Simple Ham Radio Antennas

HF Long Wire Antenna Codan 403 (http://www.hf-ssb-transceiver.at-communication.com/en/codan/hf_ssb_antennas_c403.html). Accessed on 23 November 2015, 04:33 hrs, UTC . During my "career" as an amateur radio operator (since 1977), I've built a variety of antennas, including HF "longwires" designed to fit my property line and my portable operating requirements. Although these antennas are fun to make, they do take a lot of time to design and build properly, especially the winding and overall construction of the balun (usually 9:1).  The installation of a good ground radial or counterpoise system is important, too.  This type of antenna also requires an antenna transmatch ("tuner") to operate on amateur radio bands from 80 to 10 meters.  If you'd rather have a professionally built HF Long Wire Antenna that covers 2 to 30 MHz , you can't go wrong with antenna products from Codan--a manufacturer of mil-spec manpack transceivers and antennas

If you're having trouble viewing this video, please insert this URL into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/8ZmyvtMvEGY. Excellent antenna tutorial from Ray (G4NSJ).  In this video, Ray shows us how to design, build, and erect a simple doublet antenna that will cover amateur radio and shortwave bands between 40 and 10 meters.  The key to the success of this basic antenna is the use of open feeders such as 300 ohm television twin lead or 450 ohm ladder line to feed a dipole made up of equal lengths of wire. The ladder line achieves a better antenna element balance than coax -fed antennas and severely limits common mode currents found on coax-fed installations.  Just attach the balanced feeders to a balanced ATU (antenna tuning unit), adjust your "tuner" for the lowest SWR, and begin operating.  Over the past few years, I've learned to love balanced feed lines, since they can turn basic dipoles into multiband antennas.  My backup antenna at home is a 40

If you're having trouble viewing this video, please enter this URL into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/mtIFMNd9RnA. This is an interesting portable amateur radio tower made from stainless steel.  According to Scott Whitney, the tower is light, portable, and about 34 feet/10.36 meters long.  The tower is collapsible and can be stored in your garage or vehicle for emergency or portable use. You may need a friend to help raise this tower, given its height.  Raising the tower with a beam antenna and rotor attached may present a few problems as well.  Nonetheless, this tower is a nice piece of engineering and appears to be well-made.  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 email subscription or by tapping into the blog RSS feed.  Thanks for joining us today! Aloha es 73 de Russ (KH6JRM).

If you're having trouble viewing this video, please insert this into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/ANskuHor7zs. An excellent tutorial from Don, "ThePressMan", on how to build the "ultimate" 2 meter ham radio beam antenna with local parts.  Don claims this multi-element 2 meter beam delivers 12.5 dB gain over a dipole.  The video shows how to build this beam and what parts you will need.  Don also shows you how to use antenna analyzer data to improve performance and lower swr.  A nice weekend project.  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 email subscription or by tapping into the blog RSS feed.  Thanks for joining us today! Aloha es 73 de Russ (KH6JRM). Related articles QSO Today - Chuck Adams K7QO - CW at 140 WPM Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, to Keynote AMSAT Annual Symposium Banquet First Appalachian Robotics High A

If you're having trouble viewing this video, please insert this into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/HiADqGDB)Zk. Here's a simple homemade mast for the VHF/UHF amateur radio enthusiast. "MrFarallon" shows how to build and erect this antenna mast using common materials such as aluminum tubing and pine wood boards . The mast is a "tip up/down" antenna support. The antenna is a Comet  GP -15-Tri-bander covering 6 meters, 2 meters, and 70 cm. The antenna is fed with 75 feet/22.86 meters of low-loss LMR-400 coaxial cable.  If you choose to build this antenna mast, it would be a good idea to get some help in erecting and guying the mast.  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 email subscription of by tapping into the blog RSS feed.  Thanks for joining us today!  Aloha es 73 de Russ (KH6JRM). Related articles IARU em

If you're having trouble viewing this video, please insert this into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/G9mmLyFh7eY. A nice, well-produced video from Patrick Hock showing us how to build a 20/40 meter fan dipole suitable for those living in HOA and CC&R areas.  The antenna is erected in the attic, which makes it invisible to neighbors.  Be sure that you don't have metal shingles on your roof.  An antenna analyzer from either MFJ or Comet (more expensive than the MFJ) and a " dummy load " will help you adjust your antenna without putting a signal on the air.  This would make an excellent weekend project for those in deed-restricted homes or apartments.  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 email subscription or by tapping into the blog RSS feed.  Aloha es 73 de Russ (KH6JRM). Related articles Building a Simple Multiband

KE1Q's "Winch-It-Up" Universal Mast Launcher. (http://www.eham.net/articles/34910). Accessed on 17 November 2015, 06:24 hrs, UTC . Author:  Craig Lund (KE1Q). To view the entire article with step-by-step instructions and photographs, please insert this URL into your browser search box: http://www.eham.net/articles/34910. I found this fascinating article while I was searching for antenna mast ideas on the eham.net website. Although this not a "simple" antenna construction article, two people equipped with some basic tools, lumber from a home improvement store, and a few parts from a marine supply outlet should be able to design, build, and use this mast support in a few days of casual work .  Craig outlines this project in easy-to-follow-steps and illustrates the process with excellent photographs.  The completed project can be used for Field Day, vacation operating, or even at home.  The construction is sturdy and should stand up to the weather. For t