Simple Ham Radio Antennas

If you're having trouble viewing this video, please insert this title link into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfnvqQeDLoQ.  Long wire HF antennas are great for both portable and home use if you have a good ground radial/counterpoise system and use a balun to match the antenna impedance to the impedance of your HF transceiver.  In this video, "Tinker John" (W5CYF) shows us how to make a simple 9:1 UnUn (unbalanced to unbalanced) for long or random length wire antennas.  John uses a T-130-2 core for the UnUn. John advises using thicker wire on the toroid if you plan to run more than 20 watts.  This simple, inexpensive project should only take a few hours to make. For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please check out the blog sidebars.  These news feeds are updated daily. Opinions expressed in this blog are mine unless otherwise stated. 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://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftBthATNdcg. If you have some space and feel a bit adventuresome, check out this high performance DX antenna using a parafoil kite.  In this video, Stan Gibilisco (W1GV) explains the theory, design, construction, and use behind this somewhat unusual antenna. Stan used a parafoil kite-supported 4 wavelengths long wire antenna on 7 MHz to attain reception that measured S9 +30dB. With a suitable ground system and a wide range antenna transmatch (i.e. "tuner") and balun, you could transmit a strong, low-angle signal from 80 meters to 10 meters. This could be an interesting antenna for the annual ARRL Field Day. For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please check out the blog sidebars.  These news feeds are updated daily. Opinions expressed in this blog are mine unless otherwise stated. Thanks for joining us today! Aloh

If you're having difficulty in viewing this video, please insert this title link into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwYSS335wZw. One of the classic multiband HF antennas you should try is the "Zepp" or "Zeppelin" antenna, which was once used on those huge German airships of the 1920s and 1930s.  In this video, Stan Gibilisco (W1GV) explains the theory, design, and construction of this antenna.  He also compares the "Zepp" to other half-wavelength antennas, such as the half-wave dipole. A good, basic introduction to an antenna that is still used today. For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, 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://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpxLATs0FIo. Nicely-done, easily understood video from John Saunders (VK4BZ).  John discusses simple, effective antenna systems for portable amateur radio operations, especially those involved in the SOTA (Summits On the Air) program.  John offers some valuable suggestions on how to build light-weight, inexpensive antennas for SOTA and other portable operations.  Some of these ideas could be useful for radio amateurs living in HOA/CC&R controlled homes or apartments. For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please check out the blog sidebars.  These news feeds are updated daily. Opinions expressed in this blog are mine unless otherwise stated. Thanks for joining us today! Aloha es 73 de Russ (KH6JRM).

you If you're having trouble viewing this video, please insert this title link into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WSmuDFWJcK. A good video presentation of a Lazy H Antenna that covers 13 MHz to 30 MHz, including the 27 MHz Citizen's band.  The video also offers some valuable tips on how to configure the 450 ohm ladder line used as a balanced feed line.  This video recommends using an external 4:1 current balun with your antenna transmatch (i.e. "tuner") to get multiband capability.  You may need some help in erecting this antenna, but the effort will be worth it in the modest gain you get from the Lazy H. This is post #841 in a continuing series of articles and videos discussing amateur radio antennas. For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please check out the blog sidebars.  These news feeds are updated daily. Opinions expressed in this blog are mine unless otherwise stated. Thanks for joining us today! Aloha es 73