Simple Ham Radio Antennas

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

If you're unable to view this video, please insert this title link into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/H7w-dji-Nv4.  This is part 2, of how to build and use an OCF 80-6 meter Dipole Antenna suitable for portable, emergency, or even for HOA/CC&R-restricted areas. This is post number 757. In this video, "survivalist2008" pays particular attention to the importance of an antenna transmatch to make sure your rig isn't damaged by the high SWRs found on this antenna system.  "Survivalist2008" (John) (KU4JZ) also describes the battery system he uses to operate in the field. John's Off-Center-Fed-Dipole is simple, inexpensive, and highly portable.  After he finishes for the day, John simply winds up the antenna wire on a trout fishing reel.  A nice antenna for portable use.  For the latest Amateur Radio news and events, please check out the blog's sidebars.  These news feeds are updated daily. Thanks for joining us today!  Aloha es 73 de R

If you're having trouble viewing this video, please insert this title link into your browser search box: https://youtu.be/IuXPsKX6nYw.  Here's another simple, inexpensive, and lightweight antenna you can use for emergency, portable, or even home use.  In this video, "survivalist2008" show us just how easy it is to create an effective HF antenna from simple materials.  He says the antenna covers all amateur radio bands between 80 and 6 meters. The antenna is "stealthy" and fits on a trout fishing reel, making it easy to carry to your operating site.  This is part one of a two-part series.  This is post #756.  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/1Da43_y_OMw.  Great mobile antenna idea from Duncan (EA5ON).  A simple, cheap, and efficient set up for using your HF rig while you are parked or using your vehicle as a support for a portable station. The equipment list is fairly basic:  a ball mount from Hustler; the 12-foot/3.65 meters extendable whip and screw driver antenna are from MFJ; and the extension mast is from DX Engineering.  You could even use this arrangement as a quasi-stealth antenna in a HOA/CC&R situation.  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).