Posts

Homebrew 20M Vertical Antenna for POTA and Field Day

Image
If you can't see the video, please insert this  title URL into your browser search box:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAUbdz7AHEM .  This is post 2203 in a continuing series of simple ham radio antennas. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, many radio amateurs will spend the 27-28 June 2020 ARRL Field Day at home with their home-based HF/VHF/UHF antennas. If you need a simple, inexpensive 20 meter vertical antenna that works, try Rob's ("SevenFortyOne") idea outlined in this excellent video.  Most of the parts can be found in your junk box or at the nearest hardware story or military surplus outlet. According to Rob, the project is simple and fun to do: "You are watching me put together a 20 meter ham radio vertical antenna constructed from surplus military tent poles and tape measures...Enjoy! Amazon Store: https://www.amazon.com/shop/sevenfort... My Wife's Art Website: https://laurelwoodstudio.com/ " ----- For the latest Amateur/

Survival Radio vs Ham Radio

Image
If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1oyzD227AVc .  This is post 2202 in a continuing series of simple ham radio antennas. COVID-19 has forever changed the way we interact as a society and how we conduct our personal lives.  Bob (K6UDA) has done an excellent job of showing how Amateur/Ham Radio will be redefined as the coronavirus pandemic spreads globally.  If you don't have an emergency "go-kit", spare antennas, backup rigs, and basic food/water supplies, then this video will point you in the right direction. Here are some of Bob's remarks: "How to use ham radio and other radio types in SHTF scenarios vs normal conditions or emergencies. 18E stuff your mommy didn't tell you about. We'll have some fun chat and I'm giving away a million bucks. Welcome to Blursday the 97th of April." ------ Despite a bit of good-natured humor, Bob is deadly serio

Long Wire Antenna Build

Image
If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RU0DhCkglfw .  This is post 2201 in a continuing series of simple ham radio antennas. Thanks to 2J4EZ for this ultra-simple, "quick and dirty", cheap, and highly portable random length long wire antenna.  You can build this easy antenna with materials you already have in your "junk box" or from the nearest hardware-building supply outlet. Should you desire to use this antenna for transmitting, you would require much more attention to a ground radial system and the proper matching of the high impedance long wire to the low impedance of  your receiver/transmitter. However, as an emergency or expedient antenna, the project will do the job.  Experiment and see what happens. ----- 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

Stealth Indoor HF Ham Radio Antenna

Image
If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vq_4Kjb8Vo .  This is post 2200 in a continuing series of simple ham radio antennas. If you live in a deed-restricted home or apartment (HOA/CC&R), antenna placement can be quite a problem.  If you can't install anything outside, do what Josh Bloom did in this video and create an indoor antenna for your Amateur/Ham Radio activities. Here are some notes from Josh on how to get started: " This is a very short video on my 10-75 meter wire antenna mounted inside my house due to my landlord. Works pretty well and very easy to do. I happen to be using JT8Call, but any digital mode would be fine. Voice could work, but make sure to keep the power reasonable." ----- 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/ htt

A 160 meter end fed halfwave antenna on 630 meters?

Image
If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browsers search box:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFEs-lNDRz8 .  This is post 2199 in a continuing series of simple ham radio antennas. Thanks to Kevin Loughin (KB9RLW) for this interesting experiment in the 630 meter amateur radio band.  Kevin erected this very long end fed wire to see what he could do in this fairly new amateur/ham radio band.  His results were quite good, considering the low power and antenna requirements of this band just below the standard broadcast (MW) band. Here are some of Kevin's observations: "I put up a 160 meter end fed half wave antenna to get a feel for how it behaves, gathering more data and experience before the big spiral delta thingy build in a month. (hopefully, still on pandemic lockdown) What I found surprised me! If you like my videos, please subscribe here: http://www.youtube.com/user/loughkb?s... If you want me to keep making more videos like this,

5 Ways To Deal With Your H.O.A.-Get on the air!

Image
If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcyeyphLTIg .  This is post 2198 in a continuing series of simple ham radio antennas. Operating an amateur/ham radio station in a deed-controlled property (HOA/CC&R) can present a difficult challenge, especially if your neighbors have a bias against radio amateurs. In this video, "TechGear Junkie" discusses five ways to deal with your HOA and "Get on the air!" Some of these approaches may be problematic, depending on how receptive your HOA board is. In the end, you may be forced to go "under deep cover" and thoroughly disguise your antennas so that your neighbors never suspect a thing.  Of course, if a nosey neighbor discovers your antenna "secret", you may find your current housing a highly temporary affair. Try the approaches discussed in this video--you may have more success than you think. Good luck. --

Ham Radio Basics--Dipole Center Insulator

Image
If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5OqrvyjTgs .  This is post 2197 in a continuing series of simple ham radio antennas. Thanks to Jim (W6LG) for this exceptionally well-made tutorial on how to make a center insulator/connector for HF dipole antennas. The parts list for this simple, do it yourself project includes PVC plumbing pieces, a coax connector, and screw eyes. The finished product will be strong and weather resistant. ----- 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/ http://www.hamradioupdate.com. http://www.southgatearc.org. https://oahuarrlnews.wordpress.com. https://hamradiohawaii.wordpress.com. https://bigislandarrlnews.com. https://www.eham.net. https://paper.li/f-1576465810 (breaking Amateur/Ham Radio News). Thanks for joining us today.