Simple Ham Radio Antennas

QRP Random Wire Tuner (http://www.ad7c.com/projects/qrp-random-wire-tuner/). Author:  Rich (AD7C). Please insert title URL to read the full report and to view the accompanying video. Accessed on 20 December 2016, 04:45 hrs, UTC . Comment: Here's simple, small, and effective random wire antenna "tuner" for use in portable or emergency operations.  Rich (AD7C) provides ample documentation and photos of this well-made antenna accessory.  Most of the materials can be bought locally, except for the 12 position rotary switch which can be purchased through any of the many amateur radio supply outlets.  The rest of the "tuner" components are simple:  one air variable capacitor, some SO-239 connectors, and a metal watch case .  The coil consists of 22 gauge magnet wire wrapped around an empty 35 mm plastic film container.  Rich says the homemade "tuner" works well on 40 through 10 meters. Rich also offers a video of the "tuner" in action

Real Time Band Conditions Website (http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2016/june/realtime-band-conditions- website .htm#.WFcP6hsrLIU). (http://www.bandconditions.com). Source:  Original article cited by OPDX in http://www.southgatearc.org website. Accessed on 18 December 2016, 22:55 hrs, UTC . Please click link or insert title URLs into your browser search box to read the complete article. Comment: This article describes an interesting and fascinating method to predict ionospheric conditions in real time for active contesters seeking to boost their scores. Unlike conventional propagation programs that use software or satellite-based readings, this new propagation tool uses something called "HF Ionospheric Interferometry" which mimics the PolSAR sampling methods used by NASA . Try out this new program and see if it helps you in the next contest. For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please visit these websites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. http

Short Top Band Antenna (http://www.dxzone.com/cgi-bin/dir/jump2.cgi?ID=32392). Accessed on 17 December 2016, 23:25 hrs, UTC , Post #984. Author:  DJ0IP Please click link or enter the title URL into your browser to read the complete article. Comment: One of the significant drawbacks of antennas designed for the 160 meter band is the large size of the antennas involved.  A full-length dipole cut for "Top Band" can measure as much as 265-feet/80.79 meters from end-to-end. Not many of us have access to such large dimensions on a typical urban lot. Compromise 160 meter band antennas can be used, including vertical helixes, magnetic loops, and coil-loaded shortened dipoles.  The efficiency of such antennas is usually low. In this post, DJ0IP uses a design from Alfred Kluess (DF2BC) to make a very short dipole fed by two types of balanced line which is then attached to a homemade split-stator capacitor and heavy duty coil.  This foreshortened dipole works only on 16

If you're having trouble viewing this video, please enter this title link into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sczo4fmP4yw. This is post #983 in a continuing series of simple ham radio antennas . If you need an emergency antenna for the 2 meter amateur radio band, look no further than the old television you have stored in you garage or radio room. Many older television came with a detachable "rabbit ears" antenna that can be modified to receive and transmit on the 2 meter band .  In this video, KB3PML shows how to adjust the telescoping antenna elements of an old rabbit ears tv antenna to get on the air the air during emergency or portable operations.  You can adjust the length of the two elements with a MFJ SWR analyzer.  I have a similar antenna in my shack to monitor amateur radio and public service bands .  It works very well.  If you search around your neighborhood, you may find one of these rabbit ears antennas for free or at a moder

If you're having trouble viewing this video, please insert this title link into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqsfQnkpmM. Now that winter has arrived and shorter days are upon us, you may want to try some contacts on the 160 meter amateur radio band , which is just above the standard AM broadcast band in the United States .  Noise tends to be a bit lower during the shorter hours of daylight and signals will be enhanced if you use "grey line" propagation.  The only drawback to 160 meter operations is the rather large antennas required, especially in terms of height.  You may want to consider the solution described and demonstrated by Steven Desmarais, who has designed and built a simple inverted L antenna for the "Gentlemen's Band."  Inverted L antennas are also suitable for 80 and 40 meters where vertical heights can be limiting factor .  Along with a good ground radial or counterpoise system, the inverted L makes an excellent