Posts

Stealth Antenna Setup. Post #1509.

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If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXzOrw4TUQc. An impressive "antenna farm" from the "Fishing Ham."  Although his outside HF antennas are by no means stealthy, his VHF/UHF antennas in the attic are impressive and completely out of view. The antenna arrangement includes a W3EDP for lower HF use; a vertical dipole for higher HF bands; a DK7ZB 5-element 2 meter beam, homebrews 432/222/1296 MHz yagis; a homebrews 6 meter moxon antenna; and a homebrew log periodic HDTV antenna that can be used on 900 MHz.  Hopefully, this installation will give you some new  antenna ideas. For the latest Amateur/Ham Radio news and information, please visit these websites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. http://www.arrl.org. https://www.arrl.org/arrl-audio-news (a weekly podcast which is updated each Friday afternoon). https://hamradiohawaii.wordpress.com. https://bigislandarrlnews.com. h

Multiband HF Portable Antenna, the easy way. Post #1508.

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If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofmUK8o7Jxg. Nicely done video tutorial from "rcobo 101" (AC2RJ) on how to design, build, and use a multiband HF portable vertical antenna.  The material list is short:  35 feet/10.67 meters of speaker wire wrapped as a helix around a 20 foot/16.097 meters fiberglass pole, a sturdy tripod, an antenna transmatch (i.e. "tuner"), a basic ground radial system, a CW key, portable power, and a suitable HF transceiver.  My current vertical at my home station is a variation of this design using 65 feet/19.81 meters of speaker wire mounted as a vertical helix on a 33 foot/10.06 meters telescoping fiberglass pole.  I use 450 ohm ladder line to feed the antenna, which is, in turn, connected to a 4:1 current balun/coax cable combination connected to my trusty Drake MN-4 "tuner."  A modest set of 8 quarter wave radials cut for 7.088 MHz c

Rebuild MFJ-1622 Apartment Antenna for Ham Radio HF. Post #1507.

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If you can't see the video, please enter this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSOt9KRooek. The MFJ-1622 Apartment Antenna has been around for several years, and can be modified to improve its performance on any Amateur Radio band from 40 meters through 2 meters.  The antenna is a good choice for those of use operating in deed-restricted properties governed by HOAs and CC&Rs. In this well-thought out tutorial, "North Carolina Prepper" shows us how to improve the basic design of the MFJ-1622 so it performs at a higher level. I have one of these antennas for portable and emergency use, and  find the antenna works a lot better if you replace the coax feed line with RG-8X and attach a radial wire for each band of use. Of course, changing the tap on the coil would be the first step in upgrading this antenna, but using better coax and using a few radial wires wouldn't hurt, either.  The video does an excellent job of mak

Cheap, Quick, Easy to Build, Works Great QRP Portable Antenna. Post #1506,

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If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YyZbQEUtyE4. Here's a simple, easy to make HF antenna suitable for home station, portable, or emergency use.  According to Tinker John (W5CYF), all you need are some old headphone cases, a few lengths of wire, and a few pieces of equipment from your shack to build this inexpensive HF antenna.  Although this project was designed for the 20 meter Amateur Radio band (cut for 14.200 MHz), you could scale a similar antenna for any band between 160 and 10 meters.  This antenna should be part of your emergency "go-kit" when disaster strikes. 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://a

Build a Portable 10 Meter Yagi Antenna. Post #1505.

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If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJ5aYxLzJyM. Here's another interesting video from Dave Tadlock (KG0ZZ).  This time, Dave shows us how to make a simple 2 element yagi antenna for the 10 meter Amateur Radio band.  By following Dave's step-by-step instructions, you'll have a fully functioning 10 meter yagi in time for the upcoming ARRL Field Day (23-24 June 2018).  The antenna is suitable for both home and portable use. 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 & Information). https://www.eham.net. http://www.southgatearc.org. Thanks for joining us today

Field Day Antennas. Post #1504.

Field Day Antennas. Post #1504. https://www.dxzone.com/best-field-day-antenna/ Accessed on 26 May 2018, 1910 UTC, Post #1504. Please click link to read the full article. Comment: With the ARRL Field Day fast approaching (23-24 June 2018), it's time to consider what kind of antennas will be suitable for your field day site, whether you operate alone or with an amateur radio club. Emergency and portable antennas should be simple, easy to make, portable, and offer good performance. Our friends at https://www.dxzone.com have compiled a list of what they call "13 Cool Ideas for Your Field Day Antenna."  Most of these antennas can be made in the "field" with commonly available materials. Here's the list for your consideration: End fed halfwave antenna for 6/40 meters from EARC--Hawaii's Emergency Amateur Radio Club . Smith Windom Six Band HF Windom Antenna from K3MT. Vertical Antenna for 20-15-10 m from F5ZV. KN5L Field Day Vertical

How to build a three element beam antenna for 2 meters. Post #1503.

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If you can't see the video, please enter this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8RVqsdnKow. If you need a simple, inexpensive, and effective 3 element 2 meter yagi antenna for the ARRL Field Day (23-24 June 2018), then this video from "Prepping Ohio" is just the thing you need.  "Prepping Ohio" made this portable 2 meter yagi from materials he found around his home and immediate neighborhood.  According to "Prepping Ohio", the homebrewed antenna "worked surprisingly well...I was able to make several qsos on only 1 watt."  A basic, practical, and simple antenna suitable for both home and field use. 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.