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=sScrfbf0uIg. Here's an interesting and somewhat complex wideband HF antenna that you may find useful.  In this video, Stan Gibilisco (W1GV) explains the theory, construction, and operation of the Conical Monopole Antenna.  You may need some help in building this antenna.  This antenna would make a good club project. 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).

If you're having trouble viewing this video, please insert this title link into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v-hFR4SASOKhg. This is post #874. Like many of my ham radio friends, I use a mag mount antenna for my VHF/UHF mobile activity. While a mag mount is convenient, it can leave scratches and other imperfections on your vehicle's roof or rear deck. A really professional installation that looks nice, is weather resistant, and is more efficient calls for a NMO mount--the type that two-way radio shops use for Motorola radios in taxi cabs, police vehicles, and public service equipment. In this video, Commsprepper does an excellent job of taking us step-by-step through the process of installing a professional looking NMO mount. Be sure to connect the antenna system to the metal portion of your vehicle, since the car body serves as part of your antenna.  Because many vehicles these days employ fiberglass and other plastic parts in the car body, you may h

If you're having trouble viewing this video, please check insert this title link into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuD2mBZKHOg. Multiband antennas covering 160 meters to 10 meters tend to be very large, particularly when a quarter wave vertical antenna for the 160 meter band can be as tall as 135 feet/41.15 meters.  You could save some space and still get decent multiband performance by using an inverted L antenna that could fit on your property. In this video, Steve Ellington (N4LQ)  uses a 100 foot/30.48 meters (later upgraded to 200 feet/60.97 meters) long inverted L that covers all amateur radio bands between 160 and 10 meters.  He uses a MFJ-998 antenna transmatch (i.e. "tuner") to keep SWR in check.  Steve's project may give you some good ideas on building a similar antenna for your property. For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please check out the blog sidebars.  These news feeds are updated daily. Opinions expr

If you're having trouble viewing this video, please insert this title link into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uUVMaRFv4. My favorite amateur radio antenna is the easily-made and efficient delta loop antenna. In this video from Hiram Vazquez (WV2H), we learn the basic theory, construction, and performance parameters of this versatile HF antenna. Delta Loops display modest gain, have low noise, take up little room, and are inexpensive to build.  At my QTH, I have a delta loop similar to Hiram's.  The antenna's total length is 142-feet/43.29 meters and is attached to the top of a 33-ft/10.06 meters telescoping fiberglass pole.  The bottom portion of the delta loop is supported by two 10-ft/10.06 meters bamboo poles. The antenna is fed by a length of 450 ohm ladder line running into a 4:1 current balun. A short length of RG-8X coaxial cable connects the balun to my trusty Drake MN-4 antenna transmatch.  A small piece of RG-8X coax connects the &quo

If your're having trouble viewing this video, please insert this title link into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDj2LgG0n4I. Sometimes all you need to disguise your antenna is a clever application of your home's natural ground cover and geography.  In this video from AI4W, we see how a simple vertical antenna supported by a Jackite.com fiberglass mast can be hidden from neighbors and used even in daylight.  I'm reminded of an old saying: "Out of sight, out of mind." You may find AI4W's idea suitable for your HOA/CC&R-controlled home or apartment. For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please check out the blog's 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).

If you're having trouble viewing this video, please insert this title link into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwkxSXmhAZY. Anderson Power Pole Connectors have many uses in your ham shack from connecting power supplies to transceivers to hooking up test equipment. In this well-produced video from Randy Hall (K7AGE), we learn a different method of attaching powerpole connectors to the various wires running through our radio rooms.  Until I saw this intriguing video, I always used the crimping method to attach the power pole connectors.  In this presentation, Randy uses a soldering iron/tool to attach the connector. Both methods will work and the choice is up to you.  Randy's news Logitech 920 camera does an excellent job of presenting this tutorial. 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

If you're having trouble viewing this video, please insert this title link into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uf32ecwFjjQ. My series on Windom Antennas continues with a practical demonstration of this classic amateur radio antenna from the 1920s.  In this video from Peter Echer, we see a 160 meter Windom Antenna in action. Peter claims this large antenna and his 50 watt transmitter output often outperform small beams, dipoles, and verticals. Peter does a good job of showing how to build this off-center dipole.  If you lack the space Peter has, try a Windom Antenna designed for 40 through 10 meters. 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).