Simple Ham Radio Antennas

If you're having difficulty viewing this video, please insert this title link into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/idDmf4bNMYw.  Here's a practical device that will serve both shortwave listeners and radio amateurs.  In this video, "The Radio Hobbyist" shows us how to share one antenna among several receivers, using a simple switch. This cheap, easily-assembled, and portable antenna switch is for receiving only.  Most of the materials can be found in your "junk" box, at the nearest hamfest, or through a variety of amateur radio dealers.  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/veij7M7tZzk.  Exceptionally well-done presentation by "videosbymike" on how to assemble the "ultimate bugout mobile portable ham radio survival setup."  Mike's portable system is lightweight, efficient, and easy to deploy for emergencies or operations "in the field."  Mike's system uses the Yaesu FT-857D HF/VHF/UHF transceiver, a LDG YT-100 antenna transmatch (i.e. "tuner"), a 14 Ahr AGM sealed lead-acid battery, an 80-watt sine wave inverter, and two, 20-watt solar panels. Mike also demonstrates some of the HF and VHF antennas he uses with this portable station.  There are many great ideas in this well-paced video.  Every radio amateur should have a backup station for emergencies or portable use.  For the latest Amateur Radio news and events, please check out the blog sidebars.  These news feeds are updated dai

How to Build a ZS6BKW Antenna (optimized G5RV) (https://www.vk4mdx.wordpress.com/2013/09/02/how=to-build-a-zs6bkw-antenna-optimized-g5rv-antenna/). Accessed on 05 May 2016, 02:21 hrs, UTC. Author:  David Olsen (VK4MDX). The original G5RV antenna designed by Louis Varney (G5RV) (SK) continues to serve radio amateurs well around the world.  Although Varney clearly designed this dipole as a 3/2 wavelength antenna for 20 meters, it can be used on amateur radio bands from 80 meters through 10 meters with a suitable tuner. Performance on bands other than 20 meters can be variable because of many factors, including feedline length, the type of feedline, and very high SWRs on some bands.  As a 20 meter antenna, the G5RV does an excellent job.  On other amateur radio bands, performance often suffers. However, with a few modifications regarding antenna element length and the correct combination of 50 ohm coaxial cable and 450 ohm ladder line, it's possible to improve the all-band per

If you're having trouble viewing this video, please insert this title link into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/kGyAveQsf60.  Here's another antenna idea for those of us living on small city lots.  In this video, Tracy ("Outdoors On The Air") uses a HyEndFed 5 Band HF Antenna to get some interesting contacts on a cold day. His 75-foot/22.86 meter end-fed antenna seems to do well, even without a counterpoise wire or extensive radial ground system.  I've found that end-fed wires usually need a counterpoise or radial system to function at peak efficiency and to keep unwanted rf out of the shack. I usually keep it simple:  I attach a counterpoise wire for the lowest frequency in use to the ground lug of my Drake MN-4 antenna transmatch.  That seems to work fairly well and keeps rf outside where it belongs.  None the less, Tracy's video is well-done and offers plenty of suggestions for those radio amateurs living in compromised situations. For the late

If you're having trouble viewing this video, please insert this title link into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/mLDeuEyV_qM. A helpful, well-paced tutorial on how to set up a stealth antenna in a home or apartment governed by an HOA or CC&R. The task of designing, building, and installing a stealth antenna is no easy task, but if you are careful and pay attention to the geography, natural features, and building arrangement of your HOA/CC&R home, you can succeed in getting a working antenna for your location.  Be sure to have an antenna transmatch (i.e. "tuner") and a counterpoise or ground radial system in place. You can either build your own antenna or use a commercial model from such companies as Maple Leaf Studios.  This is post #763 of a continuing series on Simple Ham Radio 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