Simple Ham Radio Antennas

Cobra Antenna Project by W4JOH--160 Meter and up Restricted (http://www.hamuniverse.com/cobraantenna.html). Author:  Raymond A. Cook (W4OJH)--revised by N4UJW. Accessed on 22 February 2018, 0147 UTC, Post #1410. Please enter the title URL into your browser search box to read the full article. Comment: Here's a HF antenna that you don't see very often.  The Cobra Antenna, which can be used on Amateur Radio bands from 160 meters through 10 meters, first appeared in the June 1997 edition of "73 Magazine Amateur Radio Today."  In that article, Raymond A Cook (W4OJH) described a type of folded dipole made from standard insulated wire (about 14 gauge) and fed with 450 ohm ladder line into an antenna "tuner."  The antenna's name is an apparent reference to the antenna's "S-Shaped" configuration of its multi-band elements.  The antenna works on its primary and harmonic operating frequencies as a standard ladder line fed dipole. N4UJ

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1_H-4dw31Q. A near faultless presentation by Callum McCormick (M0MCX) covering basic theory, construction, and operation of dipoles, loops, and other wire antennas.  He clearly demonstrates what happens when you change the shape, height, and location of wire antennas. His explanation of loop antennas is particularly good. Callum says he developed this video from a presentation he gave before his radio club.  This video would make an excellent discussion topic for your next club meeting or for helping those enrolled in a Foundation or Technician License Class.  You may want to download this video and keep it in your reference library. 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:

A High Efficiency Extended Length Mobile Antenna (http://w5jgv.com/mobile_antenna/). Author:  Ralph M. Hartwell II (W5JGV). Accessed on 19 February 2018, 2013 UTC, Post #1408. Please click link or enter title into your browser search box to read the full article and view the photographs, graphs, and technical data. Comment: Operating a mobile amateur radio station can be lots of fun mixed with antenna, grounding, and installation problems common to vehicles.  In most cases, mobile amateur radio antennas tend to be small and inefficient. In this article, Ralph (W5JGV) tries to overcome these restrictions by designing, buidling, and using a mobile antenna that is sturdier and longer than the usual mobile antenna.  Ralph's multi-band mobile antenna is 3.42 meters/11 ft, 2 in long from the top of the mounting spring to the top of the antenna itself.  A shorting strap is used to operate on the 15, 12, and 10 meter bands.  Center-loaded coils are used to operate and 40 an

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXqSY5JKQzs. You can still design, build, and use a multi band HF dipole antenna even if you don't have an antenna "tuner", "traps", or a lot of space.  In this video, K7PP shows us step-by-step how he created an efficient "Fan Dipole" antenna for his medium-sized back yard.  Just follow the easy directions in this video and you soon will have an efficient, relatively inexpensive, and effective multi band HF dipole antenna for your station. For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please visit these web sites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. http://www.arrl.org. http://www.arrl.org/arrl-audio-news (a weekly podcast which is updated each Friday). https://hamradiohawaii.wordpress.com. https://bigislandarrlnews.com. https://paper.li/kh6jrm/1430289353 (Amateur Radio News & Information)--temporary URL. Be sure

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgdP8ao71Cc. You should also get the author's script and a list of NVIS technical references. This exceptionally well-done video from "GUERRILLACOMM" shows you how to design, build, tune, and operate a NVIS (Near Vertical Incident Skyway) antenna for portable or emergency use. According to the author, this low-lying NVIS dipole antenna is designed for 7 MHz (40 meter amateur radio band) and will cover local, state, and regional areas near your home.  It's always a good practice to test your portable antennas before you go to the field so you can make adjustments without stress or strain. Reaction to the video has been favorable, with suggestions ranging from wire trimming to best height above ground for efficient operations. Carl (N6CKV) suggests "Rather than cutting the wire to tune your antenna, try to fold the excess length ba

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch/v=RXGp6TBBMFQ. This video from Randy Hall (K7AGE) is part 2 of an extended interview with Jeri Ellsworth (AI6TK) and Amy Herndon (AI6ZU) during the couple's visit to Quartzfest 2018 in Arizona. In this video, Randy, Jeri, and Amy go outside the RV (recreational vehicle) to examine the antenna system for their vehicle.  Some of the ideas discussed in this post could be helpful for radio amateurs who operate under severed restrictions, such as HOAs and CC&Rs.  Overall, an excellent interview with some fascinating rig and antenna ideas. For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please visit these web sites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. http://www.arrl.org. http://www.arrl.org/arrl-audio-news (a weekly podcast which is updated each Friday). https://bigislandarrlnews.com. https://hamradiohawaii.wordpress.com. https://paper.li/kh6jrm/1430289

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7-ttbOaLvM&t=78s. A fascinating and educational video tutorial on how to create a portable amateur radio station for a RV (recreational vehicle).  Randy Hall (K7AGE) dropped by the 2018 Quartzfest in Arizona to interview Jeri Ellsworth (AI6TK) and Amy Herndon (AI6ZU) as they prepared to operate at this annual festival for RV owners.  It's interesting to note how Jeri and Amy worked around grounding and antenna problems to get their mobile station on the air.  Some of the suggestions discussed in this video could be useful for radio amateurs operating in deed-restricted properties (HOAs/CC&Rs). 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). http://amateurradionewsinformation.co