Simple Ham Radio Antennas--Random Wire Antenna Lengths. Post #781.

Random Wire Antenna Lengths
(http://www.udel.edu/~mm/ham/randomWire/).
Accessed on 21 May 2016, 06:33 hrs, UTC.
Author:  The University of Delaware.

Comment:

A properly designed random wire antenna is a joy to use.  It's portable, inexpensive, and easy to store.

However, there are a few design parameters that you must follow if you want to use random wire antennas.  This easily understood tutorial from The University of Delaware will give you the key design basics for this antenna.

Among the topics discussed are:  The antenna lengths to avoid and the importance of using a ground radial or "counterpoise" system.  For best results, use at least a 1/4 wavelength antenna for each band you use.  An antenna transmatch (i.e. "tuner") and a ground radial system will keep rfi out of your shack and improve the efficiency of the random wire.  If you want multiband capability from 80 meters through 10 meters, consider using the original design from W3EDP.  This antenna is an off-center fed dipole with element lengths of 84-feet/25.92 meters and 17-feet/5.18 meters.  You can find an article on the W3EDP antenna in the "pages" category in the left hand sidebar of this blog.  Don't be afraid to experiment.  You can learn a lot from building your own antennas and accessories.

For the latest Amateur Radio news and events, please check out the blog sidebars.  These news feeds are updated daily.

Thanks for joining us today.  Aloha es 73 de Russ (KH6JRM).

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