Simple Ham Radio Antennas

If you can't view this video, please insert the this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch/v=oOXcSqNd6PY. Here's another antenna idea for radio amateurs planning to participate in the 2017 ARRL Field Day emergency communications exercise as a single operator portable station.  Randy Hall (K7AGE) participated in the 2016 ARRL Field Day as a single station operating from a hilltop near his home in Gold, Oregon. His truck ran his station from the back of his pickup truck, using a 20-foot/6.097meter pole to support a 20 meter dipole antenna.  His Yaesu-857 was powered by deep cycle batteries charged with solar panels.  Randy was able to fill his log without any problems. Perhaps a simple station such as the one demonstrated by Randy will encourage you to operate in the "outdoors" away from urban noise and traffic.  Although many radio amateurs will participate with their radio clubs in this annual event, there are some of us who ca

Solving Final Loop Problems (https://w2lj.blogspot.com/2017/05/solving-final-loop-problems.html). Author:  Larry Makoski (W2LJ). Accessed on 15 May 2017, 20:55 hrs, UTC. Please click link or enter title URL into your browser search box to read the full article. Comment: One of the major issues facing builders of homebrewed magnetic loop antennas is how to support the loop without it falling over because of wind, weather, and other factors.  In this post, QRP enthusiast Larry Makoski (W2LJ) found a simple answer to supporting his magnetic loop antenna, with help from Ido Roseman (4X6UB) and the neighborhood Home Depot outlet. As illustrated in his post, Larry bought a Husky Tripod assembly that supports an industrial grade halogen construction light.  With a few modifications, this sturdy tripod was able to support Larry's magnetic loop antenna without it being overturned by wind and bad weather.  Larry added that the cost of the large-based tripod was modest (around $19)

New WannaCry Ransomware Emerging and How To Protect Yourself (https://www.wordfence.com/blog/2017/05-how-to-protect-yourself-against-wannacry/). If this link doesn't connect, please enter the entire headline title into your browser search box. Author:  Mark Maunder of Wordfence Security. Accessed on 15 May 2017, 03:55 hrs, UTC. Comment: This blog usually discusses antennas, various "tuners", homebrewed equipment, and ways to improve the antennas at your disposal.  However, in this post I will leave antennas for a moment to review a serious threat to all of us using the Windows OS, especially older, unsupported versions such as Windows XP. According to Mark Maunder of Wordfence Security, a second wave of the "WannaCry" ransomware appears to have started just a few hours ago.  Maunder says "this is going to be a rough week for Windows users."  Although code experts have found two "kill switches" in the first round of WannaCry attacks

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