Simple Ham Radio Antennas

If you can't views this video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9PLgWoyfsY. Randy Hall (K7AGE) has produced another fascinating and easy-to-follow tutorial for radio amateurs.  This time, Randy takes us step-by-step in making a 20 watt QRP Dummy Load.  The material list is simple and readily available from several Amateur Radio stores and distributors.  You may have some of these components in your "junk box." Material list: 8 X 100 ohm 3 watt metal film resistors. 1 X 1N5711 diode. 1 X .001 uF capacitor. BNC or SO239 connector. The dummy load even has a test meter to measure the voltage used in your QRP transceiver.  A very nice weekend project. For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please visit these websites: http://www.Hawaii ARRL.info. https://oahuarrlnews.wordpress.com. https://bigislandarrlnews.wordpress.com. http://www.kh6jrm.info (breaking news for radio amateurs). Othe

If you can't view this video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KswsesN79e8. The ARRL 2017 Field Day is approaching, with the emergency communications event set for Saturday and Sunday, 24-25 June 2017.  If you want to make an effective multiband HF antenna for those days, check out this video from the Montrose Amateur Radio Club which designed, built, and used an antenna on site for the 2013 ARRL Field Day. Notice the use of 450 ohm ladder line and the antenna "tuner" to get multiband coverage. For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please visit these sites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. https://oahuarrlnews.wordpress.com. https://bigislandarrlnews.wordpress.com. http://www.kh6jrm.info ( breaking news for radio amateurs ). Other sites of interest: http://hawaiisciencedigest.com (science and technology news for radio amateurs). https://hawaiiintelligencedigest.com (trends in geopol

If you can't view this video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFbJ7xym_Dg. Here's part two of "DENMONKEY's" 40 meter delta loop antenna.  In part 1, we gathered the materials, worked out a practical design, and began attaching the stranded electrical fence wire to the delta loop design.  In part 2, we get ready to finish the construction and begin testing of the antenna.  Delta loops are simple, low noise antennas that can readily be applied to NVIS (near incident skywave) operations, Field Days, or other portable communications requirements. For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please visit these websites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. https://oahuarrlnews.wordpress.com. https://bigislandarrlnews.wordpress.com. http://www.kh6jrm.info (breaking news for radio amateurs). Other sites of interest: http://hawaiisciencedigest.com. https://hawaiiintelligencedigest.com (trends in geop

If you can't view this video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWIsU1Sy3NY. Full-wavelength HF loop antennas are especially useful in high noise, urban areas.  A Delta Loof HF Antenna, whether it is a monoband project using 50 ohm coaxial cable as the feedline or a multiband affair using balanced feedline to feed the antenna, is a worthwhile project that will reward you with plenty of contacts. The antenna is fairly quiet and is a perfect antenna for NVIS (near vertical incident skywave ) applications. In this video, "DENMONKEY" provides a useful, easily understood tutorial on how to make a simple 40 meter Delta Loop HF Antenna from common materials found at the nearest home improvement or hardware store . In part 2, we'll see how our preparation pays off, as the antenna is raised to its operational height. For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please visit these websites: http

If you can't view this video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_0jBKFNTs. How about some antenna experiments during the upcoming ARRL 2017 Field Day Communications exercise on 24-25 June 2017?  In this video, we see how a group of radio amateurs used a long wire antenna supported by a helium -filled balloon for contacts on 40 meters during the 2016 ARRL Field Day held north of Vero Beach, Florida .  The antenna worked very well.  If you're really ambitious, try a 160 meter end-fed wire supported by a helium-filled weather balloon .  Don't forget the counterpoise/ground radial system, a 9:1 balun , and an antenna "tuner" to round out the antenna package. For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please visit these websites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. https://oahuarrlnews.wordpress.com. https://bigislandarrlnews.wordpress.com. http://www.kh6jrm.info (breaking news for radio amateur

If you can't view this video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnN0NVGqtKQ. One of the more tedious chores in building an efficient, effective HF vertical antenna is the creation of a ground radial or counterpoise system. Putting in such a system is often time consuming and and frustrating.  In this video from Rich Rogers, we see how a simple edger can help you lay out a buried radial system that will increase the efficiency of your HF vertical.  Each groove takes about 10 minutes to dig.  Ground or lawn staples will make sure your radial wires stay in the ground.  A good weekend project that will improve the performance of your HF vertical antenna. For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please visit these websites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. https://oahuarrlnews.wordpress.com. https://bigislandarrlnews.wordpress.com. http://www.kh6jrm.info (breaking news for radio amateurs ). Other sites of

2m Yagi for SOTA (http://www.dxzone.com/cgi-bin/jump2.cgi?ID-32621). Author:  Matt (K0MOS). Accessed on 04 April 2017, 00:25 hrs, UTC . Please click link or insert title URL into your browser search box to read the full article and to see the accompanying video. Comment: The Summits on the Air (SOTA) program has grown considerably over past few years, with more radio amateurs than ever strapping on their packs to make contacts from nearby peaks.  Lightweight gear and simple  antennas are a must. However, not all antenna designs that look good at ground level can actually stand up to the rigors of backpacking to high peaks. Although the 2 meter Yagi antenna used by Matt (K0MOS) did the job, it practically fell apart when he used it atop a tall peak.  The video record of Matt's antenna adventure in the mountains is a cautionary tale for all of us depending on a few pieces of wire to maintain communications. As one responder to his article mentioned, Matt would hav