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=4kXRz6fPFKY. If you live on a small urban lot, erecting a full-sized 80 meter dipole antenna will present a difficult challenge.  According to Australian ham Peter Parker (VK3YE), a simple 40 meter dipole antenna can be modified to work at 3.5 MHz (80 meters) by adding end-loading coils.  Although the "transformed" antenna won't be as efficient as a full-length 80 meter dipole, it will get you on the air with a somewhat narrower bandwidth.  Peter's adaptation comes from an original design by VK5AH. 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=DWR5d7t0WAw Here's an interesting antenna experiment from Paul (OM0ET).  In this video, Paul builds an EH antenna for the 40 meter band--the antenna is based on a design by WB5CXC (SK). Although the build was successful, Paul admits that the antenna may be of questionable value, since "this antenna has the problem of a strong returning RF in to coax...this is a big problem with resonant frequency stability due to this problem...This is the reason why I never tryed (sic) this antenna in a real outdoor conditions (sic)." Of course, your results will vary, depending on the materials used and the general environment in which the antenna is placed.  If you need a better and perhaps  safer antenna, please try a magnetic loop or indoor loop antenna. For the latest Amateur/Ham Radio news and information, please visit these websites: http://www.Ha

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RXjTKMGfHU Australian radio amateur Peter Parker (VK3YE) has designed a small, inexpensive, and lightweight antenna transmatch (i.e. "tuner" or "coupler") for end-fed random length "long wire antennas."  This "palm-sized" L "tuner" covers 7 to 30 MHz and is suitable for QRP home or field operations.  Peter supplies a helpful schematic diagram to help with design and construction of this useful antenna accessory. 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 f

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-mj1Iyox9Y If you need a simple, effective antenna for portable, emergency, or even home use, then this homebrew end-fed long wire antenna from Steve Roberts (W1SFR) may be your answer.  This handy, well-made antenna is perfect for an emergency "go-kit", camping, or for use in deed-restricted housing (HOAs/CC&Rs).  All you need is some 14-18 AWG wire, a launching method, a small antenna "tuner", a basic ground radial or counterpoise system, and a QRP rig.  All of this material can be packed in a small box and saved for your next "field" operation. 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://hamr

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbUQQm0UDQ0 VK5STU and his daughters Emma and Charlotte show us several ways to mount, secure, and protect the telescoping fiberglass poles many of us use to support our portable and home station antennas.  All of these helpful suggestions make our operating life a bit easier when we use fiberglass masts for field or emergency operations.  VK5STU urges us to protect the telescoping sections and their joints from weather and wind.  Those of us living in the tropics (including myself who calls Hawaii Island home) are familiar with just how much damage the sun, salt air, and volcanic fumes can do to support structures such as these fiberglass poles. I found the steps taken to prevent the thinnest part of the pole from collapsing into the interior section of the mast most helpful.  A simple cored loop will keep the tip of the mast from "getting lost.'

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYrvqI3-Nxs Now that we have joined Kevin Loughin (KB9RLW) in the process of preparing our home made backyard HF vertical antenna, it's time to install and test our product.  In the 3 previous segments, we learned how to design, plan, and assemble the various parts of this experimental antenna, and, now, we are ready to put the antenna on the air. In this video, Kevin reminds us that this installation is only experimental, subject to final testing and a thorough review of safety precautions before we turn on our HF transceivers. So, how does this antenna work?  According to Kevin, "It's finally up and working...And working very well!  I've made many contacts on it an had the best signal reports I've ever received, especially on 75-90 meters." If you have limited space and little cash, you may want to try this simple, efficient,

If you can't view the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kY2rz2jizs This video is part three of four segments showing how to build a backyard HF vertical antenna.  Kevin Loughin (KB9RLW) does an excellent job of taking us from antenna concept and design to actual construction and testing of this simple, efficient HF antenna.  In part 1, we get an overall plan for the antenna; in part 2, we begin building the 9:1 UnUn; and in part 3, we learn how to make a 1:1 common mode choke to keep stray RF off the feed line.  Part 4 will integrate all parts of the antenna into a final building project for the 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://oahuarrlnews.wordpress.com. https://hamradiohawaii.wordpress.