Tag: Amateur Radio Antennas

DIY Cobra Antenna-perfect for HOA

If you can’t deploy a full-sized HF dipole antenna, please try this “Cobra Antenna” from Chuck (KK6UDY).

The antenna is a linear loaded system used to shrink the total antenna length while preserving basic dipole performance.  The antenna is designed to fit into small urban spaces, such as a small backyard or garden.

Those living in deed-restricted properties (HOAs and CC&Rs) may find this antenna suitable for their operations.

If you can’t see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTLaNbeL470.

Thanks for joining us today.

Russ Roberts (KH6JRM/AL0HA).

Here are some comments from Chuck (KK6USY):

In this video I make a version of M0PZT’s Cobra antenna that is a bit more portable. This is a 80m Linear-Loaded Doublet that is only 40′ long. I need to do more testing and get the antenna higher to see if it improves the efficiency. Below I will list parts needed for the build. M0PZT-https://www.m0pzt.com/80m-cobra-doublet/ As an Amazon Affiliate I may earn a commission at no cost to the buyer. Wire BNTECHGO 24 Gauge Silicone Ribbon Cable, https://amzn.to/3KUBnF4 Mastrant-P Braided Rope, https://amzn.to/4o4L1Uj Button Head Socket Cap Screws, https://amzn.to/3W5WUgx #8 Bolt Ring Terminals, https://amzn.to/3WLJ4zW Heat Shrink Tubing 3:1, https://amzn.to/4os8puT HANDY TOOLS– 4V Cordless Stick Screwdriver , https://amzn.to/4nNZHHe Helping Hands Soldering Station with Heavy-Duty , https://amzn.to/47hLxqX Kaisi Helping Hands Soldering Station, https://amzn.to/4nt2Mf7 Titanium Step Drill Bit Set, https://amzn.to/4n7xdqE KATA 5-Pack Micro Wire Cutters, https://amzn.to/43dok80 DX Engineering, https://static.dxengineering.com/glob…. #hoa , #antenna , #hamradios
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KK6USY Ham Radio Adventures

19.9K subscribers

Simple 2-element vertical antenna

Here’s a simple way to increase the gain of your vertical antenna.

In this video, Tim (K5OHY) shows us how to build and mount a 2-element 20 meter band vertical antenna on a wooden fence.  According to Time, this configuration produces a moderate 2.9 dBi gain over a single 1/4 wave vertical antenna.

Tim gives us a list of basic materials and procedures needed to complete this easy-to-do project.

If you can’t see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1LPNPDIxvA.

Thanks for joining us today.

Russ Roberts (KH6JRM/AL0HA).

Here are some comments from Tim (K5OHY).

Here is an update with more information on this parasitic array:    • 2 Element Quarterwave Array: 2.9dB over Si…   This is a simple 2-element 1/4 vertical using a parasitic director. CW portion of 20m: Driven Element: ~17 ft resonant at 14.05 MHz. Director: ~16.2 ft tuned to 14.75 MHz (5% higher) Radials: Two per element, 16.5 ft Spacing: 10.5 ft (3.20 m) ≈ 0.15λ at 14.05 MHz
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Tim – K5OHY

4.69K subscribers

32:41
2 Element Quarterwave Array: 2.9dB over Single PERformer!
by Tim – K5OHY

Video details

Date

Jul 21, 2025

Views
4,700
Likes
195

Simple and effective vertical antenna for 10M to 160M

Thanks to William Brenner (N4WRB) for this simple, effective vertical antenna for 10M to 160M.

The antenna system consists of selected Chameleon products, such as the Chameleon URT 1 tuner, Chameleon SS25 telescoping mast, and the Chameleon Capacitiance Hat.

If you can’t make the Chameleon price point, you can build your own from materials found locally or through other online vendors.

The antenna performs well, considering its small size and footprint.

If you can’t see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpzramygR8o.

Thanks for joining us today.

Russ Roberts (KH6JRM/AL0HA).

Here are some comments from William (N4WRB):

Here I show the antenna that I’ve been using for a while. It consists of a Chameleon URT1 tuner, a Chameleon SS25 telescoping whip, and a Chameleon Capacitance Hat. The URT1 is modified so that the whip can screw directly onto it. The setup can be modified further so it can be easily mounted directly to a tripod. In the video I show the ability for the antenna to tune as well as the locations in the world I’ve been able to access using this setup. CHA URT1 https://chameleonantenna.com/collecti… CHA SS25 https://chameleonantenna.com/products… CHA CAP HAT https://chameleonantenna.com/products… 3/8 by 24 Stainless Screw: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004S6L7MW?… 3/8 by 24 Stainless Stud: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B019HTB2MO?… 3/8 by 24 Coupler: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D4QVKP99?…

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William Benner

1.86K subscribers

Video details

Date

Nov 30, 2024

Views
22,199
Likes
397

Vertical on the Gutter

Here’s another fascinating HF antenna for those with limited operating space.

In this video, Australian radio amateur Peter Parker (VK3YE) uses a “slim HF whip on a gutter or balcony” to get on the air.

You can build this antenna with locally available parts, so your expenses will be minimal.

If you can’t see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skxHGBpCesE.

Thanks for joining us today.

Russ Roberts (KH6JRM/AL0HA).

Here are some comments from Peter (VK3YE):

In a location where you can’t put up a highly visible antenna for HF? A slim HF whip on a gutter or balcony can be your key to some form of HF activity. In this video I construct a quick to make 1.5m long loaded vertical and try for some FT8 DX contacts. PS: If you liked this video please consider supporting Amateur Radio VK3YE by: Subscribing on YouTube Checking my books page at https://books.vk3ye.com Shopping on Amazon via: https://amzn.to/3iiDQXv, or Shopping on eBay via: https://ebay.us/i9DuWP (then if you buy something I’ll get a small commission at no cost to you)
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Amateur Radio VK3YE

30.3K subscribers

The Shadow Slot Antenna

In this video, Josh Nass (KI6NAZ) calls the “Shadow Slot Antennas” one of the “coolest VHF/UHF antenna(s) I have seen in a long time!”

This antenna is a low-profile system that is perfect for “stealthy” operations for Amateur Radio, GMRS, and MURS.

This unconventional antenna is perfect for HOAs or other deed-restricted areas.

If you can’t see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQ4To_y3Ors.

Thanks for joining us today.

Russ (KH6JRM/AL0HA).

Here are some comments from Josh (KI6NAZ):

The Shadow Slot is a new low profile antenna that will work with Aamteur, GMRS, & MURS frequencies. You can find it here: https://vfcomms.com/products/shadow-s… thanks ‪@VE6SFX_HamRadioRookie‬ ! Is the Shadow Slot vertical or horizontally polarized?    • How a Slot Antenna Works | Shadow Slot Exp…   My intro to Amateur Radio pamphlet is here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/1260157… The Coolest Ham Radio Gear: As an Amazon Affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases ————————————————————————————————————————— 📻 My new favorite beginners Radio – Baofeng Mini: https://www.radioddity.com/products/b… 📡 My Big List of No-Regret Gear: https://amzn.to/415oY6s 📡 You can get $10 off the VGC VN-N76 using the code “josh” here: https://www.verotelecom.com/VR-N76-Du… $15 off at Radioddity when you use the code JOSHNASS https://www.radioddity.com/?ref=bkobuwhc 📡 My Favorite ham radio portable gear items! Check out Gigaparts for 2x the points off the gear I use the most! https://www.gigaparts.com/nsearch/?lp… 📡 My favorite Handheld radio antenna is from Signal Stuff Signal Stick https://signalstuff.com/?ref=622 (This is an affliate link) 📡 I recommend the Ed Fong J-Pole? https://www.kbcubed.com/DBJ-2H-Amateu… 📡 Check out Radioddity ham radio radios $15.00 off Coupon code: JOSHNASS https://www.radioddity.com/?ref=bkobuwhc 📡 Great Value HTs: HTs: https://www.buytwowayradios.com/?cmid… 📡 Chameleon Antennas make the most robust antennas on the market, check them out here: https://chameleonantenna.com?bg_ref=9… 📻 Support Ham Radio Crash Course Content 📻 ———————————————————————— Patreon –   / hoshnasi   (includes monthly newsletter, stickers and Patron perks) 📸YouTube –    / hamradiocrashcourse   (includes early access to videos, membership YT badge and custom emojis) Shop HamTactical: http://www.hamtactical.com Shop Our Affiliates: http://hamradiocrashcourse.com/affili… Shop Our Amazon Store: https://www.amazon.com/shop/hamradioc… As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. ★ FOLLOW ME HERE ★ 🪩 Website http://hamradiocrashcourse.com 📸 YouTube    / hamradiocrashcourse   💻 Twitch   / hamradiocrashcourse   Podcast https://hamradiocrashcourse.podbean.com/ 💻 Discord   / discord   📸 Facebook https://goo.gl/cv5rEQ 📸 Twitter https://X.com/Hoshnasi 📸 Instagram   / hamradiocrashcourse   📨 Physical Mail Josh Nass P.O Box 5101 Cerritos, CA 90703-5101 Music by Sonic D: Soundcloud.com/sncd Twitter.com/sncd Facebook.com/djsonicd #HRCC #hamradio #amateurradio
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Ham Radio Crash Course

434K subscribers

Video details

Date

Oct 13, 2026

Views
41,328
Likes
812

How to make an easy antenna from scrap wire and parts you may have

If you had to make an emergency antenna with only a few parts you had on hand, could you do it?

That was the issue facing Chuck (KK6USY) on a recent motorcycle trip.

In this video, Chuck shows us how he made a simple, effective antenna from parts he found during his trip.

Depending on what you find in your “junk box”, the cost of a new antenna may be minimal–just use your imagination to save some money, while learning to assemble an antenna from “scratch.”

If you can’t see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box:  https://youtu.be/gWes1PsX6HQ?si=77KF_hP0kHuLaffl.

Thanks for joining us today.

Russ (KH6JRM/AL0HA).

Here are some comments from Chuck (KK6USY):

In this video I show a quick and easy antenna I made for a trip that was in a tight camping area. Coffee and Ham Radios site, https://coffeeandhamradios.com/ Toads discord,   / discord   As an Amazon Affiliate I may earn a commission at no cost to customer. BNTECHGO 20 Gauge Silicone Wire Spool 100 ft , https://amzn.to/4dypbSV BNC Female to Dual Banana Binding Post, https://amzn.to/3XPDX1Q BNC Male Plug to Dual Banana Binding Post, https://amzn.to/3Y5wSvF Micro Flush Cutters with Spring, https://amzn.to/3BrEW0K #hamradio ,#antenna , #diy

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KK6USY Ham Radio Adventures

19.8K subscribers

Video details

Date

Sep 30, 2024

Views
5,463
Likes
152