Simple Ham Radio Antennas

If you're having troble viewing this video, please insert this address into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/ CU_RnLpZ9gw. Here's another antenna idea for those operating in deed restricted areas, such as HOAs and CC&Rs.  In this video, Peter (VK3YE) shows us how to make a 100 watt, 7 MHz magnetic loop antenna suitable for both home and portable operation . According to Peter, "There are no hard to get parts or complex workshop skills required to build this antenna.  Instead of an expensive vacuum variable capacitor , the antenna is brought into resonance with a length of RG-213 coax (approximately 1.85 meters/6.06-feet) for a 3 m/9.84-feet circumference 7 MHz loop."  Peter adds that "The sliding capacitor can be approximately 6 X 8 cm/2.36 X 3.14 inches." Be careful where you mount this antenna, because hazardous voltages can occur on the capacitor during transmit.  Peter says he has good results with this small, portable magnetic loop a

If you're having trouble viewing this video, please insert this address into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/y3-LIQ6G6e4.  Here's a very simple loop antenna that will cover the amateur radio 20-10 meter bands.   Lynn (NG9D) has done an excellent job of describing the antenna and the procedure needed to lift it into place.  Loops are fairly forgiving antennas and can deliver a theorectical 2dB gain over a dipole at the same frequency.  Loops are quiet and can be either horizontally or vertically polarized to meet your DX needs. You can also feed this loop antenna with television twin lead or 450 ohm cable.  You'll need a balanced tuner or a 4:1 balun/tuner combination to complete the project. Either way, this loop is easy to make and can serve as an excellent portable or emergency 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

If you're having trouble viewing this video, please insert this address into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/Jo0QB83tdkQ.  Here's an interesting antenna design for those of us who like to experiment with unconventional antennas. Tinker John (W5CYF) introduces us to the Slinky Antenna in a clear step-by-step process that's easy to follow. I've found feeding the Slinky with television twin lead or 450 ohm ladder line into a 4:1 balun and then into your antenna transmatch with a short piece of RG-8X coaxial cable will enable you to get multiband coverage from 40 to 10 meters.  I've built a few of these Slinky Antennas for 20 meters and for general SWL activities with my old Hallicrafters SX-62A receiver.  Given its limitations, the Slinky Antenna works fairly well. 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. You can follow our blog community with a free

If you're having trouble viewing this video, please insert this address into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/29CA_IPyg9M.  In this video, 2E0VOV shows us how easy it is to design and build a vertical half wave antenna covering the 10, 20, and 40 meter amateur radio bands .  This antenna closely resembles the popular "Par End fedz" QRP multiband antenna.  The only thing I would add to this otherwise excellent presentation, is a quarter wave counterpoise wire for each band of use. These wires could be attached to the ground lug of the antenna transmatch ("tuner") or at the base of the antenna mast.  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 communit 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 Amateur Radio advert in space launch! CW Skimme

If you're having trouble viewing this video, please insert this address into your browser's search box: https//youtu.be/YIS64xHIoq0.  Nicely done video from Stan Gibilisco (W1GV) on the theory and design of a trap half-wave dipole antenna covering the 40, 20, 15, and 10 meter amateur radio bands. The video contains technical and construction tips that will have this simple antenna up and running in a short time.  This antenna is perfect for areas with limited space.  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 enter this address into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/c1Ays78mwZA.  If you feel adventurous and want to build your own ladder line for your multiband dipole , check out this video from Steve Ellington (N4LQ).  For the antenna feed line , Steve used 41.5-ft/12.65 meters of 12-gauge "Flexweave" from The Wireman.  The acrylic forms to support his twin feeders came from USplatic in Lima, Ohio (http:www.usplastic/catalog/item.aspx?sku=440019).  His antenna is a flat top dipole, measuring 128-ft/39.02 meters.  Steve says his home brewed tuned feeders exhibit lower loss than commercially available 450 ohm ladder line. This would make an excellent weekend project and will convert your single band dipole into a multi-band antenna.  You will need a balanced "tuner" to complete the antenna package.  You could also connect your home brewed ladder line to a 4:1 balun , followed by a short length of 50

If you're having trouble viewing this video, please insert this address into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/AmNjvHxJWgw.  Interesting demo produced by WW2DX.  He and Gary (K3FGO) built a 720-ft/219.31 meters Beverage Receive Antenna on Gary's property in Massachusetts. The wire was elevated above ground by approximately 9-10-ft/2.74-3.04 meters. The feedline was 1,000-ft/304.87 meters of RG-6 coaxial cable.  If you have the space, a very large spool of weather resistant wire, a good stock of RG-6 coax, a friend to help you, and the patience to proceed carefully, then you'll have an extremely effective receive antenna for 160 meters or even the standard AM broadcast band. During this demonstration, the antenna was aimed 55 degrees towards Europe.  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 f

If you're having trouble viewing this video, please insert this address into your browser search box: https//youtu.be/ GVn9rLvQF_4.  For many of us in the amateur radio community, a move to a new home or apartment will compel us to think about how our new ham shack will look.  When I moved most of my amateur radio equipment to my new home (still under construction) on Hawaii Island, I organized the transition fairly well, so I thought.  I'm still trying to find a good place for the "radio room".  Most of my operating is being done with a temporary inverted V antenna hooked to my standby Yaesu FT-7 QRP rig in the garage.  Most of the other rooms are still full of kitchen goods, clothing, and other items left over from the initial move.  If I were better organized, I would have thought out things a bit better.  So, while I prepared new plans for the ham shack, I ran across Randy Hall's (K7AGE) video on how he is building a ham shack in his new home in Gold, Oreg

If you're having trouble viewing this video, please enter this address into your browser search box: https//youtu.be/BrVgcxVqwng. In this well-produced and easy to follow video tutorial, Dave Tadlock (KG0ZZ) discusses the theory, design, building, and the use of cubical quad antennas for both HF and VHF amateur radio bands .  Cubical quads provide a substantial amount of gain and directivity , important considerations for DX chasers.  Cubical quads are fairly easy to make for VHF and UHF frequencies.  Most of us can probably handle a quad for 10 meters as well.  Cubical quads for 20 meters can present some construction issues, so extra care must be used to build these antennas for durability and strength.  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 Ru

If you're having difficulty viewing this video please enter this address in your browser search box: https://youtu.be/UABXDyu_hsE.  Here's a simple, easily constructed antenna that will give you some gain over a vertical monopole antenna for the 2 Meter Amateur Radio band .  Most of the materials for this J Pole antenna can be found at your neighborhood hardware store or home improvement center. You can make this antenna out of a variety of materials, including aluminum rods, copper tubing, #12 AWG wire, 300 ohm television twin lead, or 450 ohm ladder line .  This is a fun, educational 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). Related articles Building a Simple Multiband Antenna That Works Letter Re: Building a Simple Multiband Antenna That Works, by The Consultant Solar panels light up villages Design and Optimizati

If you're having difficulty in viewing this video, please insert this address into your browser search box: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4CQ3WDcfYBU&feature=youtu.be.  Here's another stealth antenna idea for those radio amateurs living in deed-restricted areas (HOAs and CC&Rs ). Rich Rogers is using a 55-foot/16.15 meters Ultimax DXtreme Antenna to get on the air.  When I lived in a CC&R apartment (bottom floor, thankfully), I used a telescoping fiberglass mast to support a vertical antenna with as many radials as I could fit into my small backyard.  I usually operated CW at night and nested the antenna to ground level during the day.  I was indeed lucky not to have been caught.  Rich's idea is certainly better than my apartment idea.  Try to get your antenna outside if you can.  For the latest Amateur Radio news and events, please check the blog sidebars. You can follow our blog community with a free email subscription or by tapping into the blog RSS fe