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=4uPk0lAEwhc. Here's another great project from Dave Turlock (KG0ZZ).  In this video, Dave takes us step-by-step through the design, construction, and testing of homebrew "Feed-point Connector for an Inverted V Dipole Antenna." The video is very detailed, yet easy to understand.  If you follow Dave's instructions, you should get a very strong support for your inverted v elements. You may want to weatherproof the assembly to insure protection from the elements. Most of the materials for this project should be available from a plumbing supply outlet, your neighborhood hardware store, or a building supply warehouse. 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

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KUJPcRIUDE. In our previous post, Stan Gibilisco (W1GV) explained the pros and cons of a coax-fed multiband HF dipole antenna.  Even with an antenna transmatch (i.e. "tuner") in line, high antenna SWR for all bands, except the one cut specifically for the design frequency, will lead to poor efficiency and power loss. According to Stan, one way to keep feed line losses to a minimum would be to use a balanced feeder (ladder line, TV window line, or homebrew 600 ohm balanced line) with your HF dipole antenna.  Design your dipole for the lowest frequency of use, use balanced line to feed the antenna, and use a balanced antenna "tuner" to keep line losses and SWR low. In this video, Stan explains the theory, operation, and use of ladder line, as well as where and when to use it.  If you can have only one HF antenna, feed it with balanced t

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4Hr4vSnkuo. In this video from Stan Gibilisco (W1GV), we see an "elegant but fragile solution to a common conumdrum"--making a monoband dipole antenna capable of operating on several amateur/ham radio bands with only one coaxial cable feed line. With the aid of an antenna transmatch (i.e. "tuner") and a carefully chosen length of 50 ohm coaxial cable as a feed line, it's possible to cover a few HF bands without too much loss.  Many of us, myself included, used this arrangement when we needed a simple, inexpensive antenna to get on the air.  This arrangement worked fairly well, if one chose 40 meters as the basic antenna.  Even without a "tuner", a 40 meter dipole could give passable performance on 15 meters using the third harmonic of of 7 MHz. As Stan points out, the antenna works fairly well, considering the mismatch f

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5OqrvyjTgs. One of the ways you can achieve multiband HF coverage using only one coaxial cable feed line is to build a "Fan Dipole", with separate dipoles for as many HF bands you want to use.  The key to this "classic" antenna is the construction of a sturdy, weather resistant center Insulator to support your various dipole antennas. In this video from Jim (W6LG), we see how some PVC plumbing parts, a coax connector, and a few screw eyes can make a tough, inexpensive center connector for your Fan Dipole. Jim takes us step-by-step through the design, construction, and testing phases of this helpful antenna accessory.  A well-done, easily understandable tutorial from a well-know antenna pro.  Please note the classic Drake Amateur Radio gear in the background. 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=azmDNE1uboo . A very short video from Neven (9A5YY) showing us his simple, portable inverted V antenna.  He seems to get a variety of good contacts using only 5 watts into his Yaesu-FT-817ND transceiver. The antenna has only a few parts: Spiderbeam HD 12 m/39.36 ft telescoping fiberglass mast. MFJ-1779C Center insulator. Antenna wire. Plastic insulators. Various clips and clamps. Ancell 5(50 ohm) coaxial cable for the feed line. MFJ-269 Antenna Analyzer. Neven says the antenna is resonant at 14.180 MHz with an SWR of 1.2. 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://bigislandarrl