Simple Ham Radio Antennas

ARRL drops efforts to pass the Amateur Radio Parity Act. Accessed on 25 January 2019, 0304 UTC, Post 1753. Source:  http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter?issue=2019-01-21. Editor:  Rick Lindquist (WW1ME). As the old saying goes:  "Close, but no cigar."  The ARRL Board of Directors has decided to abandon legislative efforts to save the "Amateur Radio Parity Act".  The legislative package was aimed at relieving some of the antenna restrictions found in deed-restricted properties (HOAs and CC&Rs).  Over the past few years, the "Amateur Radio Parity Act" has come close to passage, but was stopped cold when the U.S. Congress rejected the measure. Rather than try another congressional battle, the ARRL has decided to appeal directly to the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) for antenna relief. Here's the official position of the ARRL from the 24 January 2019 issue of "The ARRL Letter": "ARRL Board of Directors Issues Statement

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXIUqr3tMpU One of the great experiences facing radio amateurs is the annual ARRL Field Day, usually held on the last full weekend of June.  Field Day is part contest, part emergency preparedness, and mostly fun.  Approximately 40,000 hams throughout North America will "head to the field" to set up operating sites, erect portable antennas, power emergency rigs, and divide time between swatting pesky insects and making contacts. In this video by Michael Martens (KB9VBR), we learn that communicating "in the wild can bring out a myriad of challenges, the largest, notwithstanding, is operator and station safety."  Michael takes us step-by-step through the basic safety and operating procedures that will protect your life while you make contacts with your fellow radio amateurs.  Pay particular attention to his comments on generators, grounds, a

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9Jq8iucEDA A visit to the annual Quartzfest in Arizona should be on the "must see and do" list for those radio amateurs who travel throughout the United States in their recreational vehicles (RVs).  In this video, Randy Hall (K7AGE) drops by the gathering of RV hams and takes a tour with Bob (N2OML) to sample the atmosphere of this mobile ham community.  In the video, we'll see some fascinating mobile installations, antennas, and equipment. 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 jo

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0WB-3UToLg Here's another outstanding video tutorial from Dave Casler (KE0OG).  This time, Dave discusses the theory and terminology of antennas used for amateur radio communications.  The video does and excellent job of  explaining the workings of several antenna types, including dipoles, inverted Vees, verticals, loops, and quads.  His illustrations and photos are clear and easily understood.  This video would make an excellent program for your next club meeting or for an upcoming amateur radio license class. 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:

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ar9F2sck0iI Here's a quick and easy Folded Dipole Antenna made from locally available materials.  According to Stan Gibilisco (W1GV), all you need is a half wavelength of TV Ribbon (300 ohms) or Ladder Line (450 ohms), a 4:1 current balun, a length of 75 ohm TV Cable (such as RG-6), some F to SO-239 adapters, and an antenna transmatch (i.e. "tuner") to keep SWR below 1.5 to 1 across the band of choice.  Stan says the slight mismatch between 50 ohm and 75 ohm cables can be handled by most modern transceivers without much loss of power. That mismatch is in the neighborhood of 1.5 to 1 without a "tuner".  With Folded Dipole Antennas, I've always used a "tuner" to be on the safe side. So, if you have some TV Ribbon and a length of RG-6 TV cable in your junk box, why not build a folded dipole antenna?  With a little luck, you

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqnpmj8hxtQ. Rich Rodgers has come up with another way of using a stealth antenna in his deed-restricted property.  In this video, Rich shows how he positioned a vertical full wave loop antenna between some elevated bird houses to disguise his HF antenna.  According to Rich the antenna SWR is acceptable with an inline antenna transmatch (i.e. "tuner").  You could also use a 4:1 current balun between your antenna "tuner" and antenna feed to reduce SWR even further. I've used several full wave loop antennas on 40 meters using balanced feed line and a balun-"tuner" combination to give me multiband coverage.  Rich's project is simple and should get you on the with air minimum problems.  Just make sure HOA "enforcers" don't examine the bird houses too closely.  One could always use a telescoping fiberglass mast

Best amateur radio videos of 2018.  https://www.jpole-antenna.com/2018/12/30/10-best-amateur-radio-videos-of-2018/. Accessed on 19 January 2019, 0413 UTC, Post 1747. Author:  Michael Martens (KB9VBR). Please click the title URL to view your selections. Michael Martens (KB9VBR) has assembled 10 of his most popular antenna and equipment videos for an overall look at trends making headlines in 2018.  Here are his most requested Amateur/Ham Radio videos of the past year: 2014 Subaru Outback radio install. NVIS or Near Vertical Incident Skywave Propagation. 2 meter VHF Quarter Wave Antenna. Intoduction to AFRS. How to build a DMR codeplug. Building a DVmega and Pi-Star DMR Hotspot. ICOM IC-718 transceiver controls and functions. October 2018 Channel Update. MURS or Multi Use Radio Service. Are Baofeng handheld radios illegal? All of these videos are fascinating, easy to follow, and offer valuable suggestions to both novice and experienced radio amateurs. Thanks for