Simple Ham Radio Antennas

If you're having trouble viewing this video, please insert this into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/9xfpcD6xuSo.  This is an updated review of the 40 and 80 meter double bazooka antennas made by IAC Antennas (http://www.iacantennas.com) from Rob Wagner (VK3BVW).  The antenna is a quality product that stands up well to environmental conditions.  Although you can make a double bazooka yourself, you may prefer this commercially tested and guaranteed product from IAC Antennas.  The antenna is a bit heavy, so strong supports are needed to maintain the structural integrity of your antenna installation.  Mount the double bazooka antenna as high as you can get it.  I've seen these antennas during various ARRL Field Day events.  The performance of double bazooka antennas on 80 and 40 meters is impressive.  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 fre

If you're having trouble viewing this video, please insert this URL into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/za3xQs6wAR0. Nice homemade video by Dominic Smith on how to install a ground radial system for a vertical antenna...in this case the popular Hustler 6-BTV.  The important thing to remember is to install as many radials as you can.  The radial field supplies the missing half of your vertical antenna.  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 difficulty viewing this video, please insert this address into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/QX9iwNOPSmI.  In this video, Andy Reynolds shows us a simple way to pull cable through a long underground pipe.  Andy's method involves some simple equipment, including a vacuum cleaner, some strong fishing line, and some plastic bags. This procedure can also be used to pull coaxial cable/feedlines from your outdoor antenna to your shack. Before you attempt this, be sure there are no buried gas or electrical lines in your work area.  It may be a good idea to use black plastic conduit to thread your cables, so utility crews won't mistake it for their own buried lines.  Although Andy used this approach to connect another solar array to his already existing solar power system, the same approach could be used for feeding a remotely located antenna on your property.  Be sure the coax you use is rated for outdoor and underground use.  Good luck! For the lat

If you're having trouble viewing this video, please insert this into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/psUdNEfDIc4.  Here's another antenna idea for those of us living in HOA and CC&R communities.  "Supra2424" is using a "stealth" antenna comprised of a LDG S9v31 fiberglass support pole (31-feet/9.45meters), 24 ground radials made from CAT 5 cable, and LMR 400 coaxial cable as the feed line . The antenna is raised upright during operating hours and lowered when activity is over.  Supra2424 says the antenna is painted green, so it blends well into the surrounding vegetation.  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 Tackling Cellphone Signal Boosting in a 9-Story Condo Complex Jer

If you have difficulty viewing this video, please insert this into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/SOpdXHnzIA. An interesting variant on the familiar Inverted L antennas used for the lower amateur radio HF bands (160 meters, 80 meters, and 40 meters). Stan Gibilisco (W1GV) does a good job of explaining the general theory behind random wires and how to use them for effective HF antennas.  This "backward inverted L antenna" would be useful for amateurs who have their operating station on the second floor or higher in their homes or apartments. I haven't been active on 160 meters because of space limitations, but, with this design, that situation will change.  A few months ago, Dean (KH6B) gave me a pre-assembled 160 meter inverted L antenna to conduct experiments at my new QTH in the Puna District of Hawaii Island.  Unlike my present rental home, this property has one-acre of space to erect a nice antenna "farm."  Thanks to several tall trees and my t

If you're having difficulty in viewing this video, please insert this into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/ztwLdIm6wsM.  A simple, easy to understand tutorial on how to design, build, and use a 40 meter vertical antenna .  Jack Demaree made this video after deciding to repair and rebuild his original 40 meter vertical (the one in the video) after several years of use.  Jack used locally available materials, including a short length of schedule 40 PVC pipe , an aluminum plate, a 30 ft./9.14 meters length of 3 inch/7.62 cm diameter irrigation pipe, 60 quarter wave radials, a top hat consisting of three, 18 inch/45.72 cm rods, and a 50 ohm coaxial cable feedline.  With careful trimming, Jack didn't need an antenna transmatch ("tuner") to cover the 40 meter amateur radio band . This simple 40 meter vertical antenna will also work on the 15 meter amateur radio band, using the 3rd harmonic of 40 meters.  An antenna transmatch would be helpful for this band,

Antarctic and Subantarctic expedition videos | Southgate Amateur Radio News : This page is brought to you in association with The Southgate Amateur Radio Club (UK). (http://www.southgatearc.com/news/2015/november/antarctic_and_subantarctic_expedition_videos.htm). Accessed on 24 November 2015, 04:26 hrs, UTC. Page last updated on: Sunday, November 22, 2015 Antarctic and Subantarctic expedition videos. Mehdi, F5PFP, has put together a great list of Antarctic and Subantarctic expeditions videos available on the Web. Check them out: 3Y0PI : Cape Eva Camp - Peter I Island https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYRy94cFK4M FB8AX : Port Martin - Antarctica (From 3minutes 50 seconds to 26mn 50s in french language) http://www.canalu.mobi/video/cerimes/antarctique.9055 FT5XO : Port Jeanne d'Arc - Big Island of Kerguelen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXJgL8ukIuA FT5YJ: Port Charcot - Wandel Island, Antarctica https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=poMxAnKhzwM LU/FT5YJ : Almir