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=EzaLdfcPOyI. If you use a base-loaded HF vertical antenna such as the Hy-Gain 18VS, you will have to change the taps on the loading coil to work other bands.  That can be a hassle if you don't have antenna coil clips to select the proper turns on the coil. In this video, Tinker John (W5CYF) shows us how to use simple tools to make low cost, effective clips for your 18VS. Connecting the proper tap quickly will enable you to switch bands efficiently with out much effort. For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please visit these sites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. https://oahuarrlnews.wordpress.com. https://bigislandarrlnews.wordpress.com. http://www.kh6jrm.info (breaking news for radio amateurs). Other sites of interest: http://hawaiisciencedigest.com (science and technology news for radio amateurs). https://hawaiiintelligencedigest.

If you can't view this video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IzkmdZvczA. With a little ingenuity, you can turn your HF vertical into a higher gain antenna. In this video, Stan Gibilisco (W1GV) shows how a pair of phased verticals, separated by a 1/2 wavelength at your chosen frequency, can deliver up to 3dBd gain over a single vertical element.  I've built a few of these antennas for 20, 15, and 10 meters, and they all have performed well.  Now that solar activity is beginning to favor the lower HF bands, you may want to build a phased vertical antenna system for 40 meters.  Unless you have a large lot, such an antenna for 80 and 150 meters may be too large.  Stan's video tutorial is good introduction to building a phased vertical antenna system. For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please visit these websites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. https://oahuarrlnews.wordpress.com. https://

If you can't view this video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch/v-LF8-UrXqUVA. In this video from Carl Oliver , we learn what a loading coil is, and how it is used to reduce the physical length of a resonant antenna .  A loading coil adds inductance to an antenna and can be adjusted to allow an antenna to cover several frequencies.  This basic tutorial is hands- on, simple, and to-the-point. For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please visit these sites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. https://oahuarrlnews.wordpress.com. https://bigislandarrlnews.wordpress.com. http://www.kh6jrm.info ( breaking news for radio amateurs ). Other sites of interest: http://hawaiisciencedigest.com (science and technology news for radio amateurs). https://hawaiiintelligencedigest.com (trends in geopolitical intelligence, strategic forecasting, terrorism, and cybersecurity). Be sure to check out the blog sidebars for mo

If you can't view this video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch/v=wMmnUiy0eI. Another excellent video from Julian (OH8STN). This time Julian shows us his updated Amateur Radio Go Kit using a Yaesu FT-817 ND, the Chameleon Antenna MPAS (Modular Portable Antenna System), and the popular LDG-Z817 automatic antenna "tuner." This video covers part of his " Arctic Circle Training Ops 2015."  The antenna can be configured in a variety of ways, including vertical, horizontal, NVIS , and Inverted L.  Julian supplies a complete list of materials and helpful hints that you can use to make your own field deployable emergency radio station (i.e. "Go Kit"). For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please visit these sites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. https://oahuarrlnews.wordpress.com. https://bigislandarrlnews.wordpress.com. http://www.kh6jrm.info (breaking news for radio amateurs ).

If you can't view this video, please enter this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwXYP4vTOso. Here's a simple effective S-Match balanced homebrew tuner for your shack.  The video is well-produced and provides several detailed views of the S- Match box and its internal components.  This tuner is based on a design created by PA0FRI. Check out his website for several more tuner designs. Several comments to this post refer to the tuning ease of this device, which covers 160 meters through 10 meters.  If you use balanced feed line , such as 450 ohm ladder line , 300 ohm television twin lead, or homemade 600 ohm balanced line , then this is the tuner for you. This S-Match balanced tuner is designed to handle 100 watts. For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please visit these sites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. https://oahuarrlnews.wordpress.com. https://bigislandarrlnews.wordpress.com. http://www.kh6jrm.info (breakin