Simple Ham Radio Antennas

If you can't view this video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CM4Qjp3RFFQ. This is post #1062 in a continuing series of "Simple Ham radio Antennas." Radio amateurs have used just about everything as antennas, including rain gutters, balconies, fences, and even light bulbs as shown in this video.  An ARRL antenna book published several years ago had described such an antenna as a fun experiment to see just how effective this extremely compromised antenna was. As described in this video, as long as an object (i.e. a light bulb) could radiate and not shut down the transceiver with a large SWR, contacts were possible.  A few contacts were made with this "antenna" using a Yaesu Ft-857D, a LDG FT-meter, a MFJ-945E mobile antenna tuner, and a MFJ-911H 4:1 current balun. The light bulb antenna was configured as an end-fed antenna.  The light bulb arrangement probably wouldn't be your first choice as a

If you can't view this video, please insert this title URL into you browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnPVniHS_EQ. In this video from Stan Gibilisco (W1GV), we learn how to build a simple, inexpensive coaxial antenna suitable for use on the 20 meter (14 MHz) Amateur Radio band.  The vertical element is 16 feet/4.87 meters long, with four sloping radials measuring 16 feet/4.87 meters long.  Stan places 16 feet/ 4.87 meters of the 50 ohm coaxial cable feed line inside a metal tube or conduit.  I've built a few of these easily made ground plane antennas, and they work very well, especially if you get the base of the antenna approximately 1/2 wave length above ground level.  Although this simple vertical antenna won't outperform a 3-element yagi, it will give you a decent amount of DX contacts because of its low angle of radiation. For the latest in Amateur Radio news and information, please visit these sites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. https://oahu

If you can't view this video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rusIhx0ptNg. This is post #1060 in a continuing series of "Simple Ham Radio Antennas." Intriguing video from "wow sly" (M6CTP) on how to build a dual band (2m/70cm) antenna from a few simple, locally available materials. Support for the antenna elements come from several pieces of UK electrical conduit, approximately 25mm thick. M6CTP's design is cheap, easy to make, and portable. For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please check this websites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. https://oahuarrlnews.wordpress.com. https://bigislandarrlnews.wordpress.com. http://www.kh6jrm.info (breaking news for radio amateurs). Be sure to check the blog sidebars for more antenna and propagation articles. 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 URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpxLATs0FIo. If you need a simple, easily deployable HF antenna, then antennas designed for the Summits On The Air Program (SOTA) may be for you.  In this video from John Saunders (VK4BZ), we see a variety of easy-to-erect and effective HF antennas for portable or emergency use.  With the use of a telescoping fiberglass mast, a variety of antennas, from simple dipoles to verticals can be designed, built, erected, and used in minimum time--something that may interest those living in deed-restricted homes and apartments.  Add a simple LC network and you'll have an antenna with low SWR and acceptable performance. For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please visit these web sites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. https://oahuarrlnews.wordpress.com. https://bigislandarrlnews.wordpress.com. http://www.kh6jrm.info (breaking news for

If you can't view this video, please enter this title link into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mht2YyWAH1I. An exceptionally well-done safety video from Tinker John (W5CYF) on the fundamentals of Ham Radio station grounding.  This basic tutorial gives you a simple, safe, and effective way to ground your station equipment and to lessen the possibility of a lightning strike damaging your station. Tinker John also discusses the distinction between grounding and electrical bonding.  This video is not intended to be a "how-to-guide", but rather serves as an introduction to simple practices that will prevent damage to your equipment and shack.  If you have further questions about station grounding, please seek advice from a professional engineer. For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please check out these websites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. https://oahuarrlnews.wordpress.com. https://bigislandarrlnews.wordpress.com. http://www