Simple Ham Radio Antennas

A Two Element HF Cubex Quad up at Mx (http://www.eham.net/articles/36339). Accessed on 21 June 2016, 00:53 hrs, UTC. Author:  Rob Norman (VK5SW). Please click link to read the full article. Comment: Although this is not a "simple antenna", you may want to build a HF Quad just to see how well your station signal improves.  In this post, Rob Norman (VK5SW) shows you step by step how to design, build, and erect a 2-element 20 meter quad. His excellent photographs make construction easy and efficient. This is not a project for a lone operator. You'll need help to build and erect this antenna. Rob was able to mount his 2-element quad on top of a 33-foot/10.06 meter homebrew mast with the help of two friends.  His results have been excellent.  This antenna would make an excellent weekend project.  You could either build it yourself from locally available materials or order direct from Cubex. For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please check out the blog

Real Time Band Conditions Website (http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2016/june/realtime-band-conditions-website). Accessed on 20 June 2016, 03:43 hrs, UTC. Source:  http://www.southgatearc.org. Comment: Most radio amateurs that pursue DX, contests, and special events have a variety of propagation tools to help them find the best bands and operating times. Here is another propagation tool that is simple to understand and easy to use...no complicated mathematical analysis or predictive tools are needed to get the status of propagation in your area. According to the website, "The information is not based on any software predictions or any kind of satellite based readings."  The tool uses an ionospheric sounding method called "HF Ionospheric Interferometry", which is similar to  the PolSAR system used by NASA. You can reach the website by going directly to:  http://www.bandconditions.com. For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please check out

If you're having trouble viewing this video, please insert this title link into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/b3hUpQvO38k. This is post #810 in a continuing series on simple ham radio antennas.  Tuning the narrow-banded magnetic loop antenna can be frustrating and time consuming.  Apparently, Ricardo Caratti (PU2CLR) has solved that problem with a magnetic loop antenna controlled by an arduino/infrared control box similar to a television remote. A very nice project which will help you enjoy your magnetic loop antenna without all of the trouble inherent in tuning this antenna. 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).

If you're having trouble viewing this video, please insert this title link into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/Cv_RnLpZ9gw. Another great video tutorial from Peter Parker (VK3YE).  In this program, Peter describes and demonstrates a 100 watt 7 MHz magnetic loop antenna suitable for apartment, portable, and emergency use.  Peter says "there are no hard to get parts or complex workshop skills needed to build this antenna."  Rather than use expensive air variable capacitors to bring the antenna into resonance, Peter uses a length of RG-213 coaxial cable for the task (1.85 meters/6.06 feet). The sliding capacitors measure approximately 6 cm x 8 cm (2.3 inches x 3.14 inches). 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).

If you're having trouble viewing this video, please insert this title link into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/ddbrweVlhCE.  At one time, I was one of many radio amateurs that couldn't work stations on 160 meters because of the large amount of horizontal or vertical space a dipole or quarter wave vertical for this band would occupy. In this video from Stan Gibilisco (W1GV), we learn how an "Inverted L" antenna can help you get on "The Gentlemen's Band."  Stan does a good job of explaining the general theory, construction, and use of an inverted L antenna, which can give you a decent signal, provided you use a good ground or counterpoise system along with the vertical and horizontal dimensions of this antenna.  If you feed this inverted L with open wire, ladder line, or television twin lead, you can get reasonable performance on all amateur HF bands from 160 through 10 meters.  Try to get the vertical element as high as you can and then stre