Posts

Simple Ham Radio Antennas--Folded Unipole Antenna Video by Nott Ltd. Post #680.

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If you're having difficulty viewing this video, please insert this address into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/NHR8cZaMc8k.  Although this exceptionally well- produced video by Broadcast Engineer Ron Nott is focused on a folded unipole antenna design for standard broadcast transmitters, there's much to be gained by building this antenna for the 160 meter Amateur Radio Band.  Both frequency bands have much in common and improvements for the AM broadcast band in the United States (540 kHz to 1750 kHz) can easily be translated into improvements in for 160 meter antennas.  The folded unipole antenna is smaller in height and offers a certain amount of broadbanding without a severe loss of efficiency.  Try out this proven broadcast band antenna on 160 meters--I think you'll be surprised just how good it is.  For the latest Amateur Radio news and developments, please check out the blog sidebars.  These news feeds are updated daily.  You can follow our blog community w

Simple Ham Radio Antennas--Conical Monopole Antenna. Post #679.

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If you're having difficulty viewing this video, please insert this address into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/sScrfbf0uIg.  If you need a simple antenna which delivers broader bandwidth than a basic vertical, then the conical monopole may be your solution. In this video, Stan Gibilisco (W1GV) explains the theory, design, and construction of this intriguing antenna. Although this antenna is a bit more complicated than a vertical, it won't take too long to duplicate Stan's design and have it operating by the end of the day. Take your time and be sure to lay out a good ground radial system.  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 tapping into the blog RSS feed.  Thanks for joining us today!  Aloha es 73 de Russ (KH6JRM).  

Simple Ham Radio Antennas--Hustler 4BTV Vertical Antenna Assembled. Post #678.

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If you're having trouble viewing this video, please insert this address into your browser's search box: https://youtu.be/GxRIBUVO9aE or simply insert the post title in your search box. The Hustler 4BTV four-band vertical antenna is a popular choice for those radio amateurs who want a reliable, effective vertical antenna at a reasonable cost.  In this video, WE5I shows us how to assemble the 4BTV vertical antenna, step-by-step in real time.  This antenna is easy to assemble and offers excellent performance when you connect the antenna to a "comprehensive" ground radial system.  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).

Simple Ham Radio Antennas--Part 2 - Ham Radio Antenna Radials. Post #677

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If you're having difficulty viewing this video, please insert this address into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/zV4Li_G4Vo.  This is part 2 of a tutorial on the use of ground radials in a vertical antenna system.  "Hamradiocrazy" continues his explanation by emphasizing the importance of a ground radial system in maintaining the efficiency and increasing the performance of a ground mounted vertical antenna--in this case, a Hustler 4BTV HF vertical antenna. The video shows how to make a solid connection to the DX Engineering ground plate and how to pin the ground radial wires in place. This video shows six, 45-feet/13.1 meter radial wires connected to the ground plate at the bottom of the vertical. In the case of ground-mounted verticals, the more radials the better, although conventional wisdom suggests that 32 radials cut to a .2 wavelength is the point of diminishing returns.  The video is clear, easy to understand, and covers most of the practical issues i

Simple Ham Radio Antennas--Part 1 - Ham Radio Antenna Radials. Post #676.

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If you're having difficulty  viewing this video, please insert this address into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/1qEnBtWV-6c.  One of the important things to remember about installing a ground-mounted HF vertical antenna is to provide for a good ground radial system.  The ground radial system supplies "the missing half" of your vertical monopole.  A good DC ground system may not be a good RF ground system.  In part 1 of this 2-part series, "hamradiocrazy" shows us how he installed a support base for his Hustler 4BTV HF vertical, how he planned his radial field incorporating the DX Engineering ground radial plate, and how he laid out his wire for the radial system.  Excellent tutorial.  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 R