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=RRkbdTadmUU. Another clear, well-produced video tutorial from Dave Casler (KE0Og). In this program, Dave shows how to tune a manual antenna "tuner" with both an external SWR meter and with the SWR meter built into your transceiver.  Manual "tuners" are less expensive than automatic ones and are "perfectly okay" for your station.  At my home station, I use an old Drake MN-4 antenna "tuner" for most of my work on 40, 20, 15, and 10 meters.  Coupled with a 1:4 current balun and a balanced feed line (450 ohm ladder line), I can use my 40 meter inverted vee on several HF bands.  Dave's suggestions are clear and easy to follow--an excellent tutorial for any radio amateur. For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please visit these websites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. https://oahuarrlnews.wordpress.com. h

If you can't views this video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGyAveQsf60. An end-fed antenna is capable of excellent performance if you carefully consider its length, ground radial system requirements, and a balun/"tuner" combination to reduce SWR and RFI problems. In this video, "Outdoors On The Radio" shows us how he installed a 75-ft/12.86-m end-fed antenna in a small backyard.  According to the video, "the antenna is performing well, even in a compromised situation."  This video should give you some useful antenna ideas for your location. For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please visit these websites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. https://oahuarrlnews.wordpress.com. http://www.arrl.org. http://www.arrl.org/arrl-audio-news (a weekly podcast which is updated each Friday). https://bigislandarrlnews.com. http://amateurradionewsinformation.com (Amateur Radio News

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://