Simple Ham Radio Antennas

If you're having difficulty viewing this video, please insert this title link into your brower search box: https://youtu.be/0nsomb-V-3s.  Operating in a HOA/CC&R restricted area presents some unique challenges.  Antennas must be "stealthy" (unseen), simple, easily deployed, and quickly taken down if suspicions are raised by your neighbors.  While this stealth installation of a RadioWavz 80 OCF (off center-fed) dipole is a bit complicated, it can be done quite quickly if you plan carefully and avoid prying eyes during the installation phase.  Please note how this radio amateur uses a privacy fence, trees, and property geography to hide this antenna from public view.  Although this antenna arrangement won't beat a 3-element yagi on the bands, it will get you on the air with a decent signal without being seen.  A basic rule applies:  Out of sight, out of mind.  Good luck. For the latest Amateur Radio news and events, please check out the blog sidebars.  These news

Underground HF Antenna, 40 meter Loop--Survival Podcast (https://thesurvivalpodcast.com/forum/index.php?topic=51280.0). Accessed on 30 April 2016, 02:06 hrs, UTC. Reporter:  Carl, "Mr. Ham Tastic." Comment: If you need the ultimate stealth antenna, why not use a subsurface 40 meter loop suggested by the author of this intriguing article?  For a slight sacrifice in receive strength, you can get a reduced noise level plus the added attraction of using an "invisible" antenna.  Carl built a 154-foot/46.95 meter loop and placed in beneath his yard.  The antenna is quiet, nearly invisible, and fairly cheap.  Although you do get a signal that's 2-3 dB below a regular dipole, regular noise is reduced considerably, so the trade-off may be worth pursuing.  Underground antennas have been used for years by the world's major military powers, and there is no reason why you can't discover the benefits of this antenna as well. Other ground-mounted antennas can w

If you're having trouble viewing this video, please insert this title link into your search box: https://youtu.be/J9a1mAAtSbE.  This easy to understand video from http://www.radiowavz.com shows how adding a simple counterpoise or radial ground system can greatly enhance the quality of an antenna.  A good ground radial system is especially important for vertical antennas, since the radial system supplies "the missing half" of a vertical antenna system.  The intent of the video is to show that radials do make a difference in antenna performance.  I'll cover the "nuts and bolts" of ground radial systems in a future post.  But, for now, this video gives you an indication of just how important a ground radial system is to most antennas.  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 trouble viewing this video, please insert this title link into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/bdCCw0qu5-g.  With the ARRL Field Day set for 25-26 June 2016, it may be a good idea to go "into the field" and test your portable and emergency gear.  Even if you don't join a club for this effort, individual and home stations can enter one of the biggest emergency preparedness exercises of the year.  A little practice beforehand will get "you in shape" for the big event.  Besides, backpacking with amateur radio is fun and educational.  In this well-done video, we see how Simon (2E0CRV) prepares his backpack radio station for a hike "into the field."  His system is simple, efficient, fairly lightweight, and easy to set up in a remote location.  Although Simon is using the versatile Yaesu FT-857D transceiver, you can use what you have available in your shack.  In my case, I use an "oldie, but goodie" from the distan

If you're having trouble viewing this video, please insert this title link into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/VdaX0cSAbVE.  John (KU4JZ), aka "Survivalist2008", wraps up his excellent tutorial on portable backpacking operations with this brief demonstration of the battery, solar panel, and charging system he uses with his ICOM-703 QRP rig in the field.  Most of the components were secured through eBay.  His battery system consists of three AGM Sealed Led Acid Batteries, a 4-stage battery charger, and a 8" X 8" (20.32 cm X 20.32 cm) solar panel. This combination gives John plenty of transmit time using his newly made 80-6 meter OCF Dipole Antenna described in the two previous posts.  While this arrangement may not meet your operating demands, it will give some valuable and inexpensive ideas about powering your amateur radio station for portable or emergency operations.  For the latest Amateur Radio news and events, please check out the blog sidebar