Simple Ham Radio Antennas

A radial plate for cheapskates (https://www.eham.net/article/38076). Author:  Bill Savage (K3AN). Accessed on 21 October 2017, 2055 UTC, Post #1287. Please click link to read the full article. Comment: I've always enjoyed designing, building, and using "homebrewed" 1/4 wavelength vertical antennas. In the past, my ham radio shack has been located in areas where a full-length dipole antenna is impractical, especially for 80 and 160 meter operations. Vertical, sloper, and inverted vee configurations have worked well, considering my limited horizontal space. While building vertical antennas is educational and often fun, finishing the necessary counterpoise or ground radial system has proven to be tedious and time consuming. One way to deploy a ground radial system without much fuss is to use a metal radial plate as a connecting point for your vertical antenna counterpoise or ground radial system.  Several manufacturers make and sell these ground plates, and most

If you can't view this article, please enter this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?=aLgFeTpIX4A. In this video from Dave Tadlock (KG0ZZ), we get a step-by-step tutorial on how to design, build, and use a 10 meter ground plane antenna.  The antenna can be supported on a mast using a simple counterpoise as the ground plane or as a ground-mounted vertical employing a ground radial system.  In my experience, mounting the antenna at a height of approximately 1/2 wavelength (16.5 feet/5/03 meters) above ground level,along with a simple counterpoise or drooping radial system will give better performance than leaving the antenna mounted close to the ground. 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)

If you can't view this video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9o0pIMeKR7w.  This is post #1285 in a continuing series of "Simple Ham Radio Antennas." This video from Kevin Loughin (KB9RLW) is a good example of what can be done to cover the amateur radio bands from 160 meters through 10 meters with a few simple antennas, ranging from Off-Center Fed Dipoles (OCFD) to inverted vees.  At look at Kevin's current antenna arrangement may give you some excellent ideas on adapting multiband HF antennas to fit your unique housing and land situation.  The important thing is to get on the air.  Some compromise antennas do very well if we're willing to accept less-than-perfect performance. 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

If you can't view this video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFAj2rSPILA. Here's a handy device for erecting emergency antennas in parking lots--just right for Field Day activities or portable operations.  The device is made by the Boca Bearing Company.  Be sure it's legal to attach this device to lamp posts, which may be owned by city, county, or federal agencies. Still, this is a great idea if you didn't pack a telescoping fiberglass mast in your "Go Kit." For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please visit these websites: http://www.Hawaii ARRL.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

If you can't view this video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-JqK7w_1d8. Are you disappointed in the performance of the stock "rubber duck" antenna that came as standard equipment on your HT?  You're not alone.  The "rubber duck" antenna is sometimes no better than a "dummy load", especially if you're trying to hit a distant repeater. In this video from "Mountain Parameters", we learn about a quick and easy antenna attachment that will help improve the efficiency and range of your "rubber duck" HT antenna.  A simple, effective, and inexpensive improvement that can be made for any HT antenna is the creation of a "counterpoise" made from cheap, locally available components. This homemade "counterpoise" creates a virtual ground plane, by adding the "missing half" to your HT's antenna. This simple device is often called a "