Simple Ham Radio Antennas

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browsers search box:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qs-iC5mTo9k .  This is post 2238 in a continuing series of simple ham radio antennas. Thanks to Callum (M0MCX) for this video on the theory and practice of wire antennas.  Wire antennas, if they are designed carefully, can bring you hours of adventure and fun at moderate cost. According to Callum, this video covers these areas: "Let's look at antenna basics. Height above ground, resonance, folding back elements and more. Thanks to the Telford and District Amateur Radio Society for hosting my talk. 73. Callum." ----- 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/ http://www.hamradioupdate.com. http://www.southgatearc.org. https://oahuarrlnews.wordpress.com. https://hamradiohawaii.wordpress.com. https://bi...

If you can't see this video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o74VTSaBGwU .  This is post 2237 in a continuing series of simple ham radio antennas. Despite the varying fortunes of HF propagation, the 10 meter Amateur/Ham Radio Band remains useful for enjoyable mobile and home station contacts.  Antenna design and construction for this band are often cheap and easy. In this video from the "HamRadioConcepts" youtube channel, we see how locally available materials can be used to make a useful 10 meter mobile antenna which can be deployed for both home and portable use. Here are some comments from the video producer: "My $3 Melbourne, FL Hamfest find, a 3 dollar 20 meter hamstick, and i reworked it for 10 meters. This video is to show the newcomer or the seasoned operator WHY it is fun to experiment and homebrew. This is what the hobby is all about. You don't need a ton of money, just a little bi...

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4pqwfvBUgU .  This is post 2236 in a continuing series of  simple ham radio antennas. Thanks to N0KTZ for this excellent introduction to the theory and practice of making radials for vertical antennas.  A good ground radial or counterpoise system is necessary for your vertical antenna to operate at maximum efficiency.  Well-done, easily understood tutorial. Here are some general comments from N0KTZ: "Make your vertical antennas more efficient by making ground radials the appropriate length. I use an easy wire jig for sizing and tuning one set of 15 radials to work for 20, 40 (and ~80) meter ham bands. IMO: The best is to have separate sets of radials cut to a 1/4 wavelength. I’m building all of my portable vertical HF antennas as Quick Deployment/MULTI-BAND use for Parks On The Air activations, remote camping, field day setups,...

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVnIwyXRVGA .  This is post 2235 in a continuing series of simple ham radio antennas. I've always dreaded the soldering tasks associated with coaxial cable and other wires used for HF antennas.  I suppose lack of practice and the proper tools may have given me years of burned finger tips. But, thanks to Vernon of "The Radio Mechanic", I've managed to reorient my thinking on this vital radio-related task. Vernon's explanations and demonstrations are clear, concise, and easy to follow.  This video would make an excellent club presentation. ----- 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/ http://www.hamradioupdate.com. http://www.southgatearc.org. https://oahuarrlnews.wordpress.com. https://hamradioh...

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqJrm0OffiM .  This is post 2234 in a continuing series of simple ham radio antennas. Pedestrian mobile is an interesting way to expand your Amateur/Ham Radio horizons. All you need are about 6 meters/19.68 feet of wire, a telescoping fiberglass mast, a homemade antenna "tuner", and a portable HF transceiver. In this video from Australian radio amateur Peter Parker (VK3YE), we see a simple antenna made from locally available parts. Peter designed the antenna as a 1/8 wavelength 40 meter antenna and a 5/8 wavelength 10 meter antenna.  Proximity to a large body of water (such as beach or lake) will help your signal immensely. ----- 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/ http://www.hamradioupdate.com. https...

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMchB-bML98 .  This is post 2233 in a continuing series of simple ham radio antennas. Thanks to Kevin Loughin (KB9RLW) for this clever stealth antenna.  Kevin says he needed another disguised antenna for his experiments.  So he came up with this simple, yet effective design. Key components include a 9:1 balun, an antenna "tuner", 58-ft/17.68-meters of antenna wire, and 40-ft/12.195-meters of wire for a counterpoise. If you live in a deed-restricted property (HOA/CC&R), Kevin's idea may get you on the air. ----- 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/ http://www.hamradioupdate.com http://www.southgatearc.org. https://oahuarrlnews.wordpress.com. https://hamradiohawaii.wordpress.com https://bi...

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o43sAF4HwJs .  This is post 2232 in a continuing series of simple ham radio antennas. End-fed half wave and random length antennas are great for portable and emergency operations, if they are matched to the impedance of your HF transceiver.  In many cases a decent match will not be found without an antenna "tuner."  According to W8JI, the impedance "can be 6850 ohms on 80 meters, decreasing to 1360 ohms on 10 meters." In this well-produced video, Ray of the "Radio Workshop" shows us a simple circuit that will match the high impedance of your long wire antenna to the relatively low impedance of your HF Transceiver. Ray offers these remarks: "How to construct an aerial tuning unit for use with end fed aerials, including inverted L antennas. A simple L-match ATU for the short wave amateur ham bands which is inexpensive a...