Amateur Radio Blog
End fed antennas are especially popular among ham radio operators—and for good reason. They work on multiple bands, are affordable, easy to build yourself, and quite forgiving when not perfectly installed. However, many amateurs fail to get the most out of their EndFed. The reason? It all comes down to Continue reading Boost Your End Fed Antenna with Proper Counterpoise
When you want to transmit on different frequencies but only have the option to set up a vertical antenna, there are quite a few options. For instance, there are multiband vertical antennas with electrical adjustments using coils and capacitors. These tune the antenna to specific frequencies. A less common approach Continue reading How to get started with a remote antenne tuner
It’s one of the most frequently asked questions on forums, in Facebook groups, and at gatherings: Which coaxial cable is best for my antenna installation? The answer is that many types of coaxial cables are good by default; it just depends on what you expect from them. Do you want Continue reading Which coaxial cable should I choose?
One of my long-term experiments involves receiving on HF. Transmitting on these bands works well with a Cobweb antenna for 10m to 20m and a wire with a CG-3000 automatic tuner for 30m to 160m. Reception in my densely populated area on the lower bands is challenging, often facing up Continue reading Reception comparison: vertical vs. horizontal loop
If you are a radio amateur or wish to become one, and local regulations do not allow you to place antennas outside your home, don’t panic, because there are several solutions. There are stealth antennas, of which the flagpole and metal gutter are perhaps the best known. But even if Continue reading Tips for ham radio antennas in an attic
In September 2023, I wrote a review about the 7-band Cobweb antenna manufactured by AWK in Poland. This symmetrical, or balanced, antenna is fed with asymmetrical, or unbalanced, coaxial cable. To prevent the coaxial cable from becoming an active part of the antenna, it is necessary to place a 1:1 Continue reading Replacing the 1:1 balun for a better performing Cobweb antenna
It’s perhaps the most frequently asked question by novice amateur radio operators. I passed my exam, obtained my license, and now I need advice on what equipment I need to acquire. In this article, I’ll create a kind of shopping list for you to get started. Listen to this article Continue reading Chosing ham radio equipment as a newbie
Past few years I have been building common mode chokes, 1:1 baluns aka 1:1 ununs on request. One of the questions asked by fellow hams is where to install it, which depends on the type of antenna. Then the ‘counterpoise’ enters the story and why certain antennas need one. So Continue reading Why does an antenna require a counterpoise?
The space available for an HF antenna at my location is very limited. The plot where I live is only 5 meters wide. If you want an HF antenna that covers the 20, 17, 15, 12, and 10-meter bands, you quickly end up with an antenna like a Cobweb. I Continue reading Review of the 7-band AWK Cobweb antenna
It seems like some kind of magic object, the 1:1 balun. Some say it can solve many antenna problems. It could turn a bad SWR into a good SWR. Increase antenne bandwith. Reduce interference in reception. Prevent RFI that causes interference to electrical devices at your neighbors and your own Continue reading Why does an antenna need a 1:1 balun?
You often hear about it and it is a hot topic on forums, repeaters and club gatherings. I have interference (RFI) on my equipment or that of my neighbors caused by my own radio signal. What can I do about it? First of all, the best strategy is to tackle Continue reading How to prevent RFI caused by EndFed, vertical and dipole antennas
Because of the very limited space for antenna placement, 20 square meters at most, I have experimented a lot with different antennas for transmitting and receiving over the past few years. Most important for me is the performance on the 10 meter to 20 meter band. For those bands, I Continue reading The Cobweb vs Rybakov vertical antenna part 1