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=fSoXIqBlg9M&list=PLxm5IrcbyCDWB9BtI8QAhotPnAIe5b8so. This is one of the best antenna theory videos I've seen in a long time.  Although this tutorial applies to a wide range of antenna interests (model aircraft, drones, remotely controlled vehicles of various types), there's a lot of valuable material for the radio amateur. The presenter for this "RCModelReviews" video does an excellent job of explaining complex antenna theory for both the novice and "seasoned" ham radio operator.  This video would make an excellent lesson for an amateur radio license class or for a radio club program. For the latest Amateur/Ham Radio news and information, please visit these websites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. http://www.arrl.org. http://www.blubrry.com/arrlaudionews/ https://oahuarrlnews.wordpress.com. https://hamradiohawaii.wordpres

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4K5Vj6wtpE0. Randy Hall (K7AGE) provides a simple, step-by-step lesson on how to design, build, test, and use a 6 meter amateur/ham radio antenna.  This easily-built antenna provides excellent local and regional coverage at minimum cost. Here are some of Randy's thoughts on this antenna: This video I show you how to build a 6 meter ham radio dipole antenna. This is another video to help you get on six meter. In this video I explain the half wave dipole antenna and show as an example the dipole that I built. A half wave dipole is one of the simplest antennas that you can build. The dipole is usually two pieces of wire, attached to a center insulator. The dipole is fed with coax, with the center conductor going to one wire and the shield going to the other wire. The formula to calculate the length of the antenna is Length in feet = 468/ Freq in MHz. S

If you can't view the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xgm0lgpKfHg. Thanks to KG7TUO for this intriguing vertical dipole antenna for the 2 m and 70 cm amateur radio bands.  This antenna is perfect for deed-restricted housing or for portable operations.  Most of the materials can be found at the nearest home improvement outlet, electrical supply warehouse, or neighborhood hardware store. Here are some of KG7TUO's comments about the antenna: NOTE: Comparative testing of this antenna against one without the "choke" showed that the choke is NOT needed. Homemade vertical dipole for HAM 2 meter and 70 cm bands. With 1 watt, it will reliably hit a repeater 29 miles away (furthest repeater not blocked by terrain). The Elmer that checked this antenna for me said "don't touch it, put it up". SWR across the 2 meter band is 1.1 to 1.4 with most of the band covered at 1.2 or below and 1.1

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YswnVmAKSP0. Australian radio amateur Peter Parker (VK3YE) has experimented extensively with what he calls "pedestrian mobile antennas."  These antennas can be used either in motion or in a fixed location at a beach or public park. In this video, Peter explores a simple, practical pedestrian magnetic loop for the 40 meter amateur radio band (7 MHz). Peter compares copper and aluminum magnetic loops of different construction for their ease of operation and efficiency. Several of his magnetic loop designs have reached out between 300 km/185 miles and 1500 km/930 miles.  In Peter's view, "Tests demonstrate that HF pedestrian mobile with easily carried antennas is both effective and practical." Before you build and use these innovative antennas, please be aware that you may be exposed to excessive radiation near the transmitting eleme

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJrA62t141s . You don't need expensive equipment to work some of the amateur radio satellites, including the AO91. Australian radio amateur Peter Parker (VK3YE) shows us how two inexpensive Chinese handheld transceivers (Baofeng UV-82) can be used to access this relatively new ham radio satellite. Peter readily admits that this kind of contact will be at times difficult, owing to the compromise antenna being used in this test.  But, you will be able to make some interesting contacts despite the antenna limitations. If you use one of the backpack VHF antennas described in the two previous posts, your results should be much improved. For the latest Amateur/Ham Radio news and information, please visit these websites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. http://www.arrl.org. http://www.blubrry.com/arrlaudionews/ https://oahuarrlnews.wordpress.com. https:/