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=JWZZlpHJKT8 Now that propagation is favoring the lower HF bands (160 meters through 40 meters), it may be a good idea making an antenna for these bands.  Because of the size of 160 meter antennas, you may have to make some uncomfortable comprises to use the "Top Band".  Inverted Vs and L antennas can offer you decent performance at a reasonable cost. However, if you have a fairly large property with several tall trees,  you can follow Bob Holowenko's inverted L design and have a high performance antenna in a few hours. Bob's antenna consists of 127 ft/38.71 m of wire with 6 X 127 ft/38.71 m radial wires.  Despite some limitations, Bob calls his homemade inverted L "one of the best performing antennas I've played." Why not experiment with a variety of designs and configurations?  Antenna experimentation is one of the joys

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser searchbox: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfnvqQeDLoQ Here's a simple, inexpensive 9:1 balun for end-fed long wire antennas.  These antennas are suitable for both permanent home stations, as well as for field and emergency operations.  "Tinker John" (W5CYF) does an excellent job of describing how to build one of these UnUn baluns for end-fed random length wire antennas.  With a little planning, this useful antenna accessory can be made in only a few hours. 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 today. Aloha es 73

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uf31ecwFjjQ. If you're tired of underperforming multiband HF antennas, why not try a full-sized Windom Antenna?  In this video, New Zealand ham Peter Echer and his 6-year old daughter  use a redesigned Windom Antenna to reach around the world--with his daughter even conversing in Russian!  Peter takes you through the step-by-step process of designing, building, installing, and using this "classic antenna" from ham radio's distant past.  An excellent, well-produced video. For the latest Amateur/Ham Radio news and information, please visit these websites: http://www.Hawaii ARRL.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://ww

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4W5FFX3movg Here's a nicely done multiband vertical antenna suitable for radio amateurs living in deed-restricted properties (HOAs/CC&Rs) or  lacking space to erect a full 1/2 wavelength horizontal dipole.  All you need is some creativity, a few spare parts, and a good radial system. In this video, the antenna consists of a MFJ-1979 (1/4 wave 20-meter telescoping mast) a RadioWavz "Patriot 80: adjustable loading coil, a Hustler mast, and a MFJ-909 capacitive meter.  The key to making this homebrew vertical antenna is using a decent radial system and loss loss coaxial cable feed line.  An antenna transmatch (i.e. "tuner") could also be added to keep SWR losses low.  Such a system could also be employed for portable use during the ARRL Field Day, SOTA expeditions, or just casual operations in a public park. For the latest Amateur/Ham Ra

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your blog search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqzalqkmsBo Here's another HF magnetic loop antenna suitable for deed-restricted properties or for portable operations.  This video from Kuba (SP5TOF) should give you some ideas for a small, field portable 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://oahuarrlnews.wordpress.com. https://hamradiohawaii.wordpress.com. https://bigislandarrlnews.com. https://www.eham.net. http://www.southgatearc.org. Thanks for joining us today. Aloha es 73 de Russ (KH6JRM).