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=0zF7bDoqkG4 This is post 2573 in a continuing series of simple ham radio antennas. Thanks to Gil from the "RadioPreppers.com" website for this fascinating look at end-fed antennas. Gil does an excellent job of explaining the pros and cons of this popular Amateur Radio antenna. Gil shows how to maximize the performance of end-fed random wires with a variety of UNUNs, including 9:1 and 49:1 transformer values. Here are some comments from Gil: Hoping to clear up some confusion on end-fed wires, half-wave or random and the impedance transformers used with them. You also get a free rant on contests and a quick glimpse of my new Elecraft K1. Check out the Half-Wave End-Fed antenna group on Facebook, by Steve Ellington. Formulas for half-wave wire calculations are 143/f in MHz for meters and 468/f for feet. Feedback would be appreciated especially to correct an

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9DEoSsgHlE This is post 2572 in a continuing series of simple ham radio antennas. Do you need a simple, reliable antenna for LEO (Low Earth Orbit) Amateur Radio Satellites? If this is on you "to do" list, then this video from John (KB2HSH) may answer many of your questions. According to Jerry (K5OE), the Eggbeater Antenna "is an omni-directional antenna using circular polarization to maximize signal capture from low Earth orbiting satellites."  This antenna "is 2 full-wave length loops fed in quadrature." The video lists all of the materials and tools needed to design, build, and test the antenna. Thanks for joining us today. Aloha es 73 de Russ (KH6JRM). Here are some additional notes from John (KB2HSH): Music in this video Learn more Listen ad-free with YouTube Premium Song Bitter Sweet Symphony (Extended Version) Artist The Verve W

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1mkLN4s6bo This is post 2571 in a continuing series of simple ham radio antennas. Now that Solar Cycle 25 is underway, many radio amateurs will resume their search for DX and other rare locations. One of the best early bands for serious DX work is the familiar standby of 20 meters.  That band is open many hours of the day, including some evening and early morning operations. In this video, Peter of "Waters & Stanton" in the UK shows us how to design, make, and use a basic "L" antenna.  The antenna uses only 2 pieces of wire for the antenna--one for the radiating element and the other for a counterpoise. Despite is simplicity, the antenna works well and should give you many hours of enjoyment. Here are some comments from Peter: Here's a simple wire antenna that you can make quickly. It's a sure fire design that will get you onto 20m

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l91JL2ImEbk This is post 2570 in a continuing series of simple ham radio antennas. Thanks to Steve (VE6WZ) for this excellent guide to designing, building, and installing a field expedient Beverage receiving antenna.   Here are a few comments from Steve: Various methods for construction and installation of a Beverage RX antenna in the field. Described are methods for wire layout, tree clearing, wire support and both feed-point and termination installation using tree supports. Also shown is how the relay boxes for multiple Beverages, and the broadside phasing boxes are deployed in the field. ----- Thanks for joining us today. Aloha de Russ (KH6JRM).  

How would you like to improve the performance of your 80 meter HF antenna? All you have to do is follow Don Johnson's (N4DJ) suggestions and build a "classic" half-square antenna.  The antenna is bidirectional and exhibits  some gain broadside to the antenna. If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SBGdPMnH-E This is post 2569 in a continuing series of simple ham radio antennas. If you don't have room for the 80 Meter Half-Square, try building one for 20 or 15 meters.  Either way, this antenna will add some RF "power" to your signal. Here are a few comments from Don: My 80 meter bent half square was probably the best antenna I ever had. I had it broadside to Europe at my Hampton Va QTH, I had it broadside to the Pacific area for one contest at my New Kent location and then installed it again broadside to Europe. Very hard to work Europe off the ends so I took about 5 hours t

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYlECCWTbCE This is post 2568 in a continuing series of simple ham radio antennas. An antenna transmatch (i.e. tuner or coupler) is a familiar piece of equipment in many ham shacks.  "Tuners" insure that impedances between antennas and transceivers are matched to allow maximum efficiency. In this video, Michael Martens (KB9VBR) shows us how to properly use an antenna "tuner" to maximize your antenna system.  Michael uses the popular MFJ-949E (I use the same tuner) to demonstrate basic "tuner" concepts. Here are some of Michaels comments: Antenna tuners are a vital, yet slightly misunderstood ham radio station accessory. In this video we talk about what an antenna tuner does and doesn't do, how it works, and how to tune your antenna system with a manual antenna tuner. MFJ-949E Manual Antenna Tuner: https://amzn.to/3980MW4 ​ Rigex

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLgFeTpIX4A This is post 2567 in a continuing series of simple ham radio antennas. Now that solar cycle 25 is underway, HF propagation should show some improvement over the next few years. This would be a perfect time to build an inexpensive, basic 10 meter ground plane antenna.  Ten meter operations can be quite exciting once propagation supports signals in the 28 MHz Amateur Radio Band. In this video from Dave Tadlock (KG0ZZ), we get a thorough step-by-step tutorial on how to design, build, and test a 10 meter ground plane antenna. Even if propagation is weak, you can use 10 meters for local nets and mobile operations. Here are some of Dave's comments: A 10 meter ground plane antenna that can be mounted on a mast or used as a ground mounted vertical antenna. For more information about this antenna: http://www.amateurradio.bz/10-11m_gro... ----- Thanks for jo