Simple Ham Radio Antennas

If you're designing and building a quarter-wave vertical antenna, you'll find this calculator a handy, useful tool for your next project. Views expressed in this post are those of the reporters and correspondents.  Accessed on 13 October 2026, 1447 UTC. Content and source:  "Vertical Antenna Calculator." https://www.66pacific.com/calculators/quarter-wave-vertical-antenna-calculator.aspx Please check URL or scroll down to read your selections.  Thanks for joining us today. Russ Roberts (KH6JRM/AL0HA). https://arrlnewshawaii.blogspot.com. https://simplehamradioantennas.blogspot.com. Quarter-Wave Vertical Antenna Length Calculator A quarter-wavelength antenna is easy and inexpensive to build and can be an effective antenna with a low angle of radiation (that is, power is radiated out, not up). The formula for calculating the approximate length of a quarter-wave vertical antenna is: Quarter-wavelength in feet: 234 / frequency in MHz Quarter-wavelength in meters: 71.5 / fr...

  Not every antenna project is successful. In this video, James (M0GQC) tries to modify his original 80 meter band antenna so it works "from a suburb mid-terrace" home. While his "terminated inverted u antenna" is a vast improvement over his previous design, it still lacks the performance he wants. I've run into similar issues trying to fit an 80 meter band antenna on my small rental property.  I finally opted for small helically-loaded vertical antenna to overcome severe space problems.  Not ideal, but I can get on the air. If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52Adh7xy8ns. Thanks for joining us today. Russ (KH6JRM/AL0HA). Here are some comments from James (M0GQC): I wanted to get on 80m, so decided to experiment. My first attempt was unsuccessful, so this was my second (somewhat more successful) attempt. See the Cross Country Wireless website for more details of the Terminat...

  Radio amateurs living in deed-restricted housing will find this antenna interesting. In this video, Peter Waters (G3OJV) builds a simple 20 meter band vertical antenna that is nearly "invisible".  The heart of this HF vertical is a compact helically-wound mobile whip and a few readily available accessories.   The antenna occupies a small footprint and is easy to deploy and take down. If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AylFuE9nAo. Thanks for joining us today. Russ (KH6JRM/AL0HA). Here are some comments from Peter (G3OJV): Antenna restrictions are a major problem for many ham radio operators. Hiding the antenna away can have a big effect on radiation efficiency. Here, Peter G3OJV, describes one method that results in a very effective 20m DX antenna that requires no planning permission. It could get you back on the air so that you can join in the fun once again. Ampro An...