Simple Ham Radio Antennas

Excellent idea for a stealth antenna for those of us operating under burdensome HOA rules and CC&Rs. Just make sure the gutter is bonded together with pop rivets or screws to maintain integrity and electrical conductivity. I've built several versions of this antenna for various bands, all fed with fairly cheap RG-6 coaxial cable available as "end of reel" pieces from cable company installers. This 75-ohm coax is also available from the TV or cable accessories department of Walmart. My old Drake MN-4 antenna transmatch ("tuner") handled the slight mismatch between the cable impedance and the nominal 50-ohm impedance of my trusty Ten-Tec Argosy II. I also attached "counterpoise" wires (one for each band of use) to the ground lug of the Drake MN-4. This antenna is simple and it works. 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 f

- How will the 5G network change the world? - via Eagle Averro - Newsvine : 1 December 2014 How will the 5G network change the world? By Ed Ram BBC News The global race is on to develop 5G, the fifth generation of mobile network. While 5G will follow in the footsteps of 4G and 3G, this time scientists are more excited. They say 5G will be different - very different. If you're thinking, "Great, that's the end of my apps stalling, video faltering, and that everlasting load sign," then you are right - but that's only part of the story. "5G will be a dramatic overhaul and harmonisation of the radio spectrum," says Prof Rahim Tafazolli who is the lead at the UK's multimillion-pound government-funded 5G Innovation Centre at the University of Surrey. That means the opportunity for properly connected smart cities, remote surgery, driverless cars and the "internet of things". So, how best to understand this joined-up, superfast,

Here's another idea for an antenna system in a restricted housing area (HOA). This ham used a LDG S9V31 telescoping fiberglass mast vertical with 24 ground radials using CAT 5 cabling. He raises the mast from ground level when he uses it and lowers the mast when he is done. The vertical is colored green so it blends in with the surroundings. It also helps that he knows when HOA inspectors make their rounds. Not a perfect solution, but it works for this amateur radio operator . Of course, the best solution is not to live in a home governed by HOAs or CC&Rs. That option, however, is being reduced every time a new housing development opens for business. So, finding a home with no antenna restrictions is getting more difficult by the day. For most of my amateur radio "career", I've had to operate under restrictions, so, I'm aware of the difficulty of getting a decent antenna built without the housing police coming down on you. I've used indoor ant

SocialHams.Net: another place for hams to hang out - KB6NU's Ham Radio Blog : SocialHams.Net: another place for hams to hang out december 1, 2014 by dan kb6nu. This morning, I got an e-mail from Andreas , OE8APR. He’s the guy behind SocialHams.Net, a new social networking site for amateur radio operators. According to OE8APR, you can “You can meet people; chat online; check our top rated, featured items; read about popular topics; wish someone special on his/her birthday; match your interests; and even take advantage of our elaborate people search option.” SocialHams.Net includes several apps that you can use to make your amateur�radio operating more enjoyable: DX Cluster. This�tool, which Andreas claims is the�first HTML5 web socket based DXCluster client, allows you to monitor DX spots and spot DX stations that you hear on the air. Logbook . The�logbook allows you �to add, edit, organize and sort their contacts all in one convenient location. APRS Map.�The APRS featu

History This Week | Southgate Amateur Radio News : Page last updated on: Sunday, November 30, 2014 History This Week A look back at events that made history this week - compiled by the Summerland Amateur Radio Club of Lismore, NSW Monday, 1 December, 2014 1732 James Blair was�rescued from a fire in a coal mine. William Tossach, a Scottish surgeon revived him using mouth to mouth ventilation. 1799 Metric System established in France. 1876 Daniel Stillson (Massachusetts) patents first practical pipe wrench. 1893 First Electric Car built in Toronto, could go 15 miles between charges. 1909 George Taylor makes first free flight in a glider at Narrabeen Beach, New South Wales . 1941 Japanese attack Pearl Harbor , brings the USA into WW2. 1942�First controlled nuclear chain reaction (Enrico Fermi - University of Chicago). 1996�NASA's first Mars rover launched from Cape Canaveral . • Read last week's 'History This Week' • Visit the Summerland Amat