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=3j3BsYbzwvw. If you want to squeeze a bit more gain out of your HF horizontal dipole antenna, you may find the Extended Double Zepp Antenna a useful alternative to the traditional 1/2 wavelength dipole.  Stan Gibilisco (W1GV) does an excellent job of explaining the theory, construction, and operation of this antenna. The Extended Double Zepp Antenna is basically a collinear array of "two 5/8 waves in phase", giving a theoretical gain of 3 dB. Be sure to use balanced feed line such as 450 ohm ladder line, 300 ohm television twin lead, or homemade 600 feed line with a balanced "tuner" or a 4:1 current balun/"tuner" combination connected to your rig. For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please visit these websites: http://www.Hawaii ARRL.info. https://oahuarrlnews.wordpress.com. https://bigislandarrlnews.com.

If you can't view this video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rujoKVOhK8. Radio amateurs residing in deed-restricted apartments, condominium units, and homes face severe antenna challenges.  In this video from "Ham Radio Concepts", we see some tests and reviews of stealthy, ultra lightweight dipole antennas made by N9SAD.  Considering the limitations faced by these antennas, they perform quite well.  If you're discouraged by your HOA/CC&R regulations, you may want to consider one of these stealth antennas from N9SAD. 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

If you can't views this video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unIiqNuzHNI. If you enjoy working the lower HF bands (160 meters through 40 meters), tall structures such as trees are a must to get antennas high enough to make DX contacts a regular event.  Over the years, many radio amateurs have made antenna launchers that will shoot your antennas over trees and other structures. In this video from Tinker Tom (W5CYF), we learn how to build a simple and inexpensive antenna launcher that will cost you less than $25.00 and take only 30 minutes to assemble.  The components are simple:  a slingshot, a support arm, and a casting fishing reel with a sinker attached.  Tinker Tom has used this basic tool to launch antenna wires to heights between 75 and 100 feet (22.86 to 30.48 meters) above ground level. For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please visit these websites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. https://oa

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