Simple Ham Radio Antennas

If you have difficulty viewing this video, please insert this into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/SOpdXHnzIA. An interesting variant on the familiar Inverted L antennas used for the lower amateur radio HF bands (160 meters, 80 meters, and 40 meters). Stan Gibilisco (W1GV) does a good job of explaining the general theory behind random wires and how to use them for effective HF antennas.  This "backward inverted L antenna" would be useful for amateurs who have their operating station on the second floor or higher in their homes or apartments. I haven't been active on 160 meters because of space limitations, but, with this design, that situation will change.  A few months ago, Dean (KH6B) gave me a pre-assembled 160 meter inverted L antenna to conduct experiments at my new QTH in the Puna District of Hawaii Island.  Unlike my present rental home, this property has one-acre of space to erect a nice antenna "farm."  Thanks to several tall trees and my t

If you're having difficulty in viewing this video, please insert this into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/ztwLdIm6wsM.  A simple, easy to understand tutorial on how to design, build, and use a 40 meter vertical antenna .  Jack Demaree made this video after deciding to repair and rebuild his original 40 meter vertical (the one in the video) after several years of use.  Jack used locally available materials, including a short length of schedule 40 PVC pipe , an aluminum plate, a 30 ft./9.14 meters length of 3 inch/7.62 cm diameter irrigation pipe, 60 quarter wave radials, a top hat consisting of three, 18 inch/45.72 cm rods, and a 50 ohm coaxial cable feedline.  With careful trimming, Jack didn't need an antenna transmatch ("tuner") to cover the 40 meter amateur radio band . This simple 40 meter vertical antenna will also work on the 15 meter amateur radio band, using the 3rd harmonic of 40 meters.  An antenna transmatch would be helpful for this band,

Antarctic and Subantarctic expedition videos | Southgate Amateur Radio News : This page is brought to you in association with The Southgate Amateur Radio Club (UK). (http://www.southgatearc.com/news/2015/november/antarctic_and_subantarctic_expedition_videos.htm). Accessed on 24 November 2015, 04:26 hrs, UTC. Page last updated on: Sunday, November 22, 2015 Antarctic and Subantarctic expedition videos. Mehdi, F5PFP, has put together a great list of Antarctic and Subantarctic expeditions videos available on the Web. Check them out: 3Y0PI : Cape Eva Camp - Peter I Island https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYRy94cFK4M FB8AX : Port Martin - Antarctica (From 3minutes 50 seconds to 26mn 50s in french language) http://www.canalu.mobi/video/cerimes/antarctique.9055 FT5XO : Port Jeanne d'Arc - Big Island of Kerguelen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXJgL8ukIuA FT5YJ: Port Charcot - Wandel Island, Antarctica https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=poMxAnKhzwM LU/FT5YJ : Almir

HF Long Wire Antenna Codan 403 (http://www.hf-ssb-transceiver.at-communication.com/en/codan/hf_ssb_antennas_c403.html). Accessed on 23 November 2015, 04:33 hrs, UTC . During my "career" as an amateur radio operator (since 1977), I've built a variety of antennas, including HF "longwires" designed to fit my property line and my portable operating requirements. Although these antennas are fun to make, they do take a lot of time to design and build properly, especially the winding and overall construction of the balun (usually 9:1).  The installation of a good ground radial or counterpoise system is important, too.  This type of antenna also requires an antenna transmatch ("tuner") to operate on amateur radio bands from 80 to 10 meters.  If you'd rather have a professionally built HF Long Wire Antenna that covers 2 to 30 MHz , you can't go wrong with antenna products from Codan--a manufacturer of mil-spec manpack transceivers and antennas

If you're having trouble viewing this video, please insert this URL into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/8ZmyvtMvEGY. Excellent antenna tutorial from Ray (G4NSJ).  In this video, Ray shows us how to design, build, and erect a simple doublet antenna that will cover amateur radio and shortwave bands between 40 and 10 meters.  The key to the success of this basic antenna is the use of open feeders such as 300 ohm television twin lead or 450 ohm ladder line to feed a dipole made up of equal lengths of wire. The ladder line achieves a better antenna element balance than coax -fed antennas and severely limits common mode currents found on coax-fed installations.  Just attach the balanced feeders to a balanced ATU (antenna tuning unit), adjust your "tuner" for the lowest SWR, and begin operating.  Over the past few years, I've learned to love balanced feed lines, since they can turn basic dipoles into multiband antennas.  My backup antenna at home is a 40