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=MsrgGy_JhpY. A portable HF/VHF station doesn't have to be complicated. In this video from USNERDOC (KF7ETX), a few "Long Arm Painter's Poles", some inexpensive wire, an antenna "tuner", a few batteries, and a small HF/VHF transceiver will get you on the air.  This video shows the perfect "antenna weather"-- wet, rainy, and a bit chilly. Despite the poor conditions, KF7ETX easily sets up his station and makes a few contacts. Most of the antenna materials can be found at the nearest home improvement or building supply outlet. For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please visit these sites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. https://oahuarrlnews.wordpress.com. https://bigislandarrlnews.com. http://www.arrl.org. http://www.arrl.org/arrl-audio-news (a weekly podcast updated each Friday). https://paper.li/kh6jrm/

If you can't view this video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRZPsBMItx0. Here's a cheap, simple HDTV antenna that will pull in signals from both local and distant stations (up to 50 miles/81 km). There's no need to buy an expensive commercial product if you're willing to spend a few hours designing and building your own HDTV antenna.  The antenna can be scaled to VHF/UHF Amateur Radio frequencies if you desire.  According to the video's author, this antenna was attached to a mast and raised 23-feet/7.01 meters off the ground. He was able to receive 42 local channels in addition to a handful of stations 50 miles/81 km away from his home.  The antenna can be used indoors if necessary to comply with property deed restrictions (HOAs and CC&Rs).  The estimated cost of the antenna using locally available materials was around $12.00. You can find design details at this website: https://www.digitalhome.c

If you can't view this video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuakP-C6NTM. Here's another magnetic HF loop antenna for those living in deed-restricted housing (HOAs/CC&Rs). Most of the materials used in these loops can be bought at the nearest building supply or home improvement outlet.  The toughest part of the project is the careful bending of the copper pipe used to make the loops. Generally, a nicely done video from the "North Carolina Prepper."  Please note the beautiful ICOM-IC-7000 used for the test. "North Carolina Prepper" has suggested two websites to help you design, build, and use this magnetic loop antenna: http://www.nonstopsystems.com/radio/frank_radio_antenna_magloop.htm http://www.66pacific.com/calculators/small_tx_loop_calc.aspx. For the latest in Amateur news and information, please visit these sites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. https://oahuarrlnews.wordpress.com

If you can't view this video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqsfQngkpmM. Now that 160 meters and other low HF bands (80 meters and 40 meters) are becoming more popular because of the approaching solar minimum, you may want to design, build, and use an antenna specifically dedicated for "The Gentlemen's Band (160 meters)."  Erecting such an antenna, even for a 1/4 wavelength vertical, involves some serious height and space requirements (135 ft/41.15 meters). You can reduce the length and height requirements by building an inverted L antenna for this band, where the wire is partially vertical and partially horizontal.  In this video, Stephen Desmarais has done just that and has managed to squeeze in a 160 meter antenna using his back yard.  Stephen also includes a "tuning box" and a ground radial/counterpoise system to make the antenna more efficient and to reduce rfi in the shack. For the lat

If you can't view this video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https//www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3oP6VAG3gs. Here's an intriguing way to get on 160 and 80 meters with a stealthy magnetic loop antenna.  In this video, Kevin Loughin builds, erects, and uses a 6-foot/1.829 meter diameter magnetic loop for 80 and 160 meters.  As Kevin relates, " I create a two-turn loop to get down to 160 and it works quite well. I checked into a local 160 meter net and 4 out of 5 stated they could hear me." The loop is made from copper tubing and uses a 20 pf to 700 pf capacitor with about a 1 mm spacing to tune the antenna.  Kevin says "I've pushed it to 40 watts without an arc." For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please visit these websites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. https://oahuarrlnews.wordpress.com. https://bigislandarrlnews.com. http://www.kh6jrm.info (breaking news for radio amateurs). http://www.arrl.org. htt