Simple Ham Radio Antennas

If you're having difficulty viewing this video, please insert this address into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/RpE0Oghqpfk.  A short, basic tutorial from Dan Vanevenhoven on where to mount your mobile HF antenna for best operation.  Good, general information that will help you avoid common mistakes.  Before you begin your mobile HF antenna installation, be sure there's enough metal to establish a ground connection . Many modern vehicles have roofs made from composite plastics and other materials, which will make roof-mounted HF antennas poor performers.  Each location, be it roof, bumpers, or side panels has drawbacks.  So, plan accordingly.  For the latest Amateur Radio news and events, please check out the blog sidebars.  These news feeds are updated daily.  You can follow our blog community with a free email subscription or by tapping into the blog RSS feed.  Thanks for joining us today! Aloha es 73 de Russ (KH6JRM). Related articles HF versus VHF/UHF

472 kHz Antenna (http://www.george-smart.co.uk/wiki/472_kHz_Antenna). Accessed on 07 December 2015, 21:30 hrs, UTC . Author:   George Smart (M1GEO). In this post, George Smart (M1GEO) continues his work in the 630 meters section of the RF spectrum (472 kHz to 479 kHz).  In post #619, George described a simple, low-powered transmitter for 472 kHz.  In this article, George designs, builds, and tests a 472 kHz antenna that can be squeezed into your backyard.  George provides a basic design, calculation formulas, and graphs of antenna performance for his location.  Build this antenna and its low-powered transmitter, so you'll be ready when the FCC releases 472 kHz-479 kHz for radio amateurs in the United States . For the latest Amateur Radio news and events, please check out the blog sidebars. These news feeds are updated daily. You can follow our blog community with a free email subscription or by tapping into the blog RSS feed. Thanks for joining us today!  Aloha es 7

If you're having trouble viewing this video, please insert this address into your browse search box: https://youtu.be/yrduVaP05u4.  While the ARRL is urging the FCC to release rules and regulations for the newly authorized 630 meter amateur radio band (472-479 kHz ), you can use this time to make a simple WSPR transmitter for this new ham band. This well-produced tutorial from M1GEO shows us how to design, build, and use a simple WSPR transmitter for the 630 meter band . Antennas for this band tend to be large, so some compromises must be made. Despite antenna size limitations and power restrictions, some radio amateurs have completed successful contacts on this new band.  The first step in becoming a member of the 630 meter community is to build this simple transmitter. Good luck!  For the latest Amateur Radio news and events, please check out the blog sidebars.  These news feeds are updated daily.  You can follow our blog community with a free email subscription or by tap

If you're having trouble viewing this video, please insert this address into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/MxZMTja0Hn0.  In this video, Marshall Diaz (W0OTM) shows us how to make a simple, portable, and effective vertical antenna out of a telescoping Cabela 16.5-foot/5.03 meters fiberglass crappie fish pole and some 1/4 inch wide/0.635 cm wide copper tape.  Although Marshall doesn't specify the band of choice for this quickly- made antenna, based on its telescoped length, I believe the vertical would work for 20 meters. This antenna resembles the commercially available Solarcon A-99 antenna using copper tape instead of of copper wire for the radiating element.  Coupled with a suitable radial or counterpoise system, this antenna will give you many hours of DX chasing.  Fed with 300 ohm television twin lead or 450 ohm ladder line into a balanced tuner, this 20 meter vertical antenna could be used successfully between 20 and 10 meters. Related articles

If you're having difficulty viewing this video, please insert this address into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/7PR2ExR7mX0.  Good basic tutorial from Stan Gilibisco (W1GV) on how Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) affects Amateur Radio communications. Stan explains the origins of EMP, why it can disable communications (especially digital equipment), and how to protect your amateur radio equipment from EMP.  You may want to build a Faraday Cage for your rigs and other sensitive equipment.  It's always a good idea to disconnect your antenna after use. Unplug all power supplies and auxilary equipment from your rig after you sign off.  Be sure you have a good electrical and rf ground.  These simple steps will also offer some protection from lightning.  As a hedge against another Carrington Event (1859--wiped out many telegraph stations), you may want to buy a tube transceiver in case a super solar flare destroys the finals in your modern, solid state rig.  Hopefully, the sat

If you're having difficulty viewing this video, please insert this address into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/jS-reVGR_2s. Here's another idea for erecting your antennas in deed restricted areas (HOAs and CC&Rs).  In this case, "Kugellagers Noodle" designs a simple tilt-over mast to accommodate his VHF/UHF antennas.  He says the chimney of his house "screens" the antenna and mast from both the front and back of his home.  When the antenna isn't being used, it's lowered out of sight.  The mast parts came from local hardware stores.  The bracket is a "repurposed" joint bracket from Home Depot, costing between $6 and $7.  For the latest Amateur Radio news and events, please check out the blog sidebars.  These news feeds are updated daily. You can follow our blog community with a free email subscription or by tapping into the blog RSS feed. Thanks for joining us today!  Aloha es 73 de Russ (KH6JRM). Related articles ICQ

If you're having difficulty viewing this video, please insert this address into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/GLhNUmoIKKY.  Another well-produced, easy-to-follow antenna tutorial from Dave Tadlock (KG0ZZ).  This time, Dave designs, builds, and uses a coil loaded 40/80/160 meter inverted V antenna. Since all antenna elements are resonant for their designed bands, no antenna transmatch (i.e. "tuner) is necessary. If you want to use this antenna for 15 meters (the third harmonic of 40 meters), an antenna transmatch will help match your transceiver to the higher swr found by using the 40 meter segments on 15 meters.  This antenna is particularly useful in situations where you can only erect one mast or antenna support.  For the latest Amateur Radio news and events, please check out the blog sidebars.  These news feeds are updated daily. Thanks for joining us today!  Aloha es 73 de Russ (KH6JRM).

If you're having difficulty viewing this video, please insert this address into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/cQfj9879K_c.  If you would like multi-band HF coverage but  can erect only one antenna, then the dipole project from Bob Plank (KK4DIV) may be just what you need. Bob gives us a step-by-step tutorial on how to build this simple, yet effect multi-band antenna that covers the 40, 20, 17, 15, and 10 meter amateur radio bands.  Most of the material can be found at the nearest building supply outlet or home improvement center.  The balun for this antenna is easily made from some 50 ohm coaxial cable and PVC pipe.  This would make an excellent weekend project.  For the latest amateur radio news and events, please check out the blog sidebars.  These news feeds are updated daily.  Thanks for joining us today!  Aloha es 73 de Russ (KH6JRM).

This is post #613. If you're having trouble viewing this video, please insert this address in your browser search box: https://youtu.be/L0Ek_dOaQGA.  In this beautifully done video, Dave (2W0DAA) shows us some of his outstanding baluns and antennas, including this expertly homebrewed cage dipole.  Some of the older antenna designs, such as the caged dipole, are making their way back into the amateur radio community again.  If you want broadband response in the 160, 80, and 40 meter bands, you may want to try a caged dipole.  Dave shows us how to make one of these classic antennas.  For the latest Amateur Radio news and events, please check out the blog sidebars.  These news feeds are updated regularly.  You can follow our blog community with a free email subscription or by tapping into the blog RSS feed.  Thanks for joining us today!  Aloha es 73 de Russ (KH6JRM).

If you're having trouble viewing this video, please insert this into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/9xfpcD6xuSo.  This is an updated review of the 40 and 80 meter double bazooka antennas made by IAC Antennas (http://www.iacantennas.com) from Rob Wagner (VK3BVW).  The antenna is a quality product that stands up well to environmental conditions.  Although you can make a double bazooka yourself, you may prefer this commercially tested and guaranteed product from IAC Antennas.  The antenna is a bit heavy, so strong supports are needed to maintain the structural integrity of your antenna installation.  Mount the double bazooka antenna as high as you can get it.  I've seen these antennas during various ARRL Field Day events.  The performance of double bazooka antennas on 80 and 40 meters is impressive.  For the latest Amateur Radio news and events, please check out the blog sidebars. These news feeds are updated daily.  You can follow our blog community with a fre

If you're having trouble viewing this video, please insert this URL into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/za3xQs6wAR0. Nice homemade video by Dominic Smith on how to install a ground radial system for a vertical antenna...in this case the popular Hustler 6-BTV.  The important thing to remember is to install as many radials as you can.  The radial field supplies the missing half of your vertical antenna.  For the latest Amateur Radio news and events, please check out the blog sidebars.  These news feeds are updated daily. You can follow our blog community with a free email subscription or by tapping into the blog RSS feed. Thanks for joining us today! Aloha es 73 de Russ (KH6JRM).

If you're having difficulty viewing this video, please insert this address into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/QX9iwNOPSmI.  In this video, Andy Reynolds shows us a simple way to pull cable through a long underground pipe.  Andy's method involves some simple equipment, including a vacuum cleaner, some strong fishing line, and some plastic bags. This procedure can also be used to pull coaxial cable/feedlines from your outdoor antenna to your shack. Before you attempt this, be sure there are no buried gas or electrical lines in your work area.  It may be a good idea to use black plastic conduit to thread your cables, so utility crews won't mistake it for their own buried lines.  Although Andy used this approach to connect another solar array to his already existing solar power system, the same approach could be used for feeding a remotely located antenna on your property.  Be sure the coax you use is rated for outdoor and underground use.  Good luck! For the lat