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=1e7Y6YFpikE. Would you like to keep the "Christmas Spirit" alive in your shack all year and have an antenna and a RF Dummy Load at the same time?  You can if you follow this idea from Jim (W6LG).  In this well-produced, easy to understand video, Jim shows us two ways that Christmas Tree lights can act as part of an antenna and also function as a RF Dummy Load for in shack testing and experiments. A thoroughly "enlightening" (forgive the pun) experience. 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.

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmqgrPQBu_o Here's a helpful tip from "therixsterinnj" on how to install a safe, "environmentally friendly" ground radial system for your HF vertical antenna. These suggestions are worth noting: "Please do not use metallic "garden staples" to secure radial wires to the top of the ground in a lawn. They may rust and become dangerous daggers that can seriously injure children or even adults. They can turn into projectiles if hit by a lawn mower. In this short video I show how easy it is to use wooden dowel material to do an even better job, which is much much safer. About $10 worth of wood dowel should do for 16 radials. You can attach several along the length of the radial if needed. 73" --------------------------------------------- Also, you may want to try a system of elevated radials to make sure your

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.watch?v=vAYbkVhsSBY. The classic multiband HF doublet antenna is a surprisingly effective antenna which is easy and fairly inexpensive to make.  Fed with balanced feedline and connected to a balun/"tuner" combination, the doublet will let you cover any amateur radio band between 160 and 6 meters.  Just cut the antenna for the lowest frequency of use and you're on the way to a decent, high performance antenna which won't close out your credit card. In this video, "One Time Pad" takes us through the entire design, construction, tuning, and use process.  Here us the list of materials needed to make this antenna reality: "Antenna Components: Copper wire for radiating element (I used multi –strand Flexweave) Ladder line/Open wire/Ribbon (I used 300Ω ribbon because its neater) x3 eye bolts with associated nuts as washers x1 straight wastew

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbje13U6hC4. An excellent video tutorial from Claude Jollet (VE2DPE), despite the lack of a voice track.  The video and slides provide enough guidance for  you to build your own 6-meter folded dipole antenna. Claude made this antenna from ladder line, fed with ladder line, and matched with a step down 4:1 coaxial balun at the bottom of the transmission line.  Claude says the antenna is resonant at 50.4 MHz, with a SWR below 1.3 to 1 between 50.0 MHz and 51.0 MHz. 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. Tha

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uq4mbrRihrw If you want to get on 160 meters, but don't have the space needed for a full length vertical or horizontal dipole, then this Inverted L antenna from VE3IKU may be what you're looking for.  This antenna has a vertical length of 35 feet/10.67 meters and a horizontal spread of 94 feet/28.65 meters. According to VE3IKU, this 160 meter antenna "needs no tuner, fits on a city lot, and is very efficient."  The introduction to the video features two "classic" HF antennas--Hiram Percy Maxim's 1AW antenna and the top-loaded vertical on the ill-fated "RMS Titanic." 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://oahuarrlne

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtJvTQ2oogQ. One of the easiest ways to launch your HF antenna into tall trees is to use a modified slingshot/casting fishing reel combination as shown by N0KTZ in this well-done and easily understood video tutorial.  Although any brand of slingshot will work, N0KTZ recommends the "Shelton 3.0 Magnum Custom Wrist Rocket Slingshot".  You should be able to find most of the launcher parts at your neighborhood building supply or hardware store.  I use a cheap slingshot from WalMart to launch most of my tree-supported antennas.  The modification shown by N0KTZ offers arm support and better aiming capability.  You could also use a bow and arrow to shoot your antenna wire through the tree canopy. 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/ar

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aqlr9qxUXxc. Building an amateur/ham radio tower to support your dream antenna farm is serious business, especially if you're a member of the Paul Bunyan Amateur Radio Club in Bemidgi, Minnesota and want to erect a tower in the dead of winter. Thanks to David Quam for showing us the planning, equipment, and safety issues involved in this project.  Even if your weather is warmer than Bemidgi in the winter, please don't erect your tower alone.  If you can't tap the resources of your radio club, then hire a professional engineer and rigging crew to assemble, erect, and test your tower.  "Better safe than sorry." 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 afterno