Simple Ham Radio Antennas

If you're having trouble viewing this video, please insert this title link into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/TV3Cj2J3T20.  If you want an easy to build, effective, portable antenna covering the 40, 20, and 10 meter amateur radio bands , then Peter Parker (VK3YE) may have what you need.  In this well-produced video, Peter shows us how to build a full-sized half wave antenna for 20 meters and a loaded half wave antenna for 40 meters using the same length of antenna wire.  The antenna will also work well on 10 meters.  According to Peter, "a broadband transformer replaces the antenna coupler...its only disadvantage is its bandwidth on 40 meters", which "is somewhat narrow (150 kHz )."  Peter says he based this antenna on commercial models marketed by Par End-Fed Antennas.  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 su

fDiXNnimcRY If you're have trouble viewing this video, please insert this title link into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/fDiXNnimcRY.  Here's another interesting way to launch a full quarter wave vertical for 160 meters--use a kite!  In this video, VK5ZVS uses a French military kite, a suitable length of 7X 7 stranded steel wire (1.2 mm thickness), a tuner, a low power transceiver, and a ground connection to hoist his 160 meter antenna into the air.  He made several 25 watt SSB contacts on 160 meters. Most of the materials can be bought from the nearest hardware store or home improvment outlet.  It's important to have a good ground radial or counterpoise system for this vertical to work safely and efficiently.  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. Aloha es 73 de Russ (KH6JRM).

If you're having trouble viewing this video, please enter this title link into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/dpoZT8TOHsM.  Here's an interesting way to launch a 160 Meter vertical antenna .  In this video, K0RU, W9RNY, and W9SN use a helium filled balloon to support a 3/8 wavelength vertical antenna for 160 meters .  The antenna is 207-feet/63.10-meters long, has 4 ground-mounted radials, and uses a "tuner" at the base of the antenna.  This trio of friends says the performance of this antenna is quite good.  Before you try this antenna on  "top band", collect a few friends to help you and get permission from the FAA and FCC if you'll be using a balloon to support your antenna near an airport.  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 Russ (KH6JRM). Related articles Why Modern Makers Are Bringing Back Ham Radio

If you're having trouble viewing this video, please insert this title link into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/V6PcR1mXpt0.  Every amateur radio station should have a "dummy load" as one of its basic test instruments.  Dummy loads or "Phantom Antennas" allow you to test transceivers off the air without creating unnecessary interference. In this well-produced video, Tony Milluzzi (KD8RTT) shows us how to make a simple, inexpensive dummy load that is usable up to 25 watts--perfect for testing QRP or portable radio gear.  You can get the resistor from your "junk box" or from http://digikey.com/product-search. This would make an excellent club project.  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 trouble viewing this video, please insert this title link into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?=uuD2mBZKHOg.  Here's another great idea for a 160 meter HF antenna for restricted spaces.  Steve Ellington (N4LQ)'s original idea consisted of a 100-ft/30.48 meters wire run up a tree to an approximate height of 50-feet/15.24 meters and then run horizontally to a Rohn 50-ft/15.24 meters mast. Steve later extended the antenna to 200-ft/60.97 meters.  He used a workshop to house his antenna relay system, tuner (MFJ-998), test equipment, and endpoint for his extensive counterpoise wire system.  The video does an excellent job of displaying this versatile antenna and how it connects to his counterpoise system and main station in his home. 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 Russ (KH6JRM).