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Showing posts from July, 2015

Simple Ham Radio Antennas--HF Active Loop Antenna | Southgate Amateur Radio News. Post #504.

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HF Active Loop Antenna | Southgate Amateur Radio News : This page is brought to you in association with The Southgate Amateur Radio Club News and AMSAT - UK . Source:  http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2015/july/hr_active_loop_antenna.htm. Page last updated on: Thursday, July 30, 2015 HF Active Loop Antenna. Cross Country Wireless have released a HF Active Loop Antenna with a frequency range of 200 kHz to 70 MHz with extended coverage up to 148 MHz. The antenna can be for all LF, MW and HF professional monitoring and short wave listening. It can also be used for VHF FM reception and will give useful VHF airband reception when mounted outdoors. The antenna is a triangular loop antenna 1.3m (51") wide with a built-in low noise high dynamic range RF amplifier. A base unit allows 12V power to be fed up an ethernet cable feeder to the antenna. The antenna current consumption is 150 mA . The base unit also has a two way splitter to provide two separate RF outputs. Lo

Simple Ham Radio Antennas--How to use an Antenna Analyzer. Post #503.

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Excellent tutorial on how to use an antenna analyzer by Randy Hall (K7AGE). If you have trouble viewing this video, please insert the following URL into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/jOCG6bFGfuE.  In this well produced video, Randy shows us how to check your antenna for resonance and SWR with the popular MFJ-259/269 Antenna Analyzer.  This device makes antenna design and construction much easier.  Nice, basic instructional video.  For the latest Amateur Radio news and events, please check out the blog sidebars.  These news feeds are updated daily.  You can follow our blog community with a free e-mail subscription or by tapping into the blog RSS feed.  Thanks for joining us today!  Aloha es 73 de Russ (KH6JRM). Related articles Inexpensive and Simple Mono- or Multi-Band HF Ham Radio Antennas, by PrepperDoc How to tune a 10 meter dipole Re: wideband uniform gain horn antenna design/plans? *double ridged* "Molded Electronic Structures in Body-Mountable

Simple Ham Radio Antennas--Quick demo of my 2 meter home brew tape measure yagi. Post #502.

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A nice quick weekend project from "tmarinos". Tape measure yagi antennas for 2 meters are easy to build, test, and use. These antennas perform remarkably well, considering the material used--some coax, a few connectors, some PVC pipe , and some steel tape measures from the nearest home improvement or neighborhood hardware store . These antennas can be be used for Radio Direction Finding ("foxhunts") or for emergency and portable use.  The antenna described in this video works very well and didn't cost a lot of money.  You may have most of the antenna materials in your shack. For the latest Amateur Radio news and events, please check out the blog sidebars.  These news feeds are updated daily.  You can follow our blog community with a free e-mail subscription or by tapping into the blog RSS feed. Thanks for joining us today!  Aloha es 73 de Russ (KH6JRM). Related articles New Project: Skill Builder: The Best Ways to Cut, Drill, and Glue PVC Pipe Inexpe

Simple Ham Radio Antennas--Portable Crystal Radio using Loop Antenna and Pizza Box. Post #501

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If you have trouble viewing this video, please enter this URL into your search box: https://youtu.be/iunAvz9PbN0. An excellent tutorial on how to build a portable crystal radio using a loop antenna coil inside a pizza box.  The coil that the tuning/variable capacitor resonates serves as the antenna by being a very large coil.  According to the maker, "Rimstar.Org," radio stations are found by adjusting the tuning capacitor and pointing the face of the loop at a nearby radio station. This crystal radio uses a crystal earphone and a germanium diode (1N344, 1N60, 1N91, 1N270, 1N277, or a 1N283).  Silicon diodes can be used, but the antenna may need more wire to pick up a station.  For more details, visit the author's website:  http://rimstar.org/science_electronic.  Music in this video is "The Path of The Golden King", by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com).  For the latest Amateur Radio news and events, please check out the blog sidebars.  These news feeds are upda

Simple Ham Radio Antennas--Antenna Restrictions and Making Antennas Fit. Post #500.

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If you have trouble viewing this video, please insert the following URL into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/as5nVgicVxE. Where there's a will there is a way, especially where stealth antennas are concerned. Nancy lives in a community for people over age 55 and older.  Her home association banned her from putting up any kind of antenna.  John Amodeo (NN6JA), the producer of the hit television program "Last Man Standing," and his friend Julian Frost (N3JF) travel to Florida to see what they could do to make a 39-ft/11.89 meters antenna fit into a 23-ft/7.01 meters attic space.  The final product is neat, clean, and totally invisible.  Best of all, the highly modified attic antenna works and lets Nancy enjoy amateur radio without the stress of HOAs and CC&Rs forcing her off the air.  An great example of amateur radio operators heldping each other.  For the latest Amateur Radio news and events, please check out the blog side bars.  These news feeds are upda

Tutorial on the 80 meters amateur radio band. Post #499.

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If you have trouble viewing this video, please insert the following URL into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/TYlityjO5v8.  A nice, compact, easily understood tutorial on the 80 meters amateur radio band from the "OfficialSWLchannel."  The video covers the frequency spread of the band (3.500 MHz to 4.000 MHz), the modes used on 80 meters, and some antenna and operating suggestions.  A good basic review of this versatile slice of the RF spectrum.  For the latest Amateur Radio news and events, please check out the blog side bars.  These news feeds are updated daily.  You can follow our blog community with a free e-mail subscription or by tapping into the blog RSS feed.  Thanks for joining us today!  Aloha es 73 de Russ (KH6JRM), along the Hamakua Coast of Hawaii Island.

Simple Ham Radio Antennas--Coat Hanger 2 Meter Yagi Antenna. Post #498.

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If you have trouble viewing this video, please insert the following URL into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/fLOvSLXDudU. Another great antenna project from Dave Tadlock (KG0ZZ). This time, Dave uses common materials from around the house and workshop to design, build, and use a simple 2 Meter Yagi Antenna made from metal coat hangers .  Since metal hangers are getting rare these days, you can use brass rods, copper wire , or even the old aluminum elements from an outdoor television antenna .  I've built a few of these crude yagis in years past and have found them very useful on portable operations or in locations where I'm a good distance from a 2 meter repeater.  This would make an excellent weekend project.  Have fun!  For the latest Amateur Radio news and events, please check out the blog sidebars.  These news feeds are updated daily. You can follow our blog community with a free e-mail subscription or by tapping into the blog RSS feed .  You can also get

Simple Ham Radio Antennas--Ham Radio 2m Backpack Quad Antenna. Post #497.

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If you have trouble viewing this video, please insert the follow URL into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/IAiilzV8NpI. Excellent video tutorial from Dave Turlock (KG0ZZ) on how to build a simple, effective 2 meter backpack quad antenna for portable or home use.  You can use fiberglass rod, arrow shafts, or bamboo for the spreaders,  Some PVC pipe can be used for the boom.  The longest spreader on Dave's quad is 30-inches/76.2 cm and the boom measures 30 7/8-inches/78.40 cm.  Dave uses #18 AWG wire for the antenna and has trimmed the antenna so it's resonant at 146.20 MHz.  This would make an excellent weekend project.  The antenna will be directional.  Have fun!  For the latest Amateur Radio news and events, please check out the blog sidebars.  These news feeds are updated regularly. You can follow our blog community with a free e-mail subscription or by tapping into the blog RSS feed. Thanks for joining us today!  Aloha es 73 de Russ (KH6JRM).

Simple Ham Radio Antennas--Wifi antenna booster dish. Post 496.

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If you have trouble viewing this video, please enter this URL into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/VZKc3PBs67c. Great homebrew, do-it-yourself "Wifi antenna booster dish" for your home station.  This project from Matthias Wandel is simple, effective, and cheap.  Although Matthias uses a pan lined with aluminum foil, you could use a stainless steel pot of similar dimensions for the reflector and get some improved range.  This simple reflector would work well in an apartment complex where you are some distance from a router.  For the latest Amateur Radio news and events, please check out the blog sidebars.  These news feeds are updated daily.  You can follow our blog community with a free e-mail subscription or by tapping into the blog RSS feed.  Thanks for joining us today!  Aloha es 73 de Russ (KIH6JRM).

Introduction to the 15 meters amateur radio band. Post #495.

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Well-done video tutorial on the 15 meters amateur radio band from "OfficialSWLchannel." This popular ham band covers the frequency range of 21.000 MHz to 21.450 MHz.  The band is available to all classes of amateur radio operators.  Novice and Technician operators are restricted to the CW portions of the band.  This band is an excellent daytime DX band and sometimes stays "open" through the sunset hour.  Antennas are fairly modest and easily assembled.  A quarter wave vertical for 15 meters is approximately 11-feet/3.35 meters long.  A 40 meter vertical can often be used on its third harmonic to operate on 15 meters with some loss of signal due to a slightly higher angle of radiation.  For the latest Amateur Radio news and events, please check the block sidebars.  These news feeds are updated daily.  You can follow our blog community with a free e-mail subscription or by tapping into the blog RSS feed.  Thanks for joining us today!  Aloha es 73 de Russ (KH6JRM

Simple Ham Radio Antennas--How to make a LongWire Antenna. Post #494.

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If you have trouble viewing this video, please enter the following URL into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/-mY7z2xZ97k. An excellent tutorial from "natacus2007" on how to make a quick, cheap, and easy antenna for shortwave listening .  He covers basic soldering techniques and ways of using shrink tubing to protect the antenna from wear and the weather.  This is a receiving antenna, and, as such, a perfect 50-ohm match to a transceiver is not required.  Building a long wire transmitting antenna is an entirely different matter that requires a balun, an decent ground radial system, and an antenna transmatch (tuner).  This simple receiving antenna is designed to improve the reception of weak signals.  I've built a few of these antennas and they work as intended for my portable shortwave receivers.  For the latest Amateur Radio news and events, please check out the blog sidebars.  These news feeds are updated daily.  You can follow our blog community with a fre

Simple Ham Radio Antennas--Why dipole antennas are a half wave long. Post #493.

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If you're having trouble viewing this video, please insert the following URL into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/iInJkG8YPkA. A good general review of basic antenna theory for those just entering the amateur radio hobby.  Although the video is well done and easily understood, Carl Oliver fails to mention the role of the magnetic field, which contains the antenna current. Both the electrical and magnetic fields are required for radiation to occur.  Carl also states that full wave antennas will not radiate.  That's not necessarily the case.  The Extended Double Zepp is a full wave dipole-like antenna that does very well with a balanced tuner and 450 ohm ladder line.  Despite these shortcomings, Carl Oliver does a good job of outlining basic antenna theory for those just entering the hobby. Perhaps Carl has over generalized a bit.  He should probably do a follow up video incorporating subject areas he overlooked.  For the latest Amateur Radio news and events, please

Simple Ham Radio Antennas--My Isotron 10 Meter Ham Radio Antenna. Post #492.

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If you have trouble viewing this video, please insert the following URL into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/MxskjoxWi1A. I've always been fascinated by the Isotron line of vertical antennas . They seem to work fairly well despite some  criticism directed at there structure and limited bandwidth. I know a few hams living in restricted areas (HOAs and CC&Rs ) who use these capacitance-loaded antennas when they can't erect a full-sized antenna on their property.  In this "videosbymike" tutorial, we see how simple it is to unpack, assemble, and use this interesting antenna.  In this case, the antenna was erected about 20-feet/6.09 meters above ground on an apartment balcony.  The antenna was able to raise Santiago, Chile and Puerto Rico with little difficulty on 10 meters. The rig used was an old Radio Shack HTX-10 meter transceiver.  For the latest Amateur Radio news and events, please check out the blog sidebars.  These news feeds are updated daily.

Simple HamRadio Antennas--Amateur Radio Mast for G5RV Junior Antenna VK4FADI (Now VK4MAC). Post #491.

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If you have trouble viewing this video, please insert the following URL into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/yMCAYdcDXng.  An excellent mast setup tutorial from VK4FADI (now VK4MAC).  The "Dingo" post hole digger certainly makes the job easier.  This mast will stay put and will support a variety of antennas.  According to VK4MAC, the tip of  his mast is approximately 5.7 meters/18.6 feet above ground.  The mast can be extended if necessary. Presently, the well-placed mast is supporting a G5RV Junior Antenna in an inverted V configuration.  Well done, easily understood video.  For the latest Amateur Radio news and events, please check out the blog sidebars. These news feeds are updated daily.  You can follow our blog community with a free e-mail subscription or by tapping into the blog RSS feed. Thanks for joining us today!  Aloha es 73 de Russ (KH6JRM).

Simple Ham Radio Antennas--Microwave Antenna Demonstration - Episode 4. Post #490.

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If you have trouble viewing this video, please enter this URL into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/tZyPcM2Nm38.  This is part 4 of the microwave antenna demonstration from The Society of Amateur Radio Astronomers.  In this segment, we learn about Diffraction, 2-slit, Knife Edge Frensel Lens Antennas, and other related subjects.  Well produced and easily understood tutorial. This would make an excellent presentation to an Amateur Radio License Class or for a club presentation on microwave antennas.  For the latest Amateur Radio news and events, please check out the blog sidebars.  These news feeds are updated daily.  You can follow our blog community with a free e-mail subscription or by tapping into the blog RSS feed.  Thanks for joining us today!  Aloha es 73 de Russ (KH6JRM).

Simple Ham Radio Antennas--Microwave Antenna Demonstration - Episode 3. Post #489.

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If you're having trouble viewing this video, please enter this URL into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/HGM7jAphweY. This is part 3 of a microwave antenna demonstration from The Society of Amateur Radio Astronomers.  In this lesson, we learn about the following types of microwave antennas:  Ground Plane, Bent Ground Plane, Parabolic, Helical, Log Periodic, Vivaldi, Dipole with reflector, Loop, Square, and the J-Pole antenna.  This well-done video would make excellent supplementary material for an Amateur Radio License Course. For the latest Amateur Radio news and events, please check out the blog sidebars.  These news feeds are updated daily.  You can follow our blog community with a free e-mail subscription or by tapping into the blog RSS feed. Thanks for joining us today!  Aloha es 73 de Russ (KH6JRM).

Simple Ham Radio Antennas--Microwave Antenna Demonstration, Part 2. Post #488.

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If you have trouble viewing this video, please insert the following URL into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/CqKv31FNQOc.  Here is part 2 of the Microwave Antenna Demonstration series from The Society of Amateur Radio Astronomers.  In this segment, we learn about reflection, refraction, waveguides, and circular polarization.  An excellent introduction to microwave antennas and properties.  This video could be used as supplementary material for an Amateur Radio Licensing Course. For the latest Amateur Radio news and events, please check out the blog sidebar.  These news feeds are updated daily.  You can follow our blog community with a free e-mail subscription or by tapping into the blog RSS feed.  Thanks for joining us today!  Aloha es 73 de Russ (KH6JRM).

Simple Ham Radio Antennas--Microwave Antenna Demonstration - Episode 1. Post #487.

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If you have trouble viewing this video, please insert this URL into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/zgkLS3-XitA. This video from the Society of Radio Astronomers is an excellent introduction to microwave antennas and practices.  In this segment, you'll learn about basic microwave equipment, safety, Near/Far Field, Bandwidth, Gain, Inverse Square Law, and Linear Polarization.  Well done and easily understandable.  A good reference document or teaching aid for Amateur Radio License Classes.  For the latest Amateur Radio news and events, please check out the blog sidebars.  These news feeds are updated daily.  You can follow our blog community with a free e-mail subscription or by tapping into the blog RSS feed.  Thanks for joining us today,  Aloha es 73 de Russ (KH6JRM)>

Simple Ham Radio Antennas--Painter Pole Antenna - ham radio weekend project. Post #486.

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If you have trouble viewing this video, please insert this URL into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/eHHDdIXdMnI. This is a great antenna project for the weekend, courtesy of NG9D. Most of the material can be obtained from the nearest hardware or home improvement outlet.  This antenna resembles the commercially-made Budipole Antenna, but you make everything yourself.  All you need is some PVC pipe (for the center "T"), a telescoping fiberglass mast, two aluminum painter's poles, some #12 AWG household wire, some coax for the feed line, an optional antenna transmatch ("tuner"), and you're ready to go.  This video features a 10 meter QSO between NG9D in Plainfield, Illinois and WA4WKL in Pensacola, Florida .  NG9D is using the popular ICOM-IC-703 QRP rig running at 10 watts.  The report is 579 for both sides of the conversation.  The antenna works very well.  Have fun! For the latest Amateur Radio news and events, please check out the blo

Simple Ham Radio Antennas--Rebuild MFJ 1622 Apartment Antenna for Ham Radio HF. Post #485.

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If you have trouble viewing this video, please enter the following URL into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/hSOt9KRooek. Excellent antenna rebuilding project from the " North Carolina Prepper.  Like this ham, I have an old MFJ-1622 Apartment Antenna, which I use for portable and emergency situations.  When I saw this intriguing video, I decided that some overdue maintenance on this old, reliable base-loaded vertical was in order.  The large clamp was fine.  It attached easily to the railing of my lanai (outdoor porch) at my vacation home in the Puna District of Hawaii Island . The suggestions discribed in this video are easy to implement and will improve the overall efficiency of this small antenna.  First, I replaced the stock coaxial cable feed line with some RG-8X I had in the shack. Next, I cut a counterpoise wire for each band of use (40 meters through 2 meters), rather than use the one roll out counterpoise wire supplied with the antenna kit.  Band changes

Simple Ham Radio Antennas--2 minute portable HF vertical antenna: Using velcro tape for mounting. Post #484.

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Fascinating video by VK3YE on how to raise a simple fiberglass mast and attach it to a support using velcro tape.  The antenna can be a pure vertical with a ground radial system or an inverted V dipole.  The mast can be attached with a variety of items, including velcro tape, cable ties , Duct Tape , or even a few large eleastic bands used to secure camping gear .  This quick-erect HF vertical antenna is perfect for camping, portable operations, or emergency service .  Nice, compact system. For the latest Amateur Radio news and events, please check out the blog sidebars. These news feeds are updated daily.  You can follow our blog community with a free e-mail subscription or by tapping into the blog RSS feed. Thanks for joining us today!  Aloha es 73 de Russ (KH6JRM). Related articles Inexpensive and Simple Mono- or Multi-Band HF Ham Radio Antennas 2015 Emergency Field Day Exercises Ham radio operators test skills in Jackson Park Olivier ON4EI, back in Ireland W1AW/5 Wil

Simple Ham Radio Antennas--Ham Nation 56: Mobile HF Antennas. Post #483.

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Another outstanding program featuring Bob Heil (K9EID) and George Thomas (W5JDX) as they discuss going mobile, the legendary Gonset Communicator (pictured above), and the versatile Raspberry Pi Microprocessor.  The segment on mobile HF antennas is particularly well done.  For the latest Amateur Radio news and events, please check out the blog sidebars.  These news feeds are updated dailly.  You can follow our blog community with a free e-mail subscription or by tapping into the blog RSS feed.  Thanks for joining us today!  Aloha es 73 de Russ (KH6JRM). Related articles Raspberry Pi RF Breakout Kit (video) Essex Ham promote amateur radio Pico Space Balloon Circumnavigates the Globe, Twice Inexpensive and Simple Mono- or Multi-Band HF Ham Radio Antennas Wi-Fi proxy could thwart cops, spies from finding you Satellite Tracking / New rotor controller

The inventor that inspired Elon Musk and Larry Page predicted smartphones nearly 100 years ago - Yahoo News

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The inventor that inspired Elon Musk and Larry Page predicted smartphones nearly 100 years ago - Yahoo News : The inventor that inspired Elon Musk and Larry Page predicted smartphones nearly 100 years ago By Celena Chong, Yahoo News. 5 hours ago . Nikola Tesla was a famous 20th century Serbian-American scientist who is most famous for designing the alternating current (AC) electricity supply system. The world-famed engineer could speak in eight languages, had an eidetic memory and held 300 patents by the time he died. His name was borrowed for the red-hot car and energy storage company created by entrepreneur Elon Musk and he has been cited as an inspiration by Google co-founder Larry Page. It seems Tesla predicted the creation of the smartphone in a 1926 interview with John B. Kennedy . "When wireless is perfectly applied the whole earth will be converted into a huge brain, which in fact it is, all things being particles of a real and rhythmic whole. We shall be ab