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=wrYhaaSw-pg. If you need a simple, easily-made, 6 meter antenna for the ARRL Field Day, an upcoming ham adventure to a nearby park, or for home use, then this 6 meter 1/4 wave ground plane antenna from Paul Colton may your antenna of choice. Paul does a nice overview of his homebrew 6 meter antenna, including a list of materials, construction tips, and helpful suggestion on tuning and using this basic antenna. With the exception of the coaxial cable feed line, most of the antenna materials can be found at the nearest hardware store or home improvement outlet.  Good luck on this project. 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. htt

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvVq7r_7ILE. Thanks to John Ryan for this simple, easily-made Moxon Antenna for the 6 meter amateur radio band.  Most of the materials can be found at the nearest hardware store or building supply outlet. The antenna is made from PVC pipe, stiff wire, and 50 ohm coaxial cable. The choke balun is also made from coaxial cable. The antenna is portable, making it perfect for the ARRL Field Day or an impromptu outing at the nearest park or beach.  Why not make one of these antennas for home or emergency use? For the latest Amateur/Ham Radio news and information, please visit these websites: http://www.Hawaii ARRL.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

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXIUqr3tMpU. With the ARRL Field Day set for the fourth weekend in June, it may be prudent to not only consider the personnel, supplies, antennas, and equipment needed to run this 24 hour emergency communications exercise, but also the measures taken to insure the safety of all participants, observers, and invited guests. In this well-produced video, Michael Martens (KB9VBR) discusses the steps needed to have a successful Field Day operation without worrying about accidents. Michael covers a variety of issues, including generators, antenna placement, site security, and the handling of equipment.  Also, you may want to consider factors of weather, sanitation, site placement, and medical treatment.  Michael does an excellent job of covering what you need to know about Field Day, from both the equipment and personnel side to questions about security and stati

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_o0jneBEh0. In this video from Steve Ellington, we get a thorough, in-depth introduction to the "classic" end fed half wave antenna.  Steve's video is based on a presentation he gave to the Lawrenceville, Georgia Techfest. Steve covers the history, theory, construction, and use of this multiband HF antenna based on a 1909 design from Hans Biggerow. I learned a lot from this video, especially the importance of grounding the transformers and transmitter to maximize current on the wire.  Perhaps you can make one of these antennas for the ARRL Field Day. 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://bigislandarrlnews.com. https://oahuarrlnews.wordpress

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TyoTmpaHG4. Here's a remarkably simple, inexpensive, and totally portable 20 meter antenna you can build for under $20. Jerry Davis shows us how to design, build, trim, and use a basic dipole antenna for the 20 meter amateur radio band.  The steps outlined in this video can be used for any amateur radio band from 160 through 10 meters.  This antenna doesn't require an antenna "tuner." According to Jerry, he spent around $17.00 (USD) in making this dipole.  Perhaps, you can duplicate this antenna for less, depending on what you have in your "junk box."  Pack one of these antennas in your "go-kit" for emergencies or coil one up for your next mini-DXpedition to a nearby park or beach.  Add a telescoping fiberglass mast, a few insulators, a portable transceiver, and some solar charged batteries, and you're ready to

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3qS6QYQWjQ. Every radio amateur should have an emergency "go-kit" or "go-box" in case you have to operate in the field. In this well-made, easily understandable video from "Bluegrassmedia", we see how a surplus army ammunition box, a spare VHF/UHF transceiver, a few batteries, and a little imagination can get you on the air in a matter of minutes.  Of course, don't forget spare batteries, an antenna, and an antenna "tuner" to round out your project. The video does a good job of showing how to prepare and assemble the basic elements of the "go-kit." Keep one of these kits in your vehicle or ham shack for the next emergency or portable operation.  Take one of these kits with you on your next ARRL Field Day exercise. For the latest Amateur/Ham Radio news and information, please visit these websites:

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkk65a3GMf8. K2EFG presents us with an intriguing idea:  Could you operate on the 20 meter band using a magnetic antenna mount on a bicycle?  The short answer is maybe, given there is little or no ground plane on a bike.  VHF/UHF operation is doable, as several older youtube videos have demonstrated. But all is not lost.  You could operate from a stationary position by attaching a ground radial wire to the antenna mount. Or, one could devise a small trailer or hitch with the antenna mounted about a foot/0.304 meters above ground to provide some capacitive loading as you pedaled along. With a little refinement, this bicycle HF mobile antenna has possibilities.  Antenna experimentation is one of the joys of amateur/ham radio. K2EFG has a great idea that could create some new mobile antenna alternatives at minimal expense. For the latest Amateur/Ham Radio n