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=SYypZ0Ot55I. A nicely done and easy-to-understand tutorial on how to convert 2 "Ham Stick" antenna elements into a portable or emergency HF dipole antenna.  The key to this antenna is the MFJ-347 antenna mount which allows you to make a quick, effective dipole antenna for any portable operation, including the annual ARRL Field Day, a casual day at the park, or even on-air activities from deed-restricted properties (HOA/CC&Rs). According to KJ4YZI of the "HamRadioConcepts" Amateur Radio Channel, this antenna is simple, easy to set up and take down, and only requires a minimum of support pieces.  If you already have a fiberglass mast and a tripod, most of your work is done.  Although you won't get superior performance from this antenna, you will be able to get on the air and make contacts, especially away from crowded urban areas. 

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEDneotW3ko With the ARRL Field Day rapidly approaching (last full weekend of June), it may be time to consider what antennas will be used in this annual emergency field communications exercise and contest.  Now that propagation is favoring the lower HF bands (40, 80, 160 meters), you may want to consider a specific antenna for each band.  In this Field Day video from 2016, "Ham Prepper" shows us how his club solved the height issue on 160 meters with a balloon-supported 1/4 wavelength antenna. After some preplanning and the collection of a skilled crew, the balloon-assisted antenna was launched successfully.  This somewhat unusual antenna produced good contacts for the club and helped boost its overall score. Make a few experimental HF antennas, test them in a nearby park or field, and prepare for some fun at the end of June. For the latest

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWWhNABrx4I I'm always looking for unusual antennas that can expand the basic capabilities of simple dipoles and verticals.  The Three-Wire Dipole is such an antenna. In this video, Stan Gibilisco (W1GV) shows us how to build this unusual antenna and describes its advantages and drawbacks.  The antenna is fed with open wire (300 ohm twin lead, 450 ohm ladder line, or homebrewed 600 ohm feed line) and uses an antenna transmatch (i.e. "tuner") with optional balun to reduce RFI and SWR. The space between the top horizontal antenna element and the bottom antenna element is approximately 12 inches /30.48 cm.  The antenna is capable of multiband operation.  If you're looking for a different kind of dipole, then the three-wire dipole may be what you're looking for. For the latest Amateur/Ham Radio news and information, please visit these w

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. In this video, Dave Casler (KE0OG) does an excellent job of making often complex antenna theory easy to understand.  Dave takes us from simple dipole and vertical antennas to a basic overview of gain antennas, pros and cons of "traps", and how to choose the right feed line for your new antenna.  This video would make an excellent introduction to antennas for both new operators and the experienced ham who may have gotten a bit "rusty" on antenna theory and application.  Dave's presentation is clear, informative, and often entertaining. 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.

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpUSe0yrxjs. In this video, Michael Martens (KB9VBR) discusses baluns and chokes and how these components can prevent RF energy from traveling down the outside of your coaxial cable and creating needless interference to your electronic equipment. Michael does an excellent job of explaining common mode currents, baluns, and RF chokes.  If you use coaxial cable to feed your HF/VHF/UHF antennas, then this video is for you. Keep a copy of this video in your reference library and refer to it whenever you need a balun or choke for your antenna system. 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://