Simple Ham Radio Antennas

If you're thinking about a "SOTA" (Summits on the Air) mini-DXpedition, please consider this easily built portable antenna from the "SOTAGoats" video channel (W7TAO). A simple inverted Vee antenna fed by ladder line into a simple antenna transmatch (i.e. "tuner") can produce some excellent contacts once you're away from urban areas. The antenna can be made from readily available materials at a modest cost. If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6AP3DJ4fqA Here are some comments from the "SOTAGoats" website: By request, a short video to show my favorite homebrew SOTA antenna from the top of W7W/WH-162. Also, a guest appearance by my newest morse code paddle. ----- Thanks for joining us today. Aloha es 73 de Russ (KH6JRM).  

Thanks to Larry (WD0AKX) for this simple, cheap, and effective way to improve the performance of your HT. The secret ingredient to improved HT performance is the addition of a counterpoise or "tiger tail" the antenna attachment. Larry shows you how build and use this useful tool for improved HT performance. If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szmQmCn1tH4 Here are a few comments from Larry (WD0AKX): You can boost the performance of most any hand held type VHF/UHF radio or hand held scanner radio by adding a counterpoise. This makes up the missing half of the dipole antenna for the radio, giving you a full half wave antenna system. For actual testing of this antenna, Kevin Loughin did a great video on his page, here is the link to that video:     • Ham Radio - 2 met...   ------- Thanks for joining us today. Aloha es 73 de Russ (KH6JRM).  

If you need a simple, effective HF NVIS (Near Vertical Incidence Skkywave) /Antenna to cover local and regional areas (up to 300 miles/480 kilometers), then try this design from the "SurvivalComms" video channel. The antenna is easily-made with locally available materials, and is suitable for both home and field use. If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OyWChzMzAtk Thanks for joining us today. Aloha es 73 de Russ (KH6JRM).  

A well-organized, easy-to-understand discussion of antennas for the 160 meter Amateur Radio Band ("Top Band"). The main limitation of using the 160 meter Amateur Radio Band is the long lengths of antenna elements required to operate on the band.  A basic dipole antenna for this band is quite long, while verticals dedicated to "Top Band" can be as tall as MW broadcast towers. In this video from Ray (G4NSJ), we learn how to use an end-fed antenna to get on 160 meters with a usable, effective signal. If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SejOH52Wk9s Here are some comments from Ray (G4NSJ): In this video, I chat about an end-fed wire aerial for top band, the 160 metre ham band. It's a great amateur band but not so good when it comes to aerials. A half wave antenna is 80 metres long! IMPORTANT: Amateur radio licensees must comply with the ICNIRP general public limits of EMF. I will ...

How to build a simple, effective, cheap 10 meter dipole antenna. Kevin (AD0IM) and Bill (WA0CBW) take us step-by-step through the design, build, and test phases of simple dipole construction.  In this case, Kevin and Bill assemble a basic 10 meter dipole antenna suitable for both home and portable use. If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUTnAgbDdzs Here are some comments from Kevin (AD0IM): Bill (WA0CBW) and I build a 10m dipole without a balun or commercial center insulator. This video was meant for our club membership, but I decided to post it here as well. LInk to the wire clamps: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09... Link to the butt connectors: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07L21PL37?... ----- Thanks for joining us today. Aloha es 73 de Russ (KH6JRM).  

If you need an "efficient, rugged, waterproof, lightweight antenna" for emergency use or field operations, then please consider the OCF-40 Chameleon Antenna. According to Julian (OH8STN), this off-center fed dipole design would be ideal for portable use in SOTA (Summits On The Air) and POTA (Parks On The Air) activities. If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFN34devU1o Here are some observations from Julian (OH8STN): An off center fed dipole antenna might be the ultimate portable lightweight hf antenna available today. Let's take a look at the OCF40 from Chameleon Antenna. Hello Operators. There are times operating man-portable when efficiency and portability are of greater importance than riggedness. This lightweight and portable HF antenna is extremely efficient, weights nothing, and may become the primary antenna for an ultra portable option for a QRP field station. The antenna is ...

Could you make an emergency antenna with just the materials found in your home?  With this simple kit described by Josh Nass (KI6NAZ), you can turn most anything made from metal into a fully operational ham radio antenna. If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3c19QJVG_r4 Here are some comments from Josh (KI6NAZ):  Can you turn just about any metal into an antenna? With this kit you might be able to.  Contents of the kit can be found here: https://www.amazon.com/shop/hamradioc... The fabulous Tukk 2 can be found here. https://tacticalkeychains.com https://countycomm.com/products/titan... HamTactical.com is LIVE! HRCC Merch Monthly newsletter, stickers, private content: https://www.patreon.com/hoshnasi Links to products in the video: https://www.amazon.com/shop/hamradioc... As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Current Shack Config: ICOM 7300: https://amzn.t...