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=OJnp4BDST8U. Here's an excellent antenna idea for those radio amateurs living in deed-restricted housing governed by HOAs and CC&Rs.  This easily made magnetic loop antenna covers the 10-12 meter Amateur Radio bands and can be made from locally available materials.  The antenna can be used for  home, portable, and emergency use. The video is clear, concise, and easily understood.  Although several companies produce magnetic loop antennas, it may be more fun "to roll your own".  If you feel ambitious, why not make a magnetic loop antenna for 40 and 20 meters?  You may be surprised just how well these small antennas work.  A compromise antenna is better than no antenna. For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please visit these websites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. https://oahuarrlnews.wordpress.com. https://bigislandarrl

If you can't view this video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnYIMAbKfCg. A short while ago, I reported on how Julian (OHJ8STN) was preparing for The Winter Field Day event.  In that video, Julian outlined what was needed to survive and operate an Amateur Radio Station in a severe northern latitude (above 65-degrees north). In this update of that adventure, Julian provides an excellent after-action report showing the benefits of planning, the practicality of using a "go-kit" for portable operations, and how to maximize your operational efficiency in an extremely cold environment.  Julian does an outstanding job of describing how to design, build, and use a "go-kit" for field operations.  Julian's suggestions can apply to many climatic situations, especially when he discusses the importance of pre-planning, pre-testing of equipment, and emergency procedures in extreme climates.  It's perha

If you can't view this video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcnWkbiD79c. Designing, building, and using a 160 meter antenna for a small urban lot is quite a challenge, especially if you live in a deed-restricted area.  "HamPrepper" made this "junk bin" special to see if he could get on 160 with a decent signal with just some material he had around his ham shack.  The antenna works, aided by the use of 300-ohm feed line and a sturdy MFJ-989c "tuner."  The privacy fence does a lot to hide the antenna from prying eyes.  If you use this type of antenna, be sure to place as many ground radial as you can to reduce RFI and SWR, as well as increase antenna efficiency.  The old tale is true:  a compromised antenna is better than no antenna. For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please visit these websites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. https://oahuarrlnews.wordpress.com. https:/

Quick 6-Meter Mobile Antenna. Source: QST, February 2018, Vol. 102, No. 2, p. 94. This short post is a follow on to the 6-Meter video tutorial posted on 29 Janaury 2018 (Post #1387) by Randy Hall (K7AGE). While I was searching for some 6-meter mobile antenna ideas, I ran across this article in the February 2018 edition of "QST" published by the ARRL (American Radio Relay League).  This brief article was part of "The World Above 50 MHz" column, pp. 93 to 96. According to the article, you can find a quick, cheap, and effective 6-meter mobile antenna by using a 5/8 wave 2-meter mobile antenna.  The column states that "the 2-meter 5/8 wave whip is about 1/4 wave long on 50 MHz.  The loading coil is essentially invisible at 50 MHz.  Thus, you have two bands--50 and 144 MHz--mobile with one antenna.  You may have to adjust the length a little to optimize the standing-wave ration (SWR) on 50 MHz." If you choose to use your 5/8 wave 2-m

If you can't view this video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RR3MSQw7iZo. If you've ever wanted to get on the 6 meter amateur radio band, then this video produced in 2009 from Randy Hall (K7AGE) is just what you need.  Despite the passage of a decade since Randy's video became available online, much of what he says about "The Magic Band" still holds true. The 6 meter band (50 MHz)  has a dual personality, sharing some characteristics of both HF and VHF.  Most of the time, 6 meters is a good local or regional band, with many areas of the country having repeaters for the band and clubs dedicated to exploring the features of this segment of the radio spectrum.  Although popularity of the band has suffered a bit over the past few years because of reduced propagation, Sporatic E-Skip can boost coverage to almost 1,500 miles/2430 kilometers or even more. In this video, Randy describes the type of trans