Simple Ham Radio Antennas

Design your own 5/8 wave vertical antenna. https://www.qsl.net/w4sat/five8th.htm. Author:  W4SAT. Please click link to read the full article. Comment:  Here's a handy calculator for those who wish to experiment with 5/8 wavelength antennas, both for HF and VHF/UHF. Despite some matching and loading issues, the 5/8 wave antenna can deliver approximately 3 dB gain over a 1/4 wave vertical and exhibits a low angel of radiation (approximately 16 degrees)--something that will help you snag more DX contacts. The article outlines some of the design considerations necessary to make this type of vertical antenna work properly.  The discussion ends with an easy plug in program that figures element lengths in both feet and meters.  The program uses the standard formula of 585/f for feet and 178.308/f for meters. With a properly designed coil, a decent ground plane element, and some stiff wire, you can have an efficient 5/8 wave vertical antenna in just a few hours. For the la

If you can't view the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8RVqsdnKow. Here's a very simple and effective 3-element yagi for the 2 meter amateur radio band.  According to the video's author, "Prepping Ohio", most of the parts were found in or around his home.  Using scrap lumber, some stiff wire, and a spare tube to support the antenna, he was able to make several contacts using about 1 watt of power.  The antenna is vertically polarized and works well for contacting mobile stations. 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://oahuarrlnews.wordpress.com. https://hamradiohawaii.wordpress.com. https://bigislandarrlnews.com. https://www.eham.net. http://www.southgatearc.org. Thanks for joining us

If you can't view the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXTYTytR56A If you need a rapidly deployable, yet stealthy HF antenna in a deed-restricted area, please check out this simple end-fed inverted vee configuration from AC2RJ.  All you need is a tripod support, some wire, a rudimentary ground radial system, a small antenna "tuner", and a telescoping fiberglass pole to elevate your antenna element to begin your backyard adventure. Coupled with a dependable QRP rig such as the Yaesu 817, you'll enjoy some interesting contacts.  When you're done for the day, just collapse the fiberglass mast, fold up the tripod, and store the antenna parts in your garage or shack.  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 view the video, please insert this title URL into your browser's search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wq4A9skU3Zs An inverted L antenna is an alternative HF antenna choice if you can't support a full halfwave dipole on your property. In this video, Craig Sheppard shows us his simple inverted L antenna, which has made some excellent DX contacts as well as good ragchews from around his home.  Craig's antenna consists of an 58-ft/17.68 meters horizontal element and a 24-ft /7.31 meters vertical section.  Please note the use of a counterpoise wire to complete the antenna circuit.  A good, basic antenna that will bring you many hours of enjoyment. 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://oahuarrlnews.wordpress.

If you can't view the video, please insert this title URL into your browser searchbox: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctynv2klT6Q. Thanks to Alan (W2AEW) for this excellent video tutorial on the basics of near field probes.  According to Alan, "Near Field probes can be very helpful tracking down sources of RF emissions and radiation."  Alan explains how near field probes work and how to use them to resolve RF leakages and stray RF problems in your gear.  He also lists helpful links on near field probing, including plans and discussions on how to make your own near field probes.  An outstanding tutorial that should be part of your reference library. 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://oahuarrlnews.wordpress.com. https://hamradiohawaii.wordpress.com. https://bi

If you can't view the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IR-8T0QjUjM. Excellent video from N7JFP on how to make a simple 1:4 balun.  N7JFP takes you step by step through the assembly process, using 18 gauge copper wire and a T-130 toroid.  This balun will prove  useful for a variety of antennas, ranging from multi-band dipoles to the simplest HR vertical antenna. 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://oahuarrlnews.wordpress.com. https://bigislandnews.com. https://www.eham.net. http://www.southgatearc.org. Thanks for joining us today. Aloha es 73 de Russ (KH6JRM).

A simple broadband HF vertical antenna. Post #1644. https://g8jnj.net/broadbandhfvertical.htm. Author:  Martin Ehrenfried (G8JNJ). Accessed on 13 October 2018, 0045 UTC. Post #1644. Comment:  In this well-written and fully documented post from Martin Ehrenfried (G8JNJ), we learn how to make a simple broadband antenna which doesn't need an antenna "tuner", and is capable of providing "moderate performance" on all amateur radio bands from 7 MHz to 28 MHz.  Martin says he built this antenna for around L20 (less than $50 US).  Martin uses this antenna for beacon monitoring using Faros software, as a WSPR personal beacon, or for HF ALE operations using PC ALE.  The report is richly illustrated with graphs, photos, and various performance data.  Here are the key elements of his broadband HF vertical antenna: The basic components of the antenna are a 9m fishing pole, 6m support pole, home built 5:1 transformer and some wire. These are configured as shown