Simple Ham Radio Antennas

This is part 3 of Randy's (K7AGE) tutorial on using a 2 meter handheld transceiver (ICOM IC-V80 Sport HT). In this segment, Randy explains how frequency, offset, and tone are programmed into your HT so that you can enjoy the many features of local FM repeaters. Randy also describes how to program memory channels into the popular ICOM IC-V80 Sport HT and how to recall them. The video is well-done, clear, and easy to follow. For the latest Amateur Radio News and Events, please check out the blog sidebars. These news feeds are updated daily. Thanks for joining us today! You can follow our blog community with a free email subscription or by tapping into the blog RSS feed. Until next time, Aloha es 73 de Russ (KH6JRM).

Here's part 2 of Randy's (K7AGE) series on getting started on Ham Radio 2 meter FM . In this easy to follow video, Randy shows you how to program the popular ICOM IC-V80 Sport HT, how to get on the air quickly, and to how to use the basics of FM operating to your best advantage. Randy's videos can be used as basic a basic 2 meter tutorial for newly-licensed hams or to refresh the memories of some of us old timers who don't use 2 meters as often as we should. Overall, Randy has done a good job of covering the essential operating protocols for the 2 meter Amateur Radio band. 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 . Until next time,Aloha de Russ (KH6JRM).

Are you a newly licensed amateur radio operator and want to get on 2 meter FM with a minimum of hassle and problems? Then, this well-produced video by K7AGE is for you! Even though I've been an amateur radio operator since 1977, I always learn something new about the hobby by consulting hams who've been in the hobby for many years. K7AGE is an excellent "elmer" (mentor) and takes you step by step into the world of 2 meter FM using the popular Icom IC-V80 Sport VHF hand held transceiver. This is part 1 of a three-part study of 2 meter FM. For the latest Amateur Radio News and Events, please check out the blog sidebars. These news feeds are updated daily. Aloha es 73 de Russ (KH6JRM).

This short video by M0VST covers most of the basics involved in making an effective longwire antenna, covering the amateur radio bands between 160 to 10 meters . I've built several of these "longwire" antennas and have found that an ATU ( antenna tuner ) and a good counterpoise system really help to produce a quality signal. Unlike M0VST's "longwire antenna", my version was cut to a length of 67-ft/20.42 meters, enough to cover amateur radio bands between 80 and 10 meters. My counterpoise system was a compromise arrangement consisting of four, quarter wave radial wires for each band of use (80, 40, 20, 15, and 10 meters). I also attached a "quarter wave radial bundle" to the ground lug of my trusty Drake MN-4 ATU. I used approximately 60 ft/18.29 meters of 450 ohm ladder line as the antenna feed line. The ladder line was attached to a W9INN 4:1 balun. A 6-ft/1.82 meters length of RG-8X with UHF connectors ran from the balun to the wi

I admit it. I tend to procrastinate too much these days, always delaying a simple project because something else gets in the way. But not today. I've been looking for a simple, inexpensive hand-held 2 meter/70 cm yagi satellite antenna for working the SO-50 and other FM radio satellites. With the number of microsats, Cubesats, and edu-sats in orbit these days, there is no excuse for not building your own antenna for these "birds". Most modern handhelds can be used to contact these satellites with a decent antenna. So, following some of the advice given by Dave Tadlock in this video, I decided to collect the necessary materials for this ultra simple antenna. Fortunately, I had most of the materials at the QTH and was lucky enough to have a neighborhood True Value store not far from my home. The antenna works quite well when I can time the passes correctly. At times, my arm gets a bit tired, but that issue can be solved with a camera tripod or some other device