Simple Ham Radio Antennas

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHK7kKsVVw0. Here's an interesting, unconventional antenna that could open an entire new world of radio listening.  In this video from Kevin Loughin (KB9RLW), we learn how to use what Kevin calls a "Ground Spike Antenna" to tap directly into the earth for LF and VLF signals.  Now that radio amateurs in the U.S. and elsewhere are able to transmit in the 630 and 2200 meter bands, antennas such as the "Ground Spike" could help you explore the largely untapped universe below the standard AM broadcast band.  Kevin does an excellent job of showing just how easy it is to tap LF and VLF signals by using the earth as a key antenna element.  Build one of these antennas and prepare for some unusual listening, courtesy of the earth itself. For the latest Amateur/Ham Radio news and information, please visit these websites: http://www.HawaiiARR

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uUVMaRFMv4. In this well-made video tutorial, Hiram Vazquez takes us step by step through the design, construction, and use of a Delta Loop HF Antenna.  As Hiram explains, delta loop antennas are fairly quiet on receive, show a bit of gain over a dipole antenna (about 3dB), take up little space, and are cheap to build.  Delta Loops can be both mono band and multiband, depending on how you feed the antenna.  If you use balanced feed line (300 ohm tv twin lead, 450 ohm ladder line, or home made 600 ohm balanced line) with a balanced "tuner", multiband use is possible. If you can use only one HF antenna on your property, the delta loop may be what you're looking for. For the latest Amateur/Ham Radio news and information, please visit these websites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. http://www.arrl.org. http://www.arrl.org/arrl-audio-news (a week

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch/v=uymwEzqgVAc. Over the next few weeks, I'll be featuring some interesting antennas that you can use for the upcoming ARRL Field Day on 23-24 June 2018.  Although many of my fellow radio amateurs will join their club at public parks, schools, and emergency operations centers for this annual communications exercise and popular contest, some of us (including yours truly) will be operating a single station on battery or solar power in whatever space we can find. In such situations, our antennas must be versatile, sturdy, and easy to erect.  In this report from "VideosByDPF", we see an excellent "one-man" ham station using a variety of antennas, including the Chameleon Hybrid Mini and the P-Loop Magnetic Antenna.  This video was shot at the 2016 ARRL Field Day when propagation was beginning its slow decline from previous years.  Despite t

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwMb6dHEnII. Vertical antennas are a good choice for many portable and home ham radio stations. But, how well do these antennas actually perform in the field?  In this video, N5CFB, KG5PWA, and K5ACL test three popular vertical antenna designs.  While all antennas performed well, some were easier to match and operate than others.  Interesting "live" test. For the latest Amateur/Ham Radio news and information, please visit these websites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. http://www.arrl.org. http://www.arrl.org/arrl-audio-news (a weekly podcast which is updated each Friday afternoon). https://hamradiohawaii.wordpress.com. https://bigislandarrlnews.com. https://amateurradionewsinformation.com (Amateur Radio News & Information). Be sure to check the blog sidebars for more antenna and propagation articles. Thanks for joining us today. Alo

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=)3LMlp3oq1w. Antenna research continues forward as radio amateurs take advantage of newly permitted operations in the 630 meters and 2200 meters (475 kHz and 137 kHz) amateur radio bands.  As this video from "hellozerohellozero" points out, size isn't the only concern of those operating far below the standard broadcast band.  Weather and other environmental issues can make use of these new bands a bit challenging. In this video, we get a glimpse of what one Alaska (KL7) ham is doing to keep his low frequency antennas operational.  All of this takes place with a stunningly beautiful look at Alaska's natural beauty.  Enjoy! For the latest Amateur/Ham Radio news and information, please visit these websites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. http://www.arrl.org. http://www.arrl.org/arrl-audio-news (a weekly podcast which is updated each Frida