Simple Ham Radio Antennas

If you can't view the video podcast, please insert this title URL into your web browser: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHdaLq6ZqMc One of my favorite Amateur/Ham Radio online programs is the popular ICQ podcast which explores the expanding universe of Amateur Radio.  In Episode 276 we get both an informative news cast and an excellent, easy-to-understand tutorial on portable and emergency antennas for radio amateurs.  On the news portion of the podcast, Martin (M1MRB) is joined by Leslie (G0CIB), Edmund (M0MNG), Matthew (M0NJX), and Bill (N3JIX) in an informal review of the top Amateur/Ham Radio news stories of the past week. The special feature of the program is an exhaustive examination of antennas suitable for emergency and portable operations from Ed Durrant (DD5LP).  Don't miss this truly outstanding program. For the latest Amateur/Ham Radio news and information, please visit these websites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. http://www.arrl.org. http://www.arrl.or

If you can't view this video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkmD3Sgz7Q0. If you're having trouble connecting to your local or regional 2 meter repeater site, then this simple, low cost, and easy-to-build 2 meter quarter wave vertical antenna is what you need.  Randy Hall (K7AGE) does an excellent job of explaining the theory and operation of this simple vertical antenna. He takes you step-by-step through the design, construction, and use phases of this simple antenna. The antenna is small enough to fit into your emergency "go kit" or for use as a standby 2 meter antenna at your home station. 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://am

NVIS-A Way to Build One. Post #1617. https://hamradiohawaii.wordpress.com/2018/09/14/nvi-a-way-to-build-one/ Author:  Stacy Holbrook (KH6JRM). Accessed on 15 September 2018, 1557 UTC, Post #1617. Please click link to read the full article and to view the supporting videos. Comment: Do you need a reliable, sturdy, and inexpensive antenna for local or regional communications?  If you do, a simple NVIS (near vertical incident skywave) HF antenna may be what you're looking for.  These high-angle radiators provide consistent coverage out to approximately 500 miles/810 kilometers, depending on propagation and weather conditions.  I've used a simple 40 meter NVIS antenna mounted 16 feet/4.87 meters above ground level to check in to the Hawaii Interisland Net. My signal reports vary from 57 to 59. In this post, Stacy (KH6OWL) provides a simple tutorial on getting started in NVIS communications. He provides drawings, photos, and three outstanding videos to explain the t

If you can't view this video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51wEe-Wg1IQ. Besides the large size of most 160 meter antennas, getting the antenna high enough for a good take off angle presents special challenges. Most antenna references recommend getting dipoles at least 1/2 wavelength above ground to work decent dx--something that is often difficult to achieve if you don't have tall supports such as trees on your property.  Even if you have trees to support your antenna, getting the antenna launched into the upper branches can be quite a headache.  In this video, Dave and his friends solve that issue with a specially designed "pneumatic weight launcher" that puts antenna elements in a tree's upper branches without much stress.  I rather like Dave's design, having tried slingshots, casting rods, and bows/arrows with varying success. A nicely done video with valuable suggestions for those radio am

If you can't view the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snXHduQVe8Q. Here's a simple, inexpensive, and sturdy discone antenna that you can build at home and use in a variety of portable and emergency situations.  According to "SurvivalComms" this compact, field deployable VHF/UHF is broadbanded and will cover up to 1 GHz without significant SWR problems. The folded discone antenna kit weights only 28 ounces and uses about 30 feet of RG-58 coaxial cable as the feed line. The entire assembly can be carried in a small nylon bag.  Make one of these antennas for your "go-kit" or use as a standby antenna at your home. 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: