Simple Ham Radio Antennas

Radio amateurs have used all kinds of strange objects for antennas, including the topic of this video--the common light bulb. Kevin Loughin (KB9RLW) wondered if the "classic" light bulb dummy load could be used as an impromptu or emergency antenna. Kevin finds out that an ordinary light bulb can be used to send HF signals at often surprising distances. Why not try this experiment for yourself?  Based on Kevin's experience, I wouldn't trade your current "dummy load" for that light bulb in your table lamp.  Still, the project is fascinating. If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_C1us8niIlA Thanks for joining us today. Aloha es 73 de Russ (KH6JRM).  

Here's another excellent antenna tutorial from Callum (M0MCX), better known perhaps as the "DX Commaner." In this video, Callum shows us 5, simple, inexpensive HF antennas that will appeal to both newly licensed radio amateurs as well as to experienced "pros" of the Amateur Radio community. Callum does a superb job of tying antenna theory to practical applications of "the antenna art."  Nicely done! If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mB39myfgmgc Here are some comments from Callum (M0MCX): Let's look at some cheap wire antennas for new amateur radio ops and how to we put them up, what materials do we use and how do we multi-band them? Callum. More videos:     • Antenna Modelling   Antenna Modelling     • Tips and Tricks   Tips and Tricks     • Antennas   Antennas     • Live Streams   Live Streams     • Commander World   My Stuff     • Foundation Training  

Thanks to Ed Fong (WB6IQN) and the Sierra Nevada Amateur Radio Society for this excellent, in depth discussion of collinear antennas for VHF and UHF...lots of great information in this video. If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlgkyRSUTDI Thanks for joining us today. Aloha es 73 de Russ (KH6JRM).  

If you want a different radio challenge, please try bicycle mobile on 160 meters. In this video, Michael (VK3CMC) and Alex (VK3JX) outfit a bicycle to operate on "Top Band" (160 meters)--not an easy task, but rewarding in the end. If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mh4djns03oY Here is more information on the installation: 300 views Feb 9, 2022 In this video VK3CMC goes bicycle mobile while operating on the 160M ham radio band. He goes through some of the the items used to allow him to operate at 1.860 MHz, his bicycle and display some of his off road skills. A must watch for any amateur radio operator! This video features VK3CMC Michael and VK3JX Alex based in the south eastern suburbs of Melbourne Australia ------- Thanks for joining us today. Aloha es 73 de Russ (KH6JRM).  

End Fed Random Wire Antennas can be effective, easy-to-build HF antennas if you follow the instructions in this video from Michael Martens (KB9VBR). Michael takes us through the design, construction, and testing of this versatile HF antenna.  This design suitable for both at home and "in the field operations." If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browsers search box:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_-aNzrIXWs Here are some comments from Michael (KB9VBR): Can a non resonant antenna be efficient? It sure can. I show you how to build a non resonant random wire antenna with a 9:1 transformer. FT-140 43 mix Ferrite Toroid: https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/... Toroid Core FT140-43 Ferrite: https://amzn.to/3WKPApC 18ga Enameled Magnet Wire: https://amzn.to/3WFhSBX 4 in. x 4 in. x 2 in. PVC Junction Box - Gray: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Carlon-4-... Homebrew Antenna Challenge:     • Amazing! We built...   Random Wire end fed antenna