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=IkNxByRYhGY. Australian radio amateur Peter Parker (VK3YE) is well known for his work with portable HF antennas.  In this presentation before the Eastern and Mountain Radio Club, Peter discusses various antennas suitable for HF Pedestrian Portable Operation.  Peter offers a wealth of suggestions regarding antennas, batteries, radios, and support structures that will facilitate "radio on the go".  Especially interesting is the explanation of his bamboo pole-supported Slim-Jim antenna for 20 meters and his small, hand-held loop antenna.  A great presentation. For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please visit these websites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. https://oahuaarrlnews.wordpress.com. https://bigislandarrlnews.wordpress.com. http://www.kh6jrm.info (breaking news for radio amateurs). http://www.arrl.org. Be sure to check the

If you can't view this video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPdtN6AtXmI. You don't need a lot of fancy, expensive equipment to enjoy an effective portable ham station for outdoor operations, such as the upcoming ARRL Field Day.  In this video from Lynn (NG9D), we see just how simple it is to put up a random wire antenna (about 75 feet/22.86 meters) using a tree as support. Lynn completes his portable station with some Ten-Tec QRP cw gear, a MFJ antenna "tuner", a power supply, a simple ground radial/counterpoise system, a simple hand key, and a short length of coaxial feed cable (about 20 feet/6.097 meters). Lynn's set up is light and thoroughly portable. This station can be carried on your back or left in your vehicle for emergency use.  Why not participate in Field Day as a 1B station at the nearest park or even in your own back yard? For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please vis

If you can't view this video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=up8WL4CPVY8. Here's another great Field Day Setup, courtesy of Tracy (VE3TWM) and Randy (VE3OZR).  This QRP operating "camp" was erected in Rattlesnake Park, Ontario, Canada and used two antennas, a Yaesu 817 HF transceiver, and some excellent outdoor shelters.  According to Tracy (VE3TWM), the horizontally polarized antenna was a 66-foot/20.12 meters long HyEndFed 4 band HF antenna, while the vertically polarized antenna was the EZ Military Antenna from Alpha Antennas.  As you can tell from this short video, both Randy and Terry had a great time grabbing elusive Field Day contacts from this beautiful park.  Hopefully, this well-organized portable station will give you some good ideas for your Field Day operation. For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please visit these websites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. https://oahuarrlnew

I you can't view this video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_HyTYek318. Here's all you need to know about the ARRL Field Day from preparation to antennas.  This podcast from 22 June 2016 features expert advice and helpful suggestions from Bob Heil, Gordon West, George Thomas, Don Willbanks, and Amanda Allen.  Although there are some controversial issues over tuning portable vertical antennas, this issue of "Ham Nation" is fundamentally sound on both theory and practice.  The 2017 ARRL Field Day is set for 24-25 June. 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 propagation articles. Opinions expressed in this blog are mi

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