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=vjONoKY_dSc&ab_channel=vk5la This is post 2424 in a continuing series of simple ham radio antennas. Do you need a simple, efficient, and highly portable antenna for the 6 Meter Amateur Radio Band?  If the answer is yes, then this Japanese-designed "Hentenna" from VK5LA is for you. Here are some comments from VK5LA: Hi, I needed a quick and dirty 6 Meter antenna for portable and field day. Internet research came up with this...so I built it. The centre support mast is a 6 meter long collapsable "squid pole" fishing rod (only extended about half), and the spreaders top and bottom are 10mm wooden dowels. Imagine an 8 metre rectangle loop of wire (3+3+1+1 =8) suspended by the dowels and fed about .1 wavelength up from the bottom wire..viola!!! Try http://www.hamuniverse.com/hentenna.html ------ For more information, please click the link above (...

If you can't see the video, please click this title URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2nh0Du58jg&ab_channel=OM0ET This is post 2423 in a continuing series of simple ham radio antennas. Thanks to OM0ET for this wonderfully simple, elegant, and effective multiband HF antenna. This antenna can be used at home and in the field. Here some general comments about this antenna: Hello! In this video I show you my homebrew multiband vertical portable antenna :) Me and Paul OM0WT went to try it in the field how will this antenna perform. We were impressed! We had many QSO's and two special - India! This vertical worked also with 100W without any problem :) All european QSO's we was made with 20-50W max. I plan to improve more my design and then show it again. I hope you enjoy this video! 73 and please subscribe if you like ;) #multibandverticalantenna #portableantenna #homemadeantenna ----- 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=UAlPQbf0SV0&ab_channel=DXCommander This is post 2422 in a continuing series of simple ham radio antennas. If you want a simple, multiband HF antenna that doesn't require traps or an antenna "tuner", then the classic "Fan Dipole Antenna" may be what you need. Callum McCormick (the "DX Commander"- M0MCX) takes us step by step in making this basic, efficient HF antenna.  The antenna uses locally available materials and can be used both at home and on portable operations. Here are some general comments from Callum: I have built so many fan dipoles, I have now forgotten most of them! And I have never found the spacing between elements too critical either. Tune the longest one first (apparently) and it'll just work. Amazing fun. Balun Myths: https://youtu.be/q_Wn9c8HwcA Easy SWR: https://youtu.be/9GK0NAVltTE HEY! Subscribe he...

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cS5nlutY_L4&ab_channel=KevinLoughin This is post 2421 in a continuing series of simple ham radio antennas. If you want a bit more gain and bandwidth from your HF dipole, then try this 40 meter folded dipole design from Kevin Loughin (KB9RLW). Kevin takes us step by step through the design, construction, testing, and operation of this "classic" HF antenna. Here are some comments from Kevin: In all the years I've been playing radio, I've never built a folded dipole. Boy have I been missing out! These are amazing performers. Link to the 3D part for the center: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:361... My video on making the 4:1 Balun: https://youtu.be/l5rLI8FpM9g A few pages with technical info on folded dipoles: https://www.electronics-notes.com/art... https://www.w8ji.com/folded_dipole.htm https://www.qsl.net/w4sat/fdipole.htm If you...

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fY8XaxamIYU&ab_channel=KB9VBRAntennas This is post 2420 in a continuing series of simple ham radio antennas. Thanks to Michael Martens (KB9VBR) for this handy gadget which will support the center of your HF dipole through all kinds of weather.  Although commercially-made center dipole supports are available, you can build your own out of locally available materials for about $12 US. Here are some comments about the project, including estimated costs and a list of required materials. The dipole is a common antenna for the amateur radio operator; and with good reason- dipoles are easy to build and are proven performers. Recently I wanted to build a dipole but didn't have a center insulator. Instead of paying $25-45 and waiting days for delivery‚ I decided to build my own for about $12 using common parts (with the exception of the SO-239) and tools available a...

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFLprwd-L8k&ab_channel=RadioPrepper This is post 2419 in a continuing series of simple ham radio antennas. Sometimes, our antenna ideas just don't work.  In this video from the "RadioPrepper" youtube channel, we see how a great design often fails because of an unexpected environmental situation. This antenna was made to cover portions of the 6 meter amateur radio band, but failed to perform as designed.  The most likely suspect was the metal railing used to support the antenna. A wooden support (such as a chair) or some PVC pipe may have helped alleviate the issue. Here are some comment from the builder: Sometimes things don't work as planned. This antenna was supposed to work for the 6m FM band on 51.5MHz. It is actually a vertical dipole as a quarter wave antenna would have radials on the ground or at a 45deg angle for a 50 Ohm impedance. Di...

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gmrf2qLCWuw&ab_channel=John%28W2IU%29 This is post 2418 in a continuing series of simple ham radio antennas. Thanks to John (W2IU) for this short, inspiring video of his ultra compact ham station and antenna in a small New York City apartment.  Despite the limitations of his "antenna farm", John makes many contacts from this small ham station. John says it best in this comment: Here is the ham shack! No such thing as not enough space for an antenna! ----- Thanks for joining us today. Aloha es 73 de Russ (KH6JRM).