-range antenna transmatch (i.e. "tuner") is often the better choice from the standpoint of line loss and SWR. For the latest Amateur/Ham Radio news and information, please visit these websites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. http://www.arrl.org. http://www.blubrry.com/arrlaudionews/ htt...