[KL7AA] Getting Started on HF - Looking for Antennas

Wed Jul 23 09:03:07 EDT 2014

Never overlook the ability and simplicity of a dipole antenna.  Supported with fishing line,  40 and 80 meters stealth antennas are quite capable. Survey your possibilities for dipole support structures. careful of the power lines.  

Jim Wiley <jwiley at gci.net> wrote:

>
>Adam -
>
>There are many aspects to ham radio, and all sorts of different 
>interests.  Probably the most interesting HF bands for general amateur 
>usage in the Anchorage area are the 80(75), 40, and 20 meter bands.  
>However,  you indicate that you are an apartment dweller, and that tends 
>to limit your antenna choices.  The 17, 15, 12 and 10 meter bands are 
>also useful, and require relatively small antennas, but the higher 
>frequency bands are not "open" as much as the 20 meter band.  The 17 and 
>15 meter bands are probably good options, 10 and 12 meters not so much.
>
>The first thing to keep in mind is that there is no inherent advantage 
>to a manufactured antenna.  Antennas that you build yourself can and do 
>work just as well as "store bought" antennas. Antennas that you can 
>erect temporarily, for example at a campground, tend to be inexpensive 
>and simple in design.  Much of what can be accomplished will depend on 
>the "Gods of Propagation" - in other words, on some days you can make 
>successful contacts with very little, and other days even the best and 
>most complicated systems won't get you very far.
>
>So, you need to find out how to determine when conditions are good and 
>when they are not.   A popular web-site for this is found at 
>*http://www.spaceweather.com/*
>
>click on the highlighted text above and you will be taken to their 
>website.  On the left side of the page is a propagation summary.  In 
>general, higher sunspot numbers indicate better propagation, a less 
>brilliant (more yellow and fainter) auroral circle is good, a bright red 
>circle is bad.  Smaller "K" numbers are better, and higher solar flux is 
>better.
>
>Good results (not necessarily world-beating, but certainly usable) can 
>be obtained with simple antennas.  Probably the easiest antenna for 20 
>meters (and 17 and 15 meters too) is a sloping dipole, hung from a tree 
>or other available support.  The length of the antenna will depend on 
>the band in use.  A 20 meter antenna will be about 33 feet from end to 
>end, while a 17-meter antenna is about 26 feet long, and a 15 meter 
>antenna is about 22 feet long (end to end)
>
>Try to get the center of the antenna reasonably high, at least 20 feet  
>if you can, and try to install it so it is "in the clear" - which means 
>away from buildings and metal structures.
>
>Such an antenna can be connected to your radio by a length of "coaxial" 
>cable.  There are various types of coaxial cables available.  A suitable 
>choice for low to medium power use (up to perhaps 200 watts) is known by 
>the type number RG-58.  For higher power use, RG-8 is better.  Each of 
>these cables comes in a number of different sub-types, and some 
>discussion will help you decide which is best.
>
>Antennas for other bands can be of similar configuration.  You can also 
>experiment with various types of directional antennas and multi-band 
>systems.  Some multi-band antennas can be built that cover all of the HF 
>bands at one time, but such antennas require some skill to use 
>correctly, and additional hardware is needed  - in the form of an 
>"antenna coupling unit" - sometimes called an antenna tuner.
>
>The entire topic of antennas and HF operating is complex to say the 
>least, and it would help you to have someone to call on when you have 
>questions.  It will also help if you have a couple of basic reference 
>books, and some simple test equipment.  I can advise you in these 
>issues, and would be willing to assist you via email or on the telephone.
>
>As far as a rig is concerned, there are several good choices.  There are 
>some excellent kit radios out there, and carefully shopping among the 
>used radio market can produce a good set for not much cash.  The Yaesu 
>FFT-817 you mention is a good set,. but you may be able to find 
>something significantly better with a bit of looking. All this will 
>depend on your budget and to some degree your technical skills.  Again, 
>I would be able to offer some suggestions once I know better where you 
>are headed.
>
>You can reach me by telephone at 688-0660, and of course by email. My 
>direct email addresses are either jwiley at gci.net or kl7cc at arrl.net   .
>
>My hours are flexible, so don't worry too much about when you call, 
>except try to keep it between 9:00 AM and 11:00 PM.
>
>- Jim, KL7CC
>
>
>
>On 7/22/2014 8:45 PM, Adam Booth wrote:
>> Hello! I am just getting started in HF.  I am currently working on my 
>> General so I won't be transmitting but I am more of a listener than a 
>> talker anyhow.  It seems like a good place to start is maybe the 20M 
>> band.  Are there any bands that you would recommend for a beginner?  I 
>> don't yet have the cables to work digital but I would like to try that 
>> in the future as well.  I am also looking for any apartment-friendly 
>> 20M or other HF antennas for sale -- I know that finding an 
>> apartment-friendly HF antenna might be a tough find so I would also be 
>> interested in something I could set up outside temporarily and I could 
>> work outside during the summer, I'm thinking of maybe setting up in 
>> Kincaid Park or somewhere higher up. If anyone has any recommendations 
>> or HF antennas for sale, I would be very interested.  I'm also 
>> interested in any and all Yaesu FT-817 (non-ND, although I think ND 
>> accessories would be compatible) accessories up for sale. ThanksAdam B 
>> KL3TX
>
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