Simple Ham Radio Antennas

Field Day the Simple Way (www.arrl.org/field-day-the-simple-way). Author:  Charlie Pitchford (N4QET). Accessed on 14 May 2017, 06:40 hrs, UTC. Please click title link to read the full story. Comment: I always look forward to the ARRL Field Day emergency communications exercise.  The event allows me to practice my cw and SSB skills, to help erect antennas, to encourage new operators to get on the air, and to socialize with members of the Big Island Amateur Radio Club.  This year, Field Day occurs on 24-25 June 2017. Although I try to attend my club's Field Day activities, there are times when prior commitments keep me at work or at home.  In these cases, I have a portable antenna, solar panels, batteries, and a good tent to keep me covered while I grind out a few contacts as a 1B (single transmitter, portable) station from my back yard. This year, a variety of home projects and family commitments will keep me home, operating solo from the back yard while my fellow club

If you can't view this video, please insert this title URL into your search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6X_D1CLImo. Here's a well-produced video from Kevin, whose antenna experience in a deed-restricted environment (HOA/CC&R), can help you get on the air from a small urban lot.  The antenna is the popular and highly rated Zero-Five 40 through 10 meter vertical antenna.  Using a LDG tuner with his HF transceiver, Kevin was able to make several successful contacts from this restricted space.  You could also make a similar vertical antenna from a telescoping fiberglass pole, some household wire, a simple ground radial/counterpoise system, and a wide-range antenna "tuner."  Let your imagination be your guide. Don't let space limitations stop you from enjoying Amateur Radio. For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please visit these websites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. https://oahuarrlnews.wordpress.com. https://bigislandarrlnews.wo

If you can't view this video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hq7HAOYjZA. Here's one of the most compact portable antennas I've ever seen.  Nearly everything fits into a small tupperware container.  According to author KD0AES, the heart of the antenna system is  a 9:1 unun wrapped on a T106-2 toroid and a minimum of hardware to insure lightweight operation. This antenna, used with a QRP rig and a sturdy antenna "tuner", should give you hours of fun on the air. Add this simple, inexpensive antenna to your portable "go kit" and you're set to go on HF. 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). http://www.arrl.org. Be sure to check the blog sidebars for more antenna and propagatio

If you can't view this video, please enter this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-mj1IyoxIY. Thanks to Steve Roberts (W1SFR) for this simple tutorial on how to use his end-fed 40-6M antenna.  The kit comes complete with the balun transformer and all the necessary pieces and wire, except for the carrying bag.  Steve uses a weighted fishing sinker to launch the antenna into a nearby tree.  This antenna is suitable for portable, emergency, or even ARRL Field Day operations. 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). http://www.arrl.org. Be sure to check out 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 Ru

Comparing the performance of an inverted vee dipole with a small transmitting loop on 40m (http://www.sotabeams.co.uk/blog/comparing-the-performance-of-an-inverted-vee-dipole-with-a-small-transmitting-loop-on-40m/). Accessed on 09 May 2017, 19:15 hrs, UTC. Author:  Richard Newstead. Please click link to read the full article. Comment: Have you ever questioned the efficiency and ease of operation of the antenna you use for portable operations, such as SOTA, IOTA, and Field Day activities? Radio amateurs certainly have a wide selection of antennas available for such activities, ranging from homemade dipoles to commercially made verticals and magnetic loops. In this expertly written essay, Richard Newstead compares two popular antenna systems:  an inverted vee dipole and a small transmitting loop called the "Chameleon P-Loop." In "carefully controlled conditions", Richard puts each antenna through a series of transmitter tests, reception reports, and perfo