Posts

New Ham Shack Part 3, Audio Breakout Cable. Post #690.

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If you're having trouble viewing this video, please insert this title link into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/PaxSetTYIh8.  This is part 3 of Randy Hall's (K7AGE) New Ham Shack project.  Randy recently moved to coastal Oregon and has been documenting his efforts to set up new antennas, build a new ham shack, and more efficiently connect all of his equipment.  In this superbly done video, Randy begins the set up of his audio system.  He first shows us how to deal with the DIN connectors at the rear of his Kenwood TS-2000 for audio and input and output.  The connections are made easier by using a homemade audio connector breakout box that he made for his transceiver.  There are lots of good ideas in this video series.  To access parts 1 and 2, please visit https://www.youtube.com/user/K7AGE/videos.  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!  Aloha es 73 de Rus

Simple Ham Radio Antennas--W5DXP's Antenna Web Page. Post #689.

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W5DXP's Antenna Web Page (http://www.w5dxp.com). Accessed on 15 February 2016, 03:37 hrs, UTC . Author:  Cecil Moore (W5DXP). Cecil Moore (W5DXP) offers the homebrew antenna enthusiast some innovative and cleverly-made antenna projects.  Here are some of Cecil's great projects: W5DXP's  no tuner All- HF Band Antenna. Useful modifications to the popular ZS6BKW Antenna. A multi-Band 33-foot / 10.06-meters Dipole Antenna . Half-extended Double Zepp Dual Band Antenna. NoTuner Shortened Folded Dipole Antenna. Rotatable Dipole for 40 m-6m. Current Distribution on Antenna Systems . Cecil also has included several articles on mobile antennas and antenna transmission systems.  Lots of good ideas in this section. 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!

Simple Ham Radio Antennas--Rat Tails and Counterpoise adapters for VHF Rubber Duck Antennas

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If you're having trouble viewing this video, please insert this title link into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/3-JqK7w_1d8. If you're disappointed in the performance of the stock antenna that came with your HT, then this video is for you. Most "rubber duckie" antennas that come with HTs offer only marginal performance.  A way to boost the efficiency and range of that stock antenna is to attach a "Rat Tail"/"Tiger Tail" counterpoise to your HT's antenna connection. The "Rat Tail" becomes a "virtual ground plane" which enhances performance and could extend your HTs range by 30 to 40 percent. This video shows you how to make a VHF counterpoise for your HT out of common materials that can be found in your "junk box" or at the nearest hardware store.  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 wit

Simple Ham Radio Antennas--Six Meter Folded Dipole Antenna. Post #687.

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If you're having trouble viewing this video, please enter the title link into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/qbje13U6hC4.  In this video, Claude Jollet (VE2DPE) shows us how to make a simple, six meter folded dipole antenna, which is suitable for portable or emergency use.  Claude made this six meter folded dipole antenna out of ladder line, fed with ladder line, and matched with a step down 4:1 coaxial balun at the bottom of the transmission line.  The antenna is cut to resonate at 50.4 MHz.  According to Claude, the SWR is below 1.3 t 1 between 50.0 MHz and 51.0 MHz.  This antenna is small enough to keep in your vehicle or backpack. 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--Updated Don's 2 Meter Extreme Dream Beam Antenna

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If you're having trouble viewing this video, please insert this title link into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/i1Ne7bwBZr4.  This 5-element circular loop-yagi would make an excellent club project for Field Day or portable use. According to KG5APR and AE5UN, you can find all the pieces of this antenna at the nearest hardware store or building supply outlet. If you build this antenna with care, you can realize a theoretical gain of 14dB.  The video shows you how to build the antenna, provides a parts list, and gives you analyzer stats fro frequency and SWR.  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).

KD4SAI's Antenna Calculator. Post #685.

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KD4SAI's Antenna Calculator (http://www.qsl.net/kd4sai/ antenna .html). Accessed on 11 February 2016, 03:46 hrs, UTC . Author:  Roland Bousquet (KD4SAI). Thanks to Roland Bousquet (KD4SAI for this handy, easy-to-use Antenna Calculator.  This calculator can figure out the frequency and proper length of any antenna suitable for radio amateurs .  This simple, fill-in-the-blanks form can calculate the proper length of both half- wavelength and quarter-wavelength antenna elements.  This site also contains a link for an easy-to-use calculator for Cubical Quad Antennas.  Very useful program.  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 Essex radio ham still on-air at 100 Long-Time ARRL Vice Director, Honorary Vice Presid

Simple Ham Radio Antennas--6 Meter Portable Dipole - N7JFP. Post #684.

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If you're having trouble viewing this video, please insert this title link into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/iNLPQfVLqtM.  In this video, N7JFP shows us how to design, build, and use a simple 6 meter portable dipole antenna. N7JFP uses two small collapsible antennas for the dipole and various lengths of PVC pipe for the supporting structure.  He uses a MFJ-269 to do SWR tests.  According to N7JFP, a length of 51 to 52 inches/129.54 to 132.08 cm per side "will enable a usable SWR over the entire 6 meter band."  This antenna is small, compact, and easily assembled.  A list of materials is supplied at the end of this excellent video.  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).