Simple Ham Radio Antennas

FCC Part 97 Ham Radio Changes (http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2017/june/fcc-part-97-ham-radio-changes.htm). Accessed on 15 June 2017, 14:30 hrs, UTC. Source:  http://www.southgatearc.org. Please click link or insert title URL into your browser search box to read the full report. Comment: Amateur Radio operators in the United States have waited for almost five years to gain use of the 630 and 2200 meter bands, which were approved by the WRC-12 Conference in Geneva back in 2012. That dream will become fact sometime this summer.  On 14 June 2017, the FCC WRC-12 Implementation Report and Order was published in the Federal Register, making the WRC-12 recommendations part of the rules and regulations governing the Amateur Radio Service in the United States. Here are the main points of the Report and Order: • Part 97 - Allocation of 472–479 kHz and 135.7–137.8 kHz bands to the Amateur Service on a secondary basis. • Part 15 - § 15.113 Power line carrier systems  An electr

If you can't view this video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v-G9mmLyFh7eY. In my previous post, I mentioned a simple, easily-made fan dipole covering the 40/20 meter Amateur Radio bands.  This antenna was suitable for a small lot and had the potential of spanning several HF bands with the use of an antenna "tuner." Can the same principle be applied for radio amateurs living in deed-restricted homes and apartments (CC&Rs and HOAs)?  According to  Patrick Hock, an attic fan dipole antenna covering the 20 and 40 meter bands can be made if you're willing to install the antenna in an attic and can spend some time pruning the antenna for the best SWR on each band.  Patrick accepted that challenge and built a fan dipole in his attic.  The antenna performs very well, considering the limitations inherent in an attic antenna.  If you have an accessible attic in your housing situation, you may want to try this

If you can't view this video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.watch?v=8DMHVCrJZqY. Here's another simple, easily made dipole antenna that covers the 40 and 20 meter Amateur Radio bands.  Separate dipoles for each band are joined at a center connector and fed with the same 50-ohm coaxial feed line.  According to KC2IRV, this antenna will also work on 80 meters with a sturdy antenna "tuner." Fifteen meter operation is also possible using the 3rd harmonic of 7 MHz.  SWR will be slightly higher on 15 meters than 40 meters, but can be controlled with an antenna "tuner."  KC2IRV uses 1-inch/2.54 cm PVC plumbing Tees for insulators.  A cheap, multiband HF antenna that works. 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 ama

If you can't view this video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lu_YqfE-Ak8. Here's another way to launch a dipole antenna over trees at a Field Day site.  Bob Keys (NA4B) is using a clever "crossbow" design to accurately launch a dipole antenna into tall trees at the 1990 Raleigh Amateur Radio Society Field Day location.  Jeff Wittech (AC4ZO) uses a more traditional bow and arrow to shoot a dipole over the trees.  A slingshot can also be used.  You may find these suggestions helpful during the 2017 ARRL Field Day event, 24-25 June 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). http://www.arrl.org. http://www.arrl.org/arrl-audio-news (updated every Friday). Be sure to check the blog sidebars for m

If you can't view this video, please enter this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KjDC0sKUus. Nicely done video from Ralph Parkhurst (VK3KQ), showing how he and some friends set up their portable station for the summer 2014 VHF/UHF Field Day near Marysville, Victoria, Australia.  As you can see, a lot of work went into preparing the site, building the antennas on site, and taking care of a few minor problems.  You may be able to use some of the ideas presented in this video for the upcoming 2017 ARRL Field Day event on 24-25 June 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). http://www.arrl.org. http://www.arrl.org/arrl-audio-news. Other sites of interest: http://hawaiisciencedigest.com (science and technology news for radio

If you can't view this video, please enter this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHuzVcfwE28. One of the major problems of using portable antennas is getting them high enough off the ground to do some good, particularly where DX contacts are concerned. In this video from Dr. Bob Heil (K9EID), we get a good discussion of antenna launchers and how they're used to put antennas over high trees or other obstacles. Bob illustrates the general principles of antenna launchers with this new device from Korea. While this device is certainly an improvement over fishing rod launchers and arrows shot over trees, you may find a simple slingshot works well enough for your location.  Whatever launch method you chose, please be mindful of safety and handle all equipment carefully. For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please visit these websites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. https://oahuarrlnews.wordpress.com. https;//bigislandar

If you can't view this video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xczCFzEZ1CY. A nice, simple video tutorial from Darrell Steele (VO1MDS) of St. Johns, Newfoundland, Canada.  In this video, Darrel uses a 16-foot/4.878 meters telescoping aluminium rod, a tapped coil, a coaxial cable feed line, and a simple ground rod to build a vertical antenna covering the 40, 20, 15, and 12 meter Amateur Radio bands.  Bands are selected by changing the tap on the coil. 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). Other sites of interest: http://hawaiisciencedigest.com (science and technology news for radio amateurs). https://hawaiiintelligencedigest.com (