Simple Ham Radio Antennas

If you can't view the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKOVso4CJFA An excellent video tutorial from "Signal Search" (K5ACL) on how to install a Hustler 6BTV Vertical Antenna.  This well-made and organized video takes you from start to finish, and will have you on the air in just a few hours.  Pay particular attention to the issue of the ground radial or counterpoise system, which is needed for peak performance and efficiency.  You may want to consider four elevated radial wires if you have the space on your property.  Otherwise, bury as many radial wires as you can.  The Hustler 6BTV is an excellent antenna if you build it carefully and take time to maximize its performance. 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

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqh0Ntus5G0. If you need a simple, efficient, cheap, and lightweight antenna for portable or field operations, the "HQD" Speaker Wire Antenna from Jerry (KG6HQD) may be the answer.  The antenna resembles several designs featured in past editions of the "ARRL Antenna Book."  Those examples used commonly available "zip cord" available at many hardware and home improvement outlets.  Jerry shows us how to build the antenna in a few simple steps.  Used with an antenna transmatch (i.e. "tuner"), the antenna is capable of multiband operation--something that should appeal to SOTA (Summits on the Air) and QRP (low power) enthusiasts.  Based on research conducted by the ARRL and my own experience, these antennas provide excellent results on the lower HF bands (80/40 meters).  Higher HF bands may suffer significant losses, depen

WB9DLC Antennas-WB9DLC.com http://wb9dlc.com/Portable_Vertical_Antenna.htm. Author:  WB9DLC. Accessed on 24 August 2018, 2229 UTC, Post #1595. Comment: Taking your ham station on the road or to a park, beach, or campground is an enjoyable experience if you can solve the antenna problem. With a little creativity and a few parts bought at your neighborhood home improvement or hardware store, you can make a lightweight, portable antenna that will be welcome in your backpack or vehicle trunk. WB9DLC addresses the portable antenna issue with a homebrew vertical antenna that provides coverage of the 40, 30, and 20 meter Amateur/Ham Radio bands without taking up much space. WB9DLC provides some excellent photos of the project to get you from design to finished product in a short time.  You can either search for these antenna parts or opt to buy MFJ's "Ultimate HF Vertical" kit (MFJ-1954K), which comes with the necessary coil, antenna element, radial system, and tr

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwoH5aX72yQ. A well-crafted, efficient, and safe mobile installation from K1GMM.  Mobile HF antenna installations can be challenging, considering the lack of metal in most vehicles and the proliferation of computer chips and devices in modern cars and trucks.  K1GMM managed to control these issues without harming the integrity of his car, while making some interesting mobile contacts.  K1GMM offers some valuable insights concerning mobile HF operations. 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. htt

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtJvTQ2oogQ. I use a similar system made from parts I bought at Walmart and Home Depot.  An old fishing reel and some PVC pipe helped me complete this project a few years ago.  I still use my crude device to get inverted Vs and vertical antennas into tall trees. N0KTZ does an excellent, step by step explanation of how to build this helpful device.  If you have a well-stocked "junk box", you may be able to build this antenna launcher at little or no cost. For the latest Amateur/Ham Radio news and information, please visit these websites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. http://www.arrl.org. http://www.arr.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.eh