Simple Ham Radio Antennas

If you're having difficulty viewing this video, please insert this address into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/RpE0Oghqpfk.  A short, basic tutorial from Dan Vanevenhoven on where to mount your mobile HF antenna for best operation.  Good, general information that will help you avoid common mistakes.  Before you begin your mobile HF antenna installation, be sure there's enough metal to establish a ground connection . Many modern vehicles have roofs made from composite plastics and other materials, which will make roof-mounted HF antennas poor performers.  Each location, be it roof, bumpers, or side panels has drawbacks.  So, plan accordingly.  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 HF versus VHF/UHF

472 kHz Antenna (http://www.george-smart.co.uk/wiki/472_kHz_Antenna). Accessed on 07 December 2015, 21:30 hrs, UTC . Author:   George Smart (M1GEO). In this post, George Smart (M1GEO) continues his work in the 630 meters section of the RF spectrum (472 kHz to 479 kHz).  In post #619, George described a simple, low-powered transmitter for 472 kHz.  In this article, George designs, builds, and tests a 472 kHz antenna that can be squeezed into your backyard.  George provides a basic design, calculation formulas, and graphs of antenna performance for his location.  Build this antenna and its low-powered transmitter, so you'll be ready when the FCC releases 472 kHz-479 kHz for radio amateurs in the United States . 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 7

If you're having trouble viewing this video, please insert this address into your browse search box: https://youtu.be/yrduVaP05u4.  While the ARRL is urging the FCC to release rules and regulations for the newly authorized 630 meter amateur radio band (472-479 kHz ), you can use this time to make a simple WSPR transmitter for this new ham band. This well-produced tutorial from M1GEO shows us how to design, build, and use a simple WSPR transmitter for the 630 meter band . Antennas for this band tend to be large, so some compromises must be made. Despite antenna size limitations and power restrictions, some radio amateurs have completed successful contacts on this new band.  The first step in becoming a member of the 630 meter community is to build this simple transmitter. Good luck!  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 tap

If you're having trouble viewing this video, please insert this address into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/MxZMTja0Hn0.  In this video, Marshall Diaz (W0OTM) shows us how to make a simple, portable, and effective vertical antenna out of a telescoping Cabela 16.5-foot/5.03 meters fiberglass crappie fish pole and some 1/4 inch wide/0.635 cm wide copper tape.  Although Marshall doesn't specify the band of choice for this quickly- made antenna, based on its telescoped length, I believe the vertical would work for 20 meters. This antenna resembles the commercially available Solarcon A-99 antenna using copper tape instead of of copper wire for the radiating element.  Coupled with a suitable radial or counterpoise system, this antenna will give you many hours of DX chasing.  Fed with 300 ohm television twin lead or 450 ohm ladder line into a balanced tuner, this 20 meter vertical antenna could be used successfully between 20 and 10 meters. Related articles

If you're having difficulty viewing this video, please insert this address into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/7PR2ExR7mX0.  Good basic tutorial from Stan Gilibisco (W1GV) on how Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) affects Amateur Radio communications. Stan explains the origins of EMP, why it can disable communications (especially digital equipment), and how to protect your amateur radio equipment from EMP.  You may want to build a Faraday Cage for your rigs and other sensitive equipment.  It's always a good idea to disconnect your antenna after use. Unplug all power supplies and auxilary equipment from your rig after you sign off.  Be sure you have a good electrical and rf ground.  These simple steps will also offer some protection from lightning.  As a hedge against another Carrington Event (1859--wiped out many telegraph stations), you may want to buy a tube transceiver in case a super solar flare destroys the finals in your modern, solid state rig.  Hopefully, the sat