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Showing posts from November, 2020

How to camouflage a vertical antenna

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If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXyA03YtKqQ&ab_channel=OutdoorsOnTheAir This is post 2435 in a continuing series of simple ham radio antennas. If you ever wanted to conceal your ham radio antenna from nosey neighbors or the local HOA/CC&R group, then this camouflage idea from "Outdoors On The Air" could be of interest. Thanks to some paint and a number of trees, this vertical antenna is well hidden from peering eyes. Be sure the paint you select doesn't contain metal particles--they may hamper antenna performance. ----- Thanks for joining us today. Aloha es 73 de Russ (KH6JRM).  

DX Commander Portable Ham Radio Antenna Build

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If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIxDChJplVc&ab_channel=K8MRDRADIOSTUFF This is post 2434 in a continuing series of simple ham radio antennas. Callum McCormick's (M0MCX) "DX Commander Expedition Portable Ham Radio Antenna" is certainly a fascinating multiband vertical antenna.  In this video, Mike (K8MRD) and a few friends show us another way of building this impressive antenna, from unboxing the package to final performance tests. Here are a few comments and additional antenna links from Mike (K8MRD): A complete build of the DX Commander Expedition Ham Radio Antenna. DX Commander: https://www.youtube.com/m0mcx DX Commander website. https://www.m0mcx.co.uk Link to the DX Commander Expedition: https://www.m0mcx.co.uk/store/product... I may make a small commission on purchases made through the following links: Bioenno BLF-1203W: https://amzn.to/3bXsRhP Bioenno BLF-1203AB: ht

Prototyping an experimental antenna, part 2

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If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hi3Cu-JAgy0&ab_channel=KevinLoughin This is post 2433 in a continuing series of simple ham radio antennas. In part two of this experimental antenna project, Kevin Loughin (KB9RLW) completes his homemade indoor antenna and conducts a few on-air tests. Radio amateurs living indeed-restricted housing (HOAs/CC&Rs) should find the video interesting. Here are a few comments from Kevin: Had an idea. So here I am building a proof of concept rough prototype. Part two is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDSQk... If you like my videos, please subscribe here: http://www.youtube.com/user/loughkb?s... If you want me to keep making more videos like this, consider becoming my patron at Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/kb9rlw/ Discuss this and other videos on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kb9rlw/ Hit me up on the echolink repeater down by my house: W9TE (Nod

Ham Radio-Prototyping an experimental antenna

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If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hi3Cu-JAgy0&list=PLWQT8OuqHj_zmhqAbVHk87oNRnZubLf_B&ab_channel=KevinLoughin This is post 2432 in a continuing series of simple ham radio antennas. Radio amateurs living in deed-restricted housing (HOAs/CC&Rs) will find this video from Kevin Loughin (KB9RLW) most interesting. Kevin does an excellent job of prototyping a few antenna designs for indoor or stealth use.  Kevin offers a few suggestions on how to build, test, and operate his experimental designs. All you need are a few inexpensive materials and the desire to build and test a few basic designs.  A compromise antenna is better than no antenna. Here are a few comments from Kevin: Had an idea. So here I am building a proof of concept rough prototype. Part two is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDSQk... If you like my videos, please subscribe here: http://www.youtube.com/user/loughkb?s...

Homebrew Slinky Ham Radio Antenna

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If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jo0QB83tdkQ&ab_channel=W5CYF%2FTinkerJohn Amateur Radio operators have used a variety of "experimental" antennas for their home and portable operations.  Among the more curious materials used for HF antennas is the "Slinky Dipole Antenna" based on the popular children's toy. In this video from "Tinker John" (W5CYF), we see how this expandable steel wire helix can be used as an emergency HF antenna. Because of the complex impedances involved, it may be best to use a balanced feeder (450-ohm window line) and a wide-range antenna "tuner" to keep SWR low and efficiency as high as possible. Here are some general comments from W5CYF: A step-by-step look at building a low cost (under $10) dipole antenna. The question is...will it work? Suggested items that may be related to this video: https://www.amazon.com/shop/w5cyftin

7 Ideas For Indoor Antennas

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Many radio amateurs face severe antenna limitations because of limited space or deed restricted housing (HOAs/CC&Rs). Properly designed and built indoor antennas offer a solution to help you stay on the air, be it VHF/UHF or HF bands. Here are seven indoor antenna designs compiled by the DX zone that could help you pursue Amateur Radio without interference from nosey neighbors or deed enforcement committees ( https://www.dxzone.com/7-ideas-for-indoor-antennas/): Indoor Indoor antenna de F6CYV IW5EDI Indoor wire antenna project for 7 Mhz band, basically a bent dipole antenna, design based on a project by F6CYV RockLoop Antenna G3YCC A Compact antenna for 10, 14 & 21 MHz Bands. A multiband portable and indoor antenna suitable for QRP operations based on an original idea by W9SCH that described this small loop in Sprat 60. 5 Band Indoor Magnetic Loop G4IZH A indoor magnetic loop antenna that covers 20 17 15 12 and 10 meters band with a 3 meter lenght of 22 mm copper tube by G4IZH

Random Wire Solution for an "Indoor Shack"

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If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxDijG9g0dM&ab_channel=stanscoyote This is post 2429 in a continuing series of simple ham radio antennas. Thanks to "Stancoyote" for this upbeat, inspirational antenna project for radio amateurs  impacted by deed-restrictions on their property (HOA/CC&Rs). A properly designed random wire combined with a UnUn balun and a wide-range "tuner" can often get you on the air when nothing else will. Here are some general comments about the antenna from Stan: If you are antenna challenged and need to keep a low profile, then a small gauge random wire is often the answer. However, if your shack is deep inside your house, how do you avoid RFI when connecting your rig to the end of the antenna? Here's how I handled it. --------------------------- Thanks for joining us today. Aloha es 73 de Russ (KH6JRM)  

Attic Mounted HF Loop Antenna in HOA

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If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYd0l-PEPR8&ab_channel=HamRadioConcepts Radio amateurs living in deed-controlled homes, apartments, and condominiums face serious and often discouraging antenna scenarios. In this video from Eric of "HamRadioConcepts", we see how a simple HF Loop Antenna mounted in your attic can get you on the air. The important thing to remember is "Never give up." Here are some comments from Eric: I went to my friends house to check out his setup and get him up and running on some HF digital modes. A lot of hams are struggling in an HOA with antennas outdoors. I have some plans to go back to his house with some new ideas for stealth outdoor antennas, and some more tests with other options in his attic. But for now, John has worked more DX stations on PSK31 and FT8 from his attic mounted antenna then a lot of other hams have all year. patreon.com/hamradio

Double Bazooka Antenna

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If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gfjEs2jYj8&ab_channel=Mark19960 This is post 2427 in a continuing series of simple ham radio antennas. Thanks to Mark for this excellent step-by-step tutorial on how to build a Double Bazooka Antenna. The basic Double Bazooka Antenna is an efficient, broadbanded, and quiet single-band antenna that doesn't require a balun.  You can make the antenna with good quality RG-58 coaxial cable.  Multiband operation is possible with an antenna transmatch (i.e. "tuner"). For more detailed information on the Double Bazooka Antenna, please go here: hamuniverse.com/bazooka.html. ----- Thanks for joining us today. Aloha es 73 de Russ (KH6JRM).  

5 Great Multiband Wire Antennas.

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Five Great Multiband Wire Antennas. Views expressed in this antenna summary are those of the reporters and correspondents. Source:  https://www.dxzone.com/multiband-wire-antenna-projects/ This is post 2426 in a continuing series of simple ham radio antennas. Accessed on 21 November 2020, 2233 UTC. I ran across this article while pursuing some antenna research on "The DX Zone" web site. These home made HF antennas are simple, inexpensive, and often times "elegant." My favorites include the W5GI Mystery Antenna, the 6-Band Windom Antenna, and the H-Pole Vertical Antenna. Here are the top five wire antennas from the "DX Zone" website: Multiband Wire Antennas Wires antennas are since ever the more practical and cheapest aerials that hams can build. We selected five among the most interesting multiband  wire antennas  may provide inspiration for your own creativity. W5GI Mystery Antenna W5GI W5GI Mystery Antenna is a multi-band wire antenna that performs except

Simple Dual Band DX Vertical Antenna you can make

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If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLGQNjQ4LVg&ab_channel=watersstanton This is post 2425 in a continuing series of simple ham radio antennas. Thanks to Peter of "Waters & Stanton" in the UK for this perfect antenna project during the COVID-19 pandemic. With a little investment of time and a few locally bought materials, you can have a compact, efficient HF antenna covering the 20 and 15 meter Amateur Radio bands. Space requirements for this antenna are modest, so you can build the vertical in your back yard or garden. ----- Please stay safe during the upcoming holiday season.  Stay home and build some easy ham radio projects that will complement your station.  This antenna from Peter is an excellent choice for "stay-at-home" mandates. Thanks for joining us today. Aloha es 73 de Russ (KH6JRM).