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=XaPUn9wy_hw. Here's a great antenna tilt base idea from Tinker Tom (W5CYF).  This tower/mast accessory can help radio amateurs living in deed-restricted housing (HOAs/CC&Rs) by lowering the mast from public view during non-air time.  A tilt base will also help you lower your vertical or inverted V antenna before a storm approaches.  I use a cruder version of W5CYF's idea to lower my inverted V whenever I'm not using the antenna or are away from the shack.  Out of sight, out of mind.  If you're living in an area prone to thunderstorms, you may want to consider this antenna tilt base project. W5CYF does a good job of showing us how to plan and build this valuable mast accessory.  You should be able to buy most of the tilt base materials from the nearest home improvement center or hardware store. For the latest Amateur/Ham Radio news and i

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xxu6svP11s. Here's a fairly simple and inexpensive tower/mast that you can build to support a lightweight VHF/UHF/HF antenna.  According to the video's producer, this mast was built using recycled materials.  The mast is supported by both a stiff ground rod and by two braces attached to the building.  Please notice the use a "drip loop" in the coaxial feed line to keep rain from penetrating the operating position.  The only thing I would add to this excellent set up is some form of lightning protection. 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. ht

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5AHKAz3Zh4. While many of my fellow radio amateurs are content with the annual ARRL Field Day held on the last full weekend of June, there are those who challenge both their equipment and survival skills by setting up field stations in the dead of winter. Such is the case with Michael Martens (KB9VBR) and Joe Schoebel (KD9CJX), who put their new Chameleon Emcomm III Portable Antenna to the test this past January (2019). The video takes you from antenna launch through actual on-air reports in a cold midwestern field day operation.  According to Michael and Joe, the Chameleon Portable HF Antenna works very well and is "ideal for hiking, camping, and both for tent and recreational vehicle camping."  You may want to try one of these simple, easy-to-use antennas for this upcoming ARRL Field Day or for your next portable operation. For the latest Amateur/H

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNbPQfVLqtM. In this video, N7JFP takes us step-by-step through the design and construction process for a simple, inexpensive 6 meter portable dipole antenna suitable for both field and home use.  The antenna uses commonly available parts, including some PVC boxes/pipes, rubber grommets, adhesives, and 2 collapsible antennas measuring 51 to 52 inches (129.04 cm to 132.08 cm) fully extended.  You can see a full list of the materials at 13:08 in the video.  N7JFP used a MFJ-269 for SWR testing.  He was able to get a usable SWR over the entire 6 meter amateur radio band.  This would make an interesting weekend project which could be used in the annual ARRL Field Day emergency exercise (last full weekend of June). For the latest Amateur/Ham Radio news and information, please visit these websites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. http://www.arrl.org. http://www

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PbOfZYzCUE. One of my favorite "classic" hf antennas is the off-center-fed dipole known as the "Windom Antenna."  The original design was created by Loren Windom (W8GZ) in 1922.  This off-center multiband antenna was fed just by a single wire connected on 1/3 of the antenna's overall length.  The feed impedance was approximately 600 ohms.  Modern day descendants of Windom's original design use open-wire feeders to attain multiband hf capability, thus reducing some of the TVI and other interference issues commonly found in the single wire feed system. In this video, Stan Gibilisco (W1GV) explains the general theory behind the "Windom Antenna" and outlines some of general parameters and performance capabilities of this "classic" wire antenna.  Properly designed, this antenna gives multiband HF performance at mi