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=lZkWPP13S6k. An interesting, well-thought out, and easy to follow tutorial on how to make an effective, simple Delta Loop Antenna for the 6-Meter Amateur Radio band. M0ZMF and G3RCW have produced a totally clear and understandable method of designing, building, and using an antenna that produces excellent results on "The Magic Band."  The antenna doesn't use much space, so it can be mounted in your backyard with room to spare.  Try this antenna.  You won't be disappointed. 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 & In

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser searchbox: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMCKOHyfeJ0. Here's an interesting magnetic loop antenna from Peter Parker (VK3YE) when he first started experimenting with this type of HF antenna.  According to Peter, this "compact magnetic loop antenna (is) capable of operation on all amateur radio bands between 160-10 meters."  Although the efficiency is quite low, Peter was able to make solid contacts from his backyard with this experimental transmitting loop. Peter says the feed line "connects directly to the copper tube which has a tapping point for the coax inner...other builders use a second smaller loop inside." If you have restricted space for a multiband HF antenna, you may want to try Peter's antenna. For the latest Amateur/Ham Radio news and information, please check these websites: http://www.arrl.org. http://www.arrl.org/arrl-audio-news (a weekly podcast w

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeumSDLXBKM. If you can't join your Amateur Radio Club for this year's ARRL Field Day (23-24 June 2018), why not go solo and set up camping-based single station for the event. In this video "Outdoors On The Air" mounted a small, one-man Field Day station in his back yard for the 2014 event.  He did rather well, making 135 contacts on 40, 20, and 15 meters with a few end-fed wire antennas. There are special categories for single-operator stations, including mobile, battery-powered, or commercially powered arrangements.  Be sure to bring plenty of coffee and snacks--it will be a long, intense night. For the latest Amateur/Ham Radio news and information, please visit these websites: http://www.arrl.org. http://www.arrl.org/arrl-audio-news (a weekly podcast which is updated each Friday). https://hamradiohawaii.wordpress.com. https://bi

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch>v=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWZZlpHJKT8. Another way to get on 160 meters on a medium-sized urban lot is to design and build a simple 160 Meter Inverted L Antenna.  In this video from Bob Holowenko, we see how he built an effective 160 Meter Inverted L Antenna from 127 feet/38.719 meters of wire, six-127 feet/39.719 meters radials, and "a pile of random wire, including a fence."  You may find Bob's antenna a good start for your 160 meter antenna. For the latest Amateur/Ham Radio news and information, please visit these websites: https://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 & Information). Be sure to check the blog sidebars an

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLhNUmolKKY. Dave Tadlock (KG0ZZ) does an excellent job of taking us through the theory, design, construction, and use of a multiband V dipole antenna covering the 40, 80, and 160 meter amateur radio bands.  Like the previous post by Peter Parker (VK3YE), Dave takes a 40 meter dipole or inverted V and adds more bands by means of loading coils, carefully chosen element lengths, and optimal height to give us multiband capabilities without the use of an antenna transmatch (i.e. "tuner"). While there is some loss of efficiency and bandwidth, this antenna brings you the opportunity of operating on lower HF bands with just one antenna structure.  Dave adds that this antenna can fit in most urban lots with a little pre-planning.  A good, overall HF antenna for this age of marginal propagation. For the latest Amateur/Ham Radio news and information, ple

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v-4kRz6fPFKY. Here's an easy, inexpensive way to add the 80 meter amateur radio band to your existing 40 meter dipole antenna.  With the solar cycle heading towards the bottom, lower HF frequencies, such as 80 and 160 meters, become dependable, viable bands for radio amateurs. In this video, Peter Parker (VK3YE) uses end loading coils to make a 7 MHz dipole operate on 3.5 MHz.  If you're willing to sacrifice some efficiency and bandwidth, this antenna modification will get you on the air quickly from your home QTH. Here are some observations from Peter regarding overall design and construction suggestions for this antenna transformation: "A 7 MHz dipole made to operate on 3.5 MHz by adding end loading coils. It won't be as efficient as a full sized 80m dipole and the bandwidth will be narrow. However it will get you on the air from a s

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLq3nBQppqg. If you want a good general coverage HF antenna that exhibits low noise, please consider the horizontal loop. In this video, Rob Wagner (VK3BVW) describes the large horizontal loop used at his QTH.  He compares the design, installation, and noise reduction capabilities of this antenna with several of his dipole antennas. Rob's horizontal loop is large (43 meters/141.04 feet for each of its four sides--a total of 172 meters/564.16 feet for the complete antenna), making this antenna suitable for several amateur radio bands from 160 to 10 meters.  Depending on the type of feed line used, you can either design the loop for single band or multiband purposes.  An antenna transmatch or "tuner" is needed for the antenna to reach its most efficient operation. For the latest Amateur/Ham Radio news and information, please visit these websi