Simple Ham Radio Antennas

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKXfdBMpytQ. The ARRL Field Day emergency communications exercise is coming to the last full weekend in June (23-24 June 2018).  Thousands of radio amateurs from the U.S. and Canada will be on the air testing their antennas, rigs, and emergency procedures during this busy weekend.  Although Field Day is an official preparedness exercise, the event is also a popular contest which fills the amateur radio bands with exciting calls and locations. In this video from the "HamRadioConcepts Amateur Radio Channel", we learn the basics of operating a Field Day ham station  and how to make effective contacts during the brief operations period.  Later on, I'll be sharing some intriguing antenna designs for your consideration.  So, check out the video and prepare yourself for an exciting contest experience. Viewpoints expressed in this video are those

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdGvjRyo0LM. If you want to try some fascinating antenna experiments, consider operating pedestrian mobile on 80 meters.  With a little ingenuity, a coil loaded wire on fiberglass rod, and a trailing radial wire, you could have some real fun.  Martin (VA3PCJ), Mark (VA3UPM), Ante (VA2BBW, Patrick (VA3CMD, and Jose (VA3PCJ), modified a few designs from Peter Parker (VK3YE) and came up with this person-portable ham radio station.  Interesting idea.  Be sure your back gets some support. For the latest Amateur/Ham 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 afternoon). https://hamradiohawaii.wordpress.com. https://bigislandarrlnews.com. https://amateurradionewsinformation.com (Amateur Radio News & Informati

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaSPcCwlb34. One of the easiest and most effective HF antennas you can make is a properly designed half wavelength dipole mounted at least 1/2 wavelength above ground for your chosen band of operation. Stan Gibilisco (W1GV) does an excellent job of explaining the theory, construction, and use of HF dipole antennas.  As Stan explains, this antenna is capable of multiband operation because of a balanced feed line used in conjunction with a balanced antenna "tuner" mounted at the end point of the balanced feed line.  A convenient length of 50 ohm coaxial cable (such as RG-8, RG-8X) run from the "tuner" to your rig completes the antenna system.  An automatic antenna "tuner" simplifies the tuning process.  Be sure each antenna element is cut for the lowest band of use. Stan calls this HF antenna the "perfect open-wire dipole

If you can't see this video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXD9rAOM_o4. If you use a "long" or "random length" wire for your HF antenna, you'll probably need a simple antenna transmatch (i.e. "tuner") to reduce SWR and RFI caused by the mismatch between your antenna and your transceiver. In this well-produced video, Kevin Loughin (KB9RLW) takes us step-by-step in the design, construction, and use of a simple L tuner for random length wire antennas.  This basic impedance transformer can be used at home and for field operations.  Views expressed in this video are those of KB9RLW. For the latest Amateur/Ham 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 afternoon). https://hamradiohawaii.wordpress.com. https://bigislandarrlnews.com.

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOCG6bFGfuE. An antenna analyzer is a useful addition to your ham shack. In this video from Randy Hall (K7AGE), we learn how to use the popular MFJ-259/269 Antenna Analyzer to check your antenna for SWR and Resonance.  This fairly inexpensive tool will come in handy the next time your build a new antenna or maintain your current "skyhook."  Randy does an excellent job of explaining how the MFJ-259/269 works and what you can expect to gain from using this device.  Views expressed in this video are those of Randy Hall (K7AGE). For the latest Amateur/Ham 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 afternoon). https://hamradiohawaii.wordpress.com. https://bigislandarrlnews.com. https://amateurradionew