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=su5moLwSn0A. This is post #1081 in a continuing series on "Simple Ham Radio Antennas." The ARRL Field Day is coming, with the event set for Saturday and Sunday, 24-25 June 2017.  Over the next few weeks, I'll be showing some videos from the 2016 Field Day contest, with the emphasis placed on new or interesting antennas used in this emergency communications event. In this video from "videosbymike", we see the popular Alpha Multiband Antenna used with its heavy duty tripod base.  Although propagation wasn't favorable last year, some interesting contacts were made.  Hopefully this video and the ones to follow in the coming weeks will inspire you to create a Field Day antenna that will perform well for your portable operation . For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please check out these websites: http://www.Haw

If you can't view the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7w-jdi-Nv4. This is part 2 of "survivalist2008's" 80-6 meter OCF Dipole Antenna for portable or emergency use.  Now that design, construction, and assembly are complete, we are ready to use the OCF dipole in an actual portable operation.  According to "survivalist2008", the homebrewed OCF Dipole Antenna is "stealthy, and lightweight, and fits into a pocket of the backpack." This antenna could also be useful for radio amateurs living in deed-restricted homes or apartments. For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please visit these sites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. https://oahuarrlnews.wordpress.com. https://bigislandarrlnew.wordpress.com. http://www.kh6jrm.info ( breaking news for radio amateurs). Other site of interest: http://hawaiisciencedigest.com (science and technology news for radio amateurs

If you can't view this video, pleases insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuXPsKX6nYw. An off-center fed (OCF) dipole antenna which covers the 80 through 6 meter Amateur Radio bands can be made with locally bought materials and readily available baluns from a variety of Amateur Radio sales outlets.  In this two part video from "Survivalist2008", we learn the basic theory, design, and construction of this unusual dipole antenna.  Part 1 takes you step-by-step through the basic antenna creation process.  In part 2, we will build the OCF and use it to make contacts from a portable ham radio station. For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please visit these websites: 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

If you can't view this video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVmSIyf1kQ0. With the ARRL Field Day 2017 set for 24-25 June 2017, it may be a good idea to review some basic safety procedures to protect yourself and your equipment.  In this video from the Montgomery Radio Club's Field Day event in June 2016, Tom (W3TDH) show us the proper way to ground your equipment and to protect yourself from lightening strikes. Take the proper precautions and have a safe, productive Field Day 2017. For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please visit these websites: 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 (latest trends in geopolitical intel

If you can't view this video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWGG4A0PcEY. Here's an interesting field antenna for those of us wanting to experiment with unconventional antenna designs.  In this video, Stan Gibilisco (W1GV) discusses the theory, design, construction, and use of a kite-supported antenna for the 7 MHz (40 meter) Amateur Radio band .  I've seen a few of these antennas in action at various ARRL Field Day events, and they seem to work as long as the wind continues and the weather is clear. Please don't use this antenna during a thunderstorm...Benjamin Franklin was lucky--you may not be as fortunate as this 18th century American experimenter.  In this video, Stan describes a rather long (approximately 500 feet/152.430 meters) wire supported by a parafoil kite with the wire making an angle of 30 degrees above ground. For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please visit these we

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://