Simple Ham Radio Antennas

If you can't view this video, please insert this title URL into your browser's search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEO9JSRXeZI. If you're looking for an experimental antenna you can use in deed-restricted properties (HOAs/CC&Rs) or for portable and emergency operations, the magnetic loop antennas described by Kevin Loughin (KB9RLW) may be what you need. Kevin does an excellent job of explaining the theory, design, construction, and  use of these small antennas.  He also discusses the limitations and safety concerns related to magnetic loop antennas. 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

If you can't view this video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51wEd-Wg1IQ. If you have some space and a good amount of tall trees on your property, you may want to build this antenna for your 160 meter operations.  The keys to this project are a decent radial/counterpoise system and an efficient way to launch the long wire element for this antenna.  In this video, Dave ("AllAmericanFiveRadio") uses a pneumatic weight launcher to put the antenna into a tall tree--surely beats a bow and arrow and the slingshot I've used in the past. The video is loaded with many great ideas for designing, building, and using a practical and simple 160 meter antenna.  Be sure to have a good radial ground or counterpoise system to maximize the performance of this antenna. For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please visit these websites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. https://oahuarrlnews.wordpress.com. ht

If you can't view this video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ree8NtpEEWA. Here's another interesting variant of the familiar end-fed halfwave antenna.  In this video, Steve Ellington shows how he added 160, 60, and 6 meters to his 130-foot/39.63 meter random wire, which already covered the 80, 40, 20, 15, and 10 meter bands.  The key is the addition of a 12-volt relay which bypass regular tuning, allowing for 160, 60, and 6 meter coverage. For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please visit these websites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. https://oahuarrlnews.wordpress.com. https://bigislandarrlnews.come. 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). Hawaii Intelligence Digest

If you can't view this video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAiiIzV8NpI. Here's another portable antenna idea from Dave Tadlock (KG0ZZ). In this video, Dave shows us how to build a lightweight 2 meter quad antenna that can be carried in your backpack when you go camping, hiking, or participating in SOTA (Summits On The Air) events.  A more robust version can be used at your home station to hit distant repeaters or for trying some 2 meter DX.  Dave takes you step-by-step through the design, construction, and use of this versatile antenna. For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please visit these websites: http://wwwHawaiiARRL.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

If you can't view this video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEidACZ1Ebc. Here's another great portable/emergency radio "go kit" that can be assembled from locally available parts or from a number of online amateur radio equipment dealers. John Jacobs (W7DBO) has done an excellent job of designing and building a portable ham radio station suitable for field operations.  It's always a good idea to have a backup station available when disaster strikes or when you feel like bringing amateur radio along during a hike or camping trip. 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

If you can't view this video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch/v=uWgP9YE9pOU. A nice video tutorial from Kevin Loughin (KB9RLW) on how to fix one of the popular MFJ antenna "tuners"--in this case, a MFJ-962D Roller Inductor tuner rated at 1.5 KW. Apparently, something in the roller inductor failed, leading to some burned components.  Kevin has done an excellent job of diagnosing the problem and then fixing the breakdown.  A clear, understandable step-by-step repair procedure. 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://hawaiisciencedi

If you can't view this video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HTOWnMFj_E. In this video, "Prepper Ohio" shows us some of the small, compact antennas available for Amateur Radio VHF/UHF hand held transceivers.  A good, basic tutorial on how to chose the best antenna for your HT.  It's been my experience that the standard "rubber duck" antenna that comes with most HTs delivers marginal performance.  A 1/2 wavelength whip antenna is perhaps a better choice.  You may also want to attach a "tiger tail"  to the base of your "rubber duck" stock antenna.  This 1/4 wavelength wire will increase the performance and efficiency of the stock antenna.  The "tiger tail" serves as a counterpoise wire, supplying the "missing half" of the helically wound 1/4 wavelength stock antenna. For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please visit these websites: http: