Posts

ATS3B QRP QSO with Indoor Antenna. Post #1229.

Image
If you can't view this video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_GGGW9usTQ. If you're hardpressed to get on the air from a deed-restricted property, you may find this quickly designed and built indoor antenna from JC Haywire a possible solution.  The wire antenna was suspended from a support in his apartment stairwell.  Here's the project description: It was a speaker cord from the Walgreens down the street. I split the cord, put one side up the stairwell and tied it to a curtain rod--put the other end into the kitchen and laid it on the floor--and I was getting out of that wood-framed bungalow pretty well. I used an alligator clip to 'ground' the rig and the counterpoise wire to the chair I was sitting in. That's it. Radio is fun! Fairly crude, but it works! For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please visit these websites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. https://oahuarrlnews

2 Meter 3 Element Tape Measure Yagi Antenna. Post #1228.

Image
If you can't view this video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxZ4rr2aKo. According to KF7TOV, only a few hours are needed to make this portable 2 meter, 3 element yagi antenna.  Most of the parts should be available at the nearest home improvement or building supply outlet.  Your total cash outlay should be around $15.00.  You will find this yagi useful for both home and portable operations, including radio direction finding ("foxhunts") activities. For the latest Amateur Radio News and Information, please visit these web sites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. https;//oahuarrlnews.wordpress.com. https://bigislandarrlnews.com. https://paper.li/kh6jrm/1430289353 (Amateur Radio News & Information). http://www.arrl.org. http://www.arrl.org/arrl-audio-news (a weekly podcast which is updated each Friday afternoon). Other sites of interest: Hawaii Science Digest (https://paper.li/f-1476233615). Hawaii

Inexpensive antenna mast. Post #1227.

Image
If you can't view this video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch/v=SG9AgVbDxHM. If you need a quick, short antenna mast, then this idea from "Theoffroader" may prove useful.  The antenna was made from surplus lumber and a few hinges. The mast can be lowered when it's not in use--a great idea for a stealth antenna. This short mast (approximately 10 feet/3.04 meters) could be used to support a VHF or UHF antenna. For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please visit these web 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 which is updated each Friday afternoon). https://paper.li/kh6jrm/1430289353 (Amateur Radio News & Information). Other sites of interest: Hawaii Science Digest (https://paper.li/f-1476233615). Hawaii Intelligence Digest (https://hawaiiintel

How To: Solder a PL259 to Coax. Post #1226.

Image
If you can't view this video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anPhX5kICU. In this video, M6JDM demonstrates another simple way to solder a PL259 connector to coaxial cable. All it takes is a little practice to master this radio art. 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.arrl.org. http://www.arrl.org/arrl-audio-news (a weekly podcast which is updated each Friday afternoon). https://paper.li/kh6jrm/1430289353 (Amateur Radio News & Information). Other sites of interest: Hawaii Science Digest (https://paper.li/f-14762335615). Hawaii Intelligence Digest (https://hawaiiintelligencedigest.com). Hawaii Intelligence Daily (https://paper.li/f-1482109921). Be sure to check the blog sidebars for more antenna and propagation articles. Opinions expressed on this bl

Compact Homebrew End Fed QRP Antenna. Post #1225.

Image
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 a handy, lightweight end-fed HF antenna for portable and emergency operations. KD9EAS says he built this antenna for low wattage QRP use "to be compact and inexpensive."  The antenna uses 33-feet/10.06 meters of hookup wire with a 9:1 unun wrapped on a T-106-2 toroid.  The design is based on the end fed matchbox antenna from the Emergency Radio Club of Honolulu (EARCH). 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.arrl.org. http://www.arrl.org/arrl-audio-news (a weekly podcast which is updated each Friday afternoon). https://paper.li/kh6jrm/1430289353 (Amateur Radio News & Information). Other sites of interest: Hawaii Science Digest (https://paper.li/f-1476233615). Haw

Winding a 1:4 Current Balun with 15 turns. Post #1224.

Image
If you can't view this video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IR-8T0QjUjM. A 1:4 current balun is a handy device if you use 450 ohm ladder line, 300 ohm television twin lead, or homebrewed 600 ohm balanced line to feed your antenna. In this video from N7JFP, we see how to make a simple 1:4 HF Current Balun with 15 turns per side.  This balun uses a T-130-2 toroid and 18 gauge copper wire. N7JFP says this is a low power device (around 5 watts) suitable for 20 and 40 meters. For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please visit these websites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. https://oahuarrlnews.wordpress.com. https://bigislandarrlnews.com. https://paper.li/kh6jrm/1430289353 (Amateur Radio News & Information). http://www.arrl.org. http://www.arrl.org/arrl-audio-news (a weekly podcast which is updated every Friday afternoon). Other sites of interest: Hawaii Science Digest (https://paper.li/f-1476234

Apartment loop antenna for HF. Post #1223.

Image
If you can't view this video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch/v=i6VrbsYsx6s. If you live in a deed-restricted antenna environment (HOA/CC&R), this indoor loop from Joe Baille may enable you to get on the air.  According to Joe, he used 86 feet/26.219 meters of #16 AWG wire to form a two-turn loop around the ceiling of his apartment. He used a CG-3000 automatic antenna "tuner" to work several HF bands.  Although there is no commentary or test data provided by Joe, the antenna seems to work.  As long as you keep power below 10 watts you should have no problems with rfi. For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please visit these websites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. https://oahuarrlnews.wordpress.com. https://bigislandarrlnews.wordpress.com. https://paper.li/kh6jrm/1430289353 (Amateur Radio News & Information). http://www.arrl.org. http://www.arrl.org/arrl-audio-news (a weekly podcast w