Posts

Build an HF long wire balloon antenna. Post #1092.

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If you can't view this video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_0jBKFNTs. How about some antenna experiments during the upcoming ARRL 2017 Field Day Communications exercise on 24-25 June 2017?  In this video, we see how a group of radio amateurs used a long wire antenna supported by a helium -filled balloon for contacts on 40 meters during the 2016 ARRL Field Day held north of Vero Beach, Florida .  The antenna worked very well.  If you're really ambitious, try a 160 meter end-fed wire supported by a helium-filled weather balloon .  Don't forget the counterpoise/ground radial system, a 9:1 balun , and an antenna "tuner" to round out the antenna package. For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please visit these websites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. https://oahuarrlnews.wordpress.com. https://bigislandarrlnews.wordpress.com. http://www.kh6jrm.info (breaking news for radio amateur

How to Install Ham Antenna Ground Radials. Post #1091.

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If you can't view this video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnN0NVGqtKQ. One of the more tedious chores in building an efficient, effective HF vertical antenna is the creation of a ground radial or counterpoise system. Putting in such a system is often time consuming and and frustrating.  In this video from Rich Rogers, we see how a simple edger can help you lay out a buried radial system that will increase the efficiency of your HF vertical.  Each groove takes about 10 minutes to dig.  Ground or lawn staples will make sure your radial wires stay in the ground.  A good weekend project that will improve the performance of your HF vertical antenna. For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please visit these websites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. https://oahuarrlnews.wordpress.com. https://bigislandarrlnews.wordpress.com. http://www.kh6jrm.info (breaking news for radio amateurs ). Other sites of

2m Yagi for SOTA. Post # 1090.

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2m Yagi for SOTA (http://www.dxzone.com/cgi-bin/jump2.cgi?ID-32621). Author:  Matt (K0MOS). Accessed on 04 April 2017, 00:25 hrs, UTC . Please click link or insert title URL into your browser search box to read the full article and to see the accompanying video. Comment: The Summits on the Air (SOTA) program has grown considerably over past few years, with more radio amateurs than ever strapping on their packs to make contacts from nearby peaks.  Lightweight gear and simple  antennas are a must. However, not all antenna designs that look good at ground level can actually stand up to the rigors of backpacking to high peaks. Although the 2 meter Yagi antenna used by Matt (K0MOS) did the job, it practically fell apart when he used it atop a tall peak.  The video record of Matt's antenna adventure in the mountains is a cautionary tale for all of us depending on a few pieces of wire to maintain communications. As one responder to his article mentioned, Matt would hav

DELTA Loop. Post #1089.

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If you can't view this video, please insert this title link into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OD9CU4c_KNY. Here's another simple antenna that can be used at your home station or in portable or emergency operations, such as the upcoming 2017 ARRL Field Day on 24-25 June 2017.  Simon (M0YKS/2E0HTS) uses a simple 20 meter delta loop, vertically polarized , along with an automatic antenna "tuner" to cover the 20 m, 17 m, 15 m, 12 m, and 10 meter amateur radio bands . Simon says he also uses the antenna on 40 meters.  I see his daughter, Martha, is serving as backup operator at Simon's station.  A nice, pleasant, "laid back" video that gets the message across simply and accurately.  I've used delta loops for several years. They are easy to build and fairly quiet. For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please visit these sites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. https://oahuarrlnews.wordpress.com. https://bi

Random Wire Antenna Lengths. Post #1088.

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Random Wire Antenna Lengths (http://www.dxzone.com/cgi-bin/dir/jump2.cgi?ID=30714). Author:  www.dxzone.com. Please click link or enter title URL into your browser search box to read the full article. Comment: A properly designed random wire antenna used in conjunction with a good ground radial or counterpoise system and a wide-range "tuner" can make an excellent HF multiband antenna for portable or emergency use. In this well-written article, we learn how to choose the optimal lengths for multiband operation.  The author supplies several helpful programs to get you started as well as excellent graphic presentations of the lengths you should avoid. The basic guidelines are simple: Make your random wire antenna at least 1/4 wavelength for each band you plan to use. Be sure to complete the antenna system with a ground radial or counterpoise system. Be prepared to use a wide-range antenna '"tuner" if you want multiband capability.  The anten