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=m-8P1-PfT9s One of the major problems with vertical and random length wire antennas is the installation of an effective ground radial or counterpoise system.  Without a good ground radial system, the performance of your 1/4 wavelength vertical or long wire antenna will suffer. In this video from Callum McCormick (M0MCX), we see one way to design, install, and test a ground radial system for HF vertical antennas. Here are some of Callum's comments: Ground Radials are a thing of "Mystique". I use the formula of using 4-wavelengths of wire in total, cut into random lengths to suit.All my radials are LESS than 1/8th of a wavelength. For 80m, my radials are around 2.4% of the wavelength. My experience and demonstration in a real-world solution will assist our thinking. HEY, Subscribe here: https://goo.gl/thM5Vq My Shop: https://www.m0mcx.co.uk/store/pr

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZoYyluYdaU&ab_channel=SteveEllington This is post 2403 in a continuing series of simple ham radio antennas. An inverted L antenna makes an excellent 160 meter antenna for radio amateurs short on space.  In this video, Steve Ellington modifies a design by K2AV and erects a 160 meter antenna in his back yard. The key to an efficient 160 meter vertical antenna is an extensive ground radial system.  In this case, Steve uses an interlocking counterpoise to provide the ground return for his antenna.  The antenna works despite space constraints. You can find K2AV's original pdf here: https://k2av.com. ----- Thanks for joining us today. Aloha es 73 de Russ (KH6JRM)  

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rujoKVOhK8&ab_channel=HamRadioConcepts Thanks to Eric of the "HamRadioConcepts Radio Channel" for this excellent discussion of stealth antennas for deed-restricted properties. Many of the antennas described in this discussion are based on ultra-light designs by N9SAD. If you're forced to use highly compromised antennas for your ham station, you may want to consider some of the ideas suggested by Eric. Here are few comments from Eric: By HAMS for HAMS Here are some super stealth ultra-lite HF dipoles made by N9SAD and some on-air testing. Here is the link to the ebay store.. And if you use promo code HRCdipole you can save 10% when you purchase.. http://www.ebay.com/usr/timortiz?_trk... is where i bought it. I will be using this on QRP day 12/17/2016 in my go-kit. Also check out the video i posted of QRP day, a great working antenna, good contac

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3uKViXEDog&ab_channel=KevinLoughin In his spare time, Kevin Loughin (KB9RLW) enjoys going on the road with his RV (recreational vehicle) and talking with radio amateurs around the country. In this video, Kevin show us his mobile "antenna farm" which enables communication from 160 meters to 70 cm. His antennas include a slim jim, doublet, an end-fed half-wave for 160m, and a Chameleon whip with a 9:1 balun. Here are some of Kevin's comments" In answer to many recent questions about what I use for antennas while roving around. Links to the various antenna build videos below. Slim Jim for 2 meters: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hG7d... Doublet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tA4lo... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sli_O... End fed half wave 160M: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFEs-... The Chameleon whip and 9:1 combo doesn't

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46SbGxS73dY&ab_channel=DigiInternationalInc. An excellent introduction to antenna design basics and how to use six fundamental parameters to maximize antenna performance. Here are some general comments from the video producer: Six key antenna parameters are discussed to assist with antenna selection, antenna integration and antenna design. Antenna implementation is critical to the performance of any wireless product. Design your mechanicals around the antenna to provide ample room for the antenna and ground plane so that the antenna can radiate properly. Be sure to impedance match off-the-shelf antennas and tune custom antennas in-situ, as they will likely be de-tuned once integrated into the device due to ground plane effects, batteries, plastic enclosures and even human tissue for wearables. Learn more about Digi Wireless Design Services here: http://bit.ly/

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qm2Anc96Dqo&ab_channel=2E0EZTamateurradio This is post 2399 in a continuing series of simple ham radio antennas. Thanks to Carl (2E0EZT) for this excellent, oft times humorous look at making a basic, inexpensive 20 meter vertical antenna.  The antenna is good for both home and field use. Here are some of Carl's observations: A quick video following a conversation with a fellow operator about working lightweight SOTA or similar. I own an MP1 SuperAntenna but felt that making a simple wire antenna and a small flag pole could get you onto the lower bands (20m) quite easily and lightweight. I made this antenna during a break while working at home, it tested fine on the analyser and worked very well during a quick deployment at some high ground near home. PLEASE NOTE: the fold over wire (about 90cm) should be kept away from the rest of the wire antenna runni

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browsers search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDfg6ytPOf0&ab_channel=RateMyRadio This is post 2398 in a continuing series of simple ham radio antennas. Thanks to Jarrad (VK3BL) for this simple antenna switch box project. Here are some of Jarrad's comments" We discuss why Mr. T (connector) is best left as a TV Star, and why they're not suitable for use as an antenna splitter in a Ham Shack. We cover the Mini-Circuits ZSC-2-2+ HF Splitter, and why its such a good solution to the problem of splitting an antenna between receivers, especially if you want to do accurate comparisons. We also cover how to use the 'RX Loop' on the IC-7610, and demonstrate using it to split the received signal between itself and the Icom IC-R8600. Stay QRV for lab grade transceiver shoot outs, with directly recorded audio from each so you can make up your mind for yourself :) Please feel free to be in conta