Simple Ham Radio Antennas

If you're having trouble viewing this video, please insert this title link into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpxLATs0FIo. Nicely-done, easily understood video from John Saunders (VK4BZ).  John discusses simple, effective antenna systems for portable amateur radio operations, especially those involved in the SOTA (Summits On the Air) program.  John offers some valuable suggestions on how to build light-weight, inexpensive antennas for SOTA and other portable operations.  Some of these ideas could be useful for radio amateurs living in HOA/CC&R controlled homes or apartments. For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please check out the blog sidebars.  These news feeds are updated daily. Opinions expressed in this blog are mine unless otherwise stated. Thanks for joining us today! Aloha es 73 de Russ (KH6JRM).

you If you're having trouble viewing this video, please insert this title link into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WSmuDFWJcK. A good video presentation of a Lazy H Antenna that covers 13 MHz to 30 MHz, including the 27 MHz Citizen's band.  The video also offers some valuable tips on how to configure the 450 ohm ladder line used as a balanced feed line.  This video recommends using an external 4:1 current balun with your antenna transmatch (i.e. "tuner") to get multiband capability.  You may need some help in erecting this antenna, but the effort will be worth it in the modest gain you get from the Lazy H. This is post #841 in a continuing series of articles and videos discussing amateur radio antennas. For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please check out the blog sidebars.  These news feeds are updated daily. Opinions expressed in this blog are mine unless otherwise stated. Thanks for joining us today! Aloha es 73

If you're having trouble viewing this video, please insert this title link into your blog search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YyZbQEUtyE4. This is post #840 in a continuing series on Amateur Radio Antennas. Another great and easily- followed antenna tutorial from "Tinker John" (W5CYF).  This simple portable antenna is perfect for backpacking or portable operations from a public park, beach, or even your backyard. John uses a few Dollar Tree earphone cases, some surplus wire, and a few inexpensive items from his ham shack to build a very effective portable QRP antenna.  The cost of wire has increased significantly over the past few years, so you may have to visit a few "garage sales" to get the wire you need.  You can use a telescoping, fiberglass mast to support the antenna in a horizontal, sloper, or inverted vee configuration.  A great antenna idea. For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please check out the blog sidebars.  These news f

If you're having trouble viewing this video, please insert this title link into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8Zh1_Mntz0.  Another well-done video tutorial from Peter Parker (VK3YE).  In this video, Peter uses a 20 meter half square antenna to get some good DX at the sea shore.  The antenna consists of a wavelength of wire cut to frequency in a wide "U" configuration over ground.  Proximity to the shoreline certainly helps launch a low angle signal suitable for DX contacts.  You should get at least a 3dB gain out of this simple antenna. For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please check out the blog sidebars.  These news feeds are updated daily. Opinions expressed in this blog are mine unless otherwise stated. Thanks for joining us today!  This is post #839 in a continuing series about amateur radio antennas. Aloha es 73 de Russ (KH6JRM).

Vintage Hybrid Transceivers (http://www.eham.net/articles/36648). Author:  James Benedict (N8FVJ) Please click title or article link to read the complete report. Comment: This article by James Benedict (N8FVJ) is one of the more interesting reviews of vintage hybrid transceivers online.  A hybrid design uses a solid state receiver and a tube type transmitter, usually with 6146 finals. Benedict concentrates on early rigs produced by Yaesu and Kenwood, two companies that drove many U.S. manuafacturers out of business during the 1970s through the 1990s. Many of us owned some of these rigs early on during our "careers" as radio amateurs.  Many of these rigs are still on the air and continue to receive outstanding reports of audio and transmission quality. According to James, here are the vintage rigs worth saving, repairing, collecting, and using. The Kenwood series of HF transceivers: Kenwood TS-520s Kenwood TS-530s Kenwood TS-820s Kenwood TS-830s The Yaes