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=BrvgcxVqwng. Another excellent video tutorial from Dave Tadlock (KG0ZZ).  In this video, Dave reviews the basics of building HF/VHF cubical quad antennas. His presentation is clear, concise, and helpful. Dave does a good job of explaining the theory, construction, and operation of cubical quad antennas in a variety of operating environments. He also reviews the formulas used in calculating dimensions and spacings between elements.  Although cubical quads have been used extensively on the VHF/UHF amateur radio bands, they can also be found on some of the HF bands, including, 20, 15, 10, and 6 meters.  On lower HF bands (i.e. 40, 80, and 160 meters), quads tend to be quite large and bit unwieldy. For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please visit these websites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. https://oahuarrlnews.wordpress.com. https://bigislan

If you can't view this video, please enter this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dw1rz0CVn90. In this video, Julian (OH8STN) does an outstanding job of building two man-portable magnetic loop antennas which can complement your "Go Kit" or backup antenna system.  The video supplies specifications for two different antennas, based on the Chameleon Magnetic Loop Antenna.  Either of these antennas can be used in portable or emergency situations, where space and weight are considerations. 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. http://amateurradionewsinformation.com (Amateur Radio News & Information). Other sites of interest: Hawaii Science Digest (http://hawaiisciencedigest.com)

If you can't view this video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcnWkbiD79c. Operating on 160 meters from a deed-restricted home, apartment, or condominium unit can be a difficult challenge.  You can still pursue contacts in "The Gentlemen's Band" if you use some creativity and willingness to experiment with the materials you have on hand. In this video from "Ham Prepper", we see how a "junk bin special" can get you on 160 meters without nosey neighbors reporting you to the "housing police." In this case, "Ham Prepper" used some 300 ohm television twin lead, a MFJ-989c antenna transmatch (i.e. "tuner"), and a quarter wave length of wire for 160 meters to get on the air.  Although this antenna could be improved considerably with a better ground radial or counterpoise system, it does work.  You do what you can with what you have around you.  This video s

If you can't view this video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgdP8ao71Cc. Here's another great idea for a temporary portable or emergency HF antenna designed for field use.  In this video, GUERRILLACOM designs, builds, and operates an effective NVIS (near vertical incidence skywave) dipole antenna. NVIS antennas are effective omnidirectional antennas that can cover local, state, and regional communications requirements.  This type of low-level dipole antenna is perfect for local nets, roundtables, and "rag chews."  Just design the antenna for the lowest HF band of use, feed the antenna with balanced line, attach a 1:1 or 4:1 current balun, run 50 ohm coaxial cable from the balun to your antenna "tuner", and you're ready to go. For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please visit these websites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. https://oahuarrlnews.wordpress.com. https://bigislan

ZS6BKW Antenna (https://w2lj.blogspot.com/2017/hmmmmmmmm.html). Author:  W2LJ. Accessed on 20 November 2017, 0125 UTC. Please click link or enter title URL into your browser search box to read the full article. Comment: The G5RV antenna and it variants are great tools for antenna experiments.  One of the more popular G5RV dipole antennas is the ZS6BKW, which is an optimized G5RV covering the 10, 12, 17, 20, and 40 meter amateur radio bands without the need for an antenna "tuner".  The 6, 15, 30, and 80 meter amateur radio bands can be worked with an antenna "tuner" with some loss of performance and efficiency. In this post by W2LJ, we see a preliminary design that will cover the 10,12, 17, 20, and 40 meter amateur radio bands without a "tuner".  All specifications are given, including total antenna length, the length of the 450 ohm matching section, the type of choke or current balun required, and the approximate lenght of 50 ohm coaxial cable n

Wire Antenna Calculator (http://www.ws6x.com/ant_calc.htm) Author:  Jim Clymer, Jr (WS6X). Accessed on 19 November 2017, 0255 UTC. Please click link or enter title URL into your browser to read the full article. Comment: If you experiment with HF amateur radio antennas, this Wire Antenna Calculator from Jim Clymer, Jr. (WS6X) will save you a lot of time as you configure and trim your HF antenna ideas.  I've made a copy of the article for my reference library, since I tend to try many antenna designs at my QTH. Here are the main antennas discussed by Jim: Standard Flat Top Dipole. Inverted Vee. Quad Loops. Equilateral Delta Loops. Full Wave Loops. Each section carries some basic antenna theory and construction tips to maximize the performance of these popular antennas. The calculator is simple.  All  you have to do is fill in the calculator form and press the calculate button. For the latest Amateur Radio News and Information, please visit these websites: ht

NVIS: Near Vertical Incidence Skywave (http://www.arrl.org/news/view/the-doctor-will-see-you-now-43) Accessed on 17 November 2017, 1630 UTC. Authors:  Steve Ford (WB8IMY) and Joel Hallas (W1ZR). Please click link or enter title URL into your browser search box to access the podcast. Comment: "NVIS:  Near Vertical Incidence Skywave" is the topic of the current issue of the "ARRL The Doctor is In" podcast.  The "ARRL The Doctor is In" is sponsored by DX Engineering and  covers "all things technical." The twice monthly podcast features hosts, QST Editor-in-Chief Steve Ford (WB8IMY) and the "Doctor", Joel Hallas *W1ZR), who discuss a wide range of technical issues. You can access the podcast directly by visiting https://www.blubrry.com/arrl_the_doctor_is_in/ For the latest Amateur Radio New and Information, please visit these websites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. https://oahuarrlnews.wordpress.com. https