Simple Ham Radio Antennas

If you can't views this video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psUdNEfDIc4. Here's another stealth antenna for those unfortunate enough to live in deed-restrictive housing (i.e. HOAs and CC&Rs).  This antenna consists of a LDG S9v31 antenna with 24 radials made from CAT 5 cable.  Like many things in life, antenna use in an HOA/CC&R situation implies a certain amount of risk, so be careful how and when you build, erect, and lower the stealth antenna.  Another workable alternative is to use a "flagpole" mast to support our national colors as well as support a simple vertical with a buried radial system. The best stealth antenna I've used is an "on the ground" antenna designed by Tom Moia (K3MT).  Just search my blog pages or index for this antenna.  A google search will turn up variations of this unlikely antenna which does work, given its limitations.  In any case, this post shoul

If you can't view this video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5OqrvyjTgs. A well-constructed video tutorial from Jim (W6LG) on how to make a strong, durable, and weather resistant center insulator for a dipole antenna.  Jim makes the dipole center insulator from PVC plumbing parts, coax connectors, and screw eyes.  Most of the material should be available from your neighborhood building or electrical supply outlet.  This easily made accessory will support a variety of antenna styles from inverted vees to fan dipoles. For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please visit these 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). http://amateurradionewsinformation.com (Amateur Radio News & Information). Be sure to check the blog sidebars for m

If you can't view this video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxZrro2aKo. Here's a fun antenna project that only takes about an hour and costs between $15-$20 to make.  KF7TOV does an excellent job of showing how to make a simple, cheap, and effective 2 meter yagi antenna with commonly available materials.  Radio Direction enthusiasts have used this type of antenna for years to participate in RDF "foxhunts" and to identify noise sources in neighborhoods.  This antenna is suitable for both home and field use. 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: http://

If you can't view this video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJ5aYxLzJyM. Here's a simple, inexpensive, and efficient 2-element 10 meter yagi you can build in time for the Winter Field Day exercise (27-28 January 2018) or for the regular summer ARRL Field Day event during the last full weekend in June. Dave (KG0ZZ) takes you step-by-step through the design, construction, and operational phases of this 10 meter yagi antenna which can be used for both home and portable operations.  A lightweight mast and rotor will round out the project.  This would make a great club project for newly licensed Technician Class radio amateurs.  Techs have a good slice of the 10 meter band, and given decent propagation, they could experience the DX thrills many of us get during a contest. For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please visit these websites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. https://oahuarrlnews.wordpress.co

Slim Jim/J Pole Calculator (https://m0ukd.com/calculators/slim-jim-and-j-pole-calculator/) Author:  Jim (M0UKD). Accessed on 20 January 2018, 1948 UTC, Post #1378. Please click link to download the complete article, calculator, and photos. Comment: An extremely well done introduction to the Slim Jim/J Pole antenna system from Jim (MK0UKD). Jim provides essential design, construction, and operational procedures for this popular antenna, which is widely used on VHF/UHF amateur radio bands.  With a little creativity and a bit more space, J Poles can be used on the 20m, 17m, 15m, 12m, and 10m amateur radio bands. Jim provides excellent reference sources, along with photos and visuals that explain the basic theory behind these 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 (

If you can't view this video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E56WIIpf2gA. Here's a case where a little ingenuity and creativity can create a working antenna for a modest cost, and perhaps even free.  The radio amateurs behind "HamRadioConcepts" have made two fully functional magnetic loop antennas from an old bicycle rim and a steel tape measure.  Using the MFJ-935b loop "tuner", these ordinary household items were transformed into working antennas for the 10 and 12 meter bands.  For those living in antenna restricted HOAs and CC&Rs, this video should give you some ideas for making a stealth antenna for your location. For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please visit these websites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. http://www.arrl.org. http://www.arrl.org/arrl-audio-news (a weekly podcast which is updated each Friday). https://oahuarrlnews.wordpress.com. https://bigislandar

If you can't view this video podcast, please enter this title URL into your browser search box://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZxoxGya8cc. Many radio amateurs are preparing for the winter edition of the ARRL Field Day.  The customary and traditional date for the ARRL operating event usually falls during the final full weekend of June, but some amateur radio operators are taking to the "field" for the colder weather of January.  This year, the Winter Field Day is set for  27-28 January 2018, with rules similar to the June ARRL Field Day exercise. In this podcast from "EVERYTHING HAMRADIO, we see how members of the  Chesapeake Amateur Radio Service are preparing for field operations in the dead of winter.  The video offers a lot of valuable suggestions and practical survival tips for winter operations.  These guide lines will be especially helpful for radio amateurs operating in northern latitudes.  For those of us in semi-tropical areas, such as Hawaii (my lo