Posts

Ham Radio - Build your own L network antenna tuner. Post #1152.

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If you can't view the video, please enter this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch/v=EXD9rAOM_o4. Here's a simple, easy to build, and low cost L network antenna "tuner" that will maximize the performance of a random wire antenna.  Kevin Loughin (KB9RLW) shows us how to use locally available materials to design, build, and use this useful tool for antenna designers.  Kevin's instructions are clear and easy to understand.  Add to this "tuner" a ground radial or counterpoise system and you will have a high performing portable multiband HF antenna.  You may want to enclose this "tuner" in a small metal box to protect it from the weather and to reduce RFI to a minimum. For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please visit these web sites: http://www.Hawaii ARRL.info. https://oahuarrlnews.wordpress.com. https://bigislandarrlnews.wordpress.com. http://www.kh6jrm.info (breaking news for radio amat

Chameleon P-LOOP 2.0 Portable Magnetic Loop Antenna Field Test. Post #1151.

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If you can't view this video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch/v=Rfbnt4-xg1g. HF magnetic loop antennas are becoming popular with portable, emergency, and home operations.  Radio amateurs have used these fascinating, man-portable antennas where other antennas aren't practical or desired, especially in deed-restricted homes and apartments governed by HOAs and CC&Rs. In this video, OH8STN field tests the Chameleon P-LOOP magnetic loop antenna in a practical situation with less than friendly weather.  Despite its limited bandwidth, the magnetic loop antenna is small, easily assembled, and completely portable--something to consider if you're hiking into a remote area or forced to erect temporary antennas in less than favorable housing conditions. Considering its limitations, the Chameleon P-LOOP does fairly well outdoors and should be considered a useful standby antenna for your next Field Day or portable oper

HF Ham Radio Random Wire Portable Antenna Back Yard Test. Post #1150.

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If you can't view this video, please enter this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U44aXzD2LB4. If you need a simple, inexpensive, and easy to erect HF antenna for Field Day or any other portable operation, you may want to use this idea from Larry (WD0AKX). Larry says he wanted to experiment with a random length wire in his backyard using QRP power and a portable set up to see what he could do with a minimum of equipment.  You will need an antenna "tuner", a 9:1 unun, and a ground radial/counterpoise system to make the antenna work properly. 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. http://www.arrl.org/audio-news (updated every Friday). https://arnewsline.org (script and audio available every Friday).

2014 Field Day - Free Standing Painter Pole Fan Dipole with W4EDF. Post #1149.

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If you can;t view this video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yM6RGiFkdMM. Here's an interesting multiband HF antenna for Field Day from Edward Bradshaw (W4EDF).  Ed says "free standing" means he isn't using nearby trees to support his portable mast.  Watch Ed as he demonstrates how to assemble and deploy this free standing painter pole fan dipole by himself.  Ed discusses the materials, wire, knots, poles, and guying techniques used in making this antenna. 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. http://www.arrl.org/audio-news (issued each Friday). Other sites of interest: http://hawaiisciencedigest.com (science and technology news for radio amateurs). https://hawaiiinte

40 Meter Full Wave Loop. Post #1148.

40 Meter Full Wave Loop (http://www.dxzone.com/cgi-bin/dir/jump2.cgi?ID=29255). Accessed on 01 June 2017, 19:10 hrs, UTC. Author:  Greg Lane (N4KGL) of Panama City, Florida. Please click title or enter title URL into your browser to read the full article. Comment: With propagation favoring the lower HF bands this year (160, 80, and 40 meters), you may want a dedicated antenna for those bands, especially 40 meters where daytime and evening time remain fairly good. In this article, Greg Lane (N4KGL) describes a 40 meter full wave loop he used for his 2013 ARRL Field Day effort in Florida.  His antenna is a diamond-shaped loop using three, 31-foot/9.451 meters Jackite fiberglass poles and his truck to support the structure.  Each loop element was cut for the lower portion of the 40 meter band and measured 36-feet/10.975 meters, for a total length of 144-feet/43.902 meters. Here are some of the antenna details:  I considered feeding it with balanced line but decided to use