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Showing posts from January, 2021

70 cm Satellite Antenna-cheap and easy

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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=nEy7jNu8wMc This is post 2506 in a continuing series of simple ham radio antennas. How would you like to build a sensitive, effective 70 cm Satellite Antenna at minimum cost? You can build this antenna based on a design from Richard F. Crow (N2SPI) in just a few hours using many common materials around your home. A producer for "Branvini Films" explains just how easy it is to make a cheap, effective UHF Satellite Antenna: Here is Richard F. Crow, N2SPI's "Cheap Yagi for 70cm" from his 2006 article entitled, "Build this Cheap and Easy Satellite Downlink Antenna" on Amsat.org. I built this in one evening after dinner, and did a time lapse so you could see how easy this project reall is to build. Total cost is about $30. It's beam is made of foam poster-board and the elements are #8 AWG wire, and a radio connector. Here are

How to Build a 9:1 UnUn for Ham Radio

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If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser searchbox: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfnvqQeDLoQ If you use an end-fed "long" wire antenna for your HF operations, then you'll find this simple antenna accessory a most needed addition to your antenna system. According to "Tinker John" (W5CYF), this basic 9:1 UnUn is easy to make, inexpensive, and will take only a few hours to build. Here are some of John's comments: Simple and inexpensive to build the 9:1 end fed long wire antenna is a good antenna for both portable and home use. This antenna, like all antennas, has it advantages and disadvantage. You’ll see some of both in this how to video. Amazon Link for other suggested items that may be related to this video: https://www.amazon.com/shop/w5cyftink... ​ Royalty Free music courtesy of YouTube Creative Tools – Sioux Falls by Silent Partne ----- Thanks for joining us today. Aloha es 73 de Russ (KH6JRM).  

Quick and dirty 50 MHz halfwave wire 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=4_QpIpW8dR0 This is post 2504 in a continuing series of simple ham radio antennas. Thanks to Australian radio amatuer Peter Parker (VK3YE) for this simple, effective halfwave vertical antenna for 6 meters. Exploring the "Magic Band" with basic antennas can be a lot of fun.  The cost is moderate and materials are readily available for the antenna experimenter. Here are some of Peter's observations: Don't have an antenna for 50 MHz? Many people don't. Here's a quick half wavelength vertical that will get you on 50 MHz in no time. All you need is 3 m of wire (for the element), a support pole, a variable capacitor that goes up to about 60 pF (a lesser maximum like 20 pF would also be OK), a short section of 9mm dowelling and some extra wire for the coil and radial. I tested it on WSPR with VK3II 50km away as receiving. I was a similar stre

Stealth Indoor HF 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=5vq_4Kjb8Vo Radio amateurs living in deed-restricted homes and apartments often have difficult antenna problems. Josh Bloom, like many of his fellow ham operators, was able to get on the air with a bit of experimentation by stringing some wire around his room.  What this antenna lacks in efficiency is outweighed by its "stealthy' and nearly invisible presence.  Using digital modes with his ICOM-7300, Josh was able to make a 2500 mile/4050 kilometer contact. The important thing to remember is to never give up--a compromise antenna is better than no antenna. Here are some of Josh's comments: This is a very short video on my 10-75 meter wire antenna mounted inside my house due to my landlord. Works pretty well and very easy to do. I happen to be using JT8Call, but any digital mode would be fine. Voice could work, but make sure to keep the power reasonable

2 Meter VHF Quarter Wave Ground Plane 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=Vxft-rYHGDw This is post 2502 in a continuing series of simple ham radio antennas. Thanks to Michael Martens (KB9VBR) for this ultra simple, inexpensive, and effective antenna for the 2 meter Amateur Radio Band. Most of the materials for this afternoon project can be found locally. Here are some general comments from Michael: Are you looking for a fun and easy antenna project? The 1/4 ground plane might be just the ticket. This particular ground plane is constructed out of an SO-239 chassis connector, so the radiator is attached to the center conductor of the connector and the radials each come off the base. Resources: SO-239 Chassis Connector: https://amzn.to/2vWrddF ​ Iso-Tip Solderpro 90 kit: https://amzn.to/2PnzRtW ​ Support Ham Radio Q&A by shopping at Amazon: http://amzn.to/2kO6LH7 ​ Read my blog: http://www.jpole-antenna.com ​ Colophon: Camera

Survey of less-expensive multiband HF Vertical Antennas

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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=MGLcd9aR4S4 This is post 2501 in a continuing series of simple ham radio antennas. There are many ways to acquire a multiband HF vertical antenna.  Many radio amateurs (myself included) choose to learn from our mistakes by building our own vertical antennas. If you can't create your own HF vertical antenna, there are many commercial models available from cheap to expensive. In this video, David Casler (KE0OG) shows us some of the less-expensive commercial antennas that can produce excellent results at a modest cost. Perhaps some of these antennas will fit your station requirements. Here are some general comments from David: Oggie Mike, KB7HFS, asks for a recommendation for a new vertical antenna. He already has a radial field and a mount; his prior antenna was destroyed in a windstorm. He considers the Butternut HF-9V too expensive. We look on DXEngineering.com

A 144/440 MHz 17-foot-tall Master 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=PkVnxsrDQIo Thanks to Tracy of "Outdoors On The Air" for this excellent review of the dual band Comet GP-19 VHF/UHF antenna. The expense of a small tower only added to the superb performance of this antenna.  If you have the space and some extra cash, you may want to consider this antenna for your 2 m and 70 cm operations. Here are a few comments from Tracy: I recently installed a Comet GP-9 2 meter/70 centimeter dual-band ham radio base station antenna at my home. Watch to learn more about this fascinating, powerful antenna. ------ Thanks for joining us today. Aloha es 73 de Russ (KH6JRM).  

World's smallest Ham Radio receive 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=-SCiKpo_l40 This is post 2499 in a continuing series of simple ham radio antennas. Thanks to "Signal Search" for this detailed review of the somewhat infamous "Miracle Whip Antenna." You may want to consider this antenna if you live in deed-restricted housing (OHAs and CC&Rs). If this antenna doesn't work for you, try a magnetic loop or simple dipole antenna. A compromise antenna is better than no antenna at all. ----- Thanks for joining us today. Aloha es 73 de Russ (KH6JRM).  

Portable 40 meter vertical 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=IvOv5U7uUeg This is post 2498 in a continuing series of simple ham radio antennas. Thanks to Steve Palmer for this easily-made 40 meter antenna.  Most of the materials can be found locally at  moderate cost. Also, you can adapt this basic design for other Amateur Radio HF bands.  Don't forget to install a good ground radial or counterpoise system. Thanks for joining us today. Aloha es 73 de Russ (KH6JRM).  

Wire antenna into tree advice

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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=womonRP0WMw This is post 2497 in a continuing series of simple ham radio antennas. Deploying wire antenna into trees can be a mixed blessing.  On one hand, trees offer height and space above ground.  On the other hand, you can snarl a lot of wire on branches if your aim is off. In this video from "Ham Radio CQ", we see several ways of getting your wire antennas into trees without making too many mistakes.  The suggestions outlined in this video can save you time and frustration. Here are some general comments from the author: https://HamRadioCQ.com for more of MY VIDEOS!!! 🔥 As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 👍 Sling Shot 4 tree Antenna: https://amzn.to/2SRCDZT 👍 Arborist Throw Box: https://amzn.to/2SSwJr8 👍 Throw Bag2: https://amzn.to/2BVfNt1 👍 Tree Antenna Weight: https://amzn.to/2Fvj6dS 👍 MFJ 917 Manual Antenna Tuner

Best Vertical HF Antennas

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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=gbOYngwRgVU This is post 2496 in a continuing series of simple ham radio antennas. If you can't build your own HF vertical antenna, then these 5 commercially-made verticals may be what you need.  All of these antennas reviewed by the "Top Compared" website exhibit low SWR, are durable, and can be used for several Amateur Radio bands. Here are the recommendations: For More Details►► https://topcompared.com/electronics/b... Good Luck! Top compared Best Vertical HF Antenn are: 1. Comet Original Vertical HF Antenna 2. Super Vertical HF Antenna 3. Super Antenna MP1LX Vertical HF Antenna 4. Super Antenna MP1LX MAX 5. Super Antenna MP1DXG HF ------ Thanks for joining us today. Aloha es 73 de Russ (KH6JRM).  

Top Loaded HF Vertical Antenna with ground tuning

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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=P7lxt8EatDw This is post 2495 in a continuing series of simple ham radio antennas. If you have space limitations, a top-loaded vertical antenna may solve your radio problems.  Coupled with a good ground system, a top-loaded vertical can perform quite well. In this video, Australian ham Peter Parker (VK3YE) erects a simple top-loaded vertical over the ocean and gets some great contacts. Here are some comments from Peter: Don't have much height but have something metal underneath? If so a top loaded vertical is a great antenna to try. Just 10 metres wide and 5 metres tall it will even load up on 3.5 MHz. Especially if you're over salt water, you're unlikely to get anything better for its size. The key items needed include wire, two poles, a simple antenna coupler (an L-match is fine), something to clip onto the counterpoise railing and a ground tuning u

Can you lay your wire antenna on the ground and make contacts?

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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=T7q4rMXfRoI This is post 2494 in a continuing series of simple ham radio antennas. If you want the most stealthy HF antenna in your neighborhood, please try this idea from Gil of the "RadioPreppers.com" youtube channel.  On-the-ground antennas have been used by radio amateurs for years with varying results. In this video, Gil tests the concept during the daytime on 80 meters. Given the right conditions, such antennas can perform very well.  Mike Toia (K3MT) developed the "Grasswire Antenna" for portable and emergency use.  Just enter "K3MT Grasswire Antenna" into Google Search to find out how Mike made this antenna work. With a little luck, you'll soon have the ultimate stealth HF antenna...out of sight, out of mind. ----- Thanks for joining us today. Aloha es 73 de Russ (KH6JRM).  

End Fed Half Wave Antennas-Tips and Tricks

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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=PKJ77POxQdE Thanks to Peter of the UK-based "Watersstanton" ham radio dealer for this excellent, informative, and helpful guide to improving the performance of your half wave HF antenna. According to Peter, this video offers "some things you can do to get more fun out of an End Fed Half-Wave Antenna." Most of Peter's suggestions are simple and inexpensive.   ----- Thanks for joining us today. Aloha es 73 de Russ (KH6JRM).