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K8ZT

This document discusses the 10 worst antennas for amateur radio use. It begins by stating that having no antenna or an unassembled/uninstalled antenna are among the worst. Other poor choices include improperly assembled antennas, antennas installed incorrectly or with poor feedline, antennas without necessary components like counterpoises, and antennas in disrepair. The document provides tips on how to select and set up antennas properly, including keeping designs simple, choosing antennas suited to the intended frequency ranges and location, and maintaining equipment. Resources for portable operating and beginner guides are also referenced.

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Francisco Quaranta
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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32 views26 pages

K8ZT

This document discusses the 10 worst antennas for amateur radio use. It begins by stating that having no antenna or an unassembled/uninstalled antenna are among the worst. Other poor choices include improperly assembled antennas, antennas installed incorrectly or with poor feedline, antennas without necessary components like counterpoises, and antennas in disrepair. The document provides tips on how to select and set up antennas properly, including keeping designs simple, choosing antennas suited to the intended frequency ranges and location, and maintaining equipment. Resources for portable operating and beginner guides are also referenced.

Uploaded by

Francisco Quaranta
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 26

10 Worst

Antennas
Anthony Luscre, K8ZT
Contact Information
● Email- [email protected]
● Website- www.k8zt.com
Many slides & links, so you’re probably
going to want to review Today’s
Presentation
View & access links in this slide show at

tiny.cc/worst-ant 🔗

If you need a PDF copy click here


Worst Antennas- NONE
1. No Antenna
2. Antenna still in Package or
Unassembled
3. Antenna Assembled, but Not
Installed
Worst Antennas- TRY AGAIN
4. Antenna
Improperly
Assembled or
Too Complicated
Worst Antennas- TRY AGAIN
5. Antenna Improperly Installed
and/or poor feedline
6. Antenna (that requires
counterpoise) without one
Worst Antennas- NEED MORE
7. No
Antenna for
a desired band
Worst Antennas- NEED MORE
8. Wrong Take Off Angle for
target geographic area
9. No back up antenna in a
portable/field operation (see
"Two is One and One is None" in
Portable Operations presentation)
Worst Antennas- GOOD, GONE BAD
10. Antenna ready to
fall down soon-
damaged, abused coax, worn or bad
hardware, worn or bad support
structure, no or worn weatherproofing,
no maintenance, etc.
How Can I Make It Better
● Let me count the ways…
1. Get a least one antenna up and working;
you can always upgraded it later. A simple
dipole or endfed wire can be easy
inexpensive starting points
How Can I Make It Better
● Let me count the ways
2. Take time to properly…
■ Assemble according to directions
■ Tune the antenna (remember tuning may
change drastically at different heights or
locations and retuning may be necessary)
How Can I Make It Better
● Let me count the ways
3. KISS- Keep It Simple Sam
■ Simple wire antennas
■ Single Band Antennas
■ Avoid complex designs
■ Avoid severe compromises
Simple HF Dipole Wire Antennas
● Simple HF Dipole Antenna

● Link 1
● Link 2 ● Can also be set up in the form
of an Inverted V to save space
and use one support 13
How Can I Make It Better
4. Avoid “Black Boxes”, Antennas
with Excess Superlatives, Miracles,
etc.
How Can I Make It Better
4. Yes, you can make contacts with them, but you
can also make contacts with tuned shopping
carts, rain gutters, light bulbs, etc.
○ “Light Bulb Antenna Basics & FAQ”
by David Day- link
○ “Loading up a wet noodle
and more…” by VA3OSO
Youtube
How Can I Make It Better
5. Unfortunately the Antenna literature
is filled with subjective (and useless)
statements-
○ “I worked Slovenia with my first contact”
○ “He gave me a 59 with only 5 watts”
○ “It worked better than XYZ that I used last year”
How Can I Make It Better
6. If length of antenna is impractical for
your property think…
○ Zigging & Zagging
○ Inverted “V”
○ Delta Loops
■ Link 1
■ Link 2
How Can I Make It Better
7. If possible get your antenna… Band
(Meters)
Mid- Recommended
Band Frq Dipole Height (ft)

○ Outside 6
10
52.00
28.85
9.5
17.1
○ Away from other antennas and 12 24.94 19.7
metal objects 17
15
21.23
18.12
23.2
27.2
○ At or near recommended height 20 14.23 34.6

■ For best results, dipoles should 30


40
10.13
7.15
48.6
68.8
be at least 1/2 wavelength 80 3.75 131.2
above ground level 160 1.90 258.9
How Can I Make It Better
8. If recommended height is
impractical think…
○ Inverted “V”
○ Verticals (with proper counterpoise/radials)
○ Inverted “L” (especially on low bands 80/160)
○ Delta Loop
Portable Operations
● Antenna restrictions at home, try portable!
● Like to mix AR with other outdoor activities
● AR Activities- DXpedition, SOTA, POTA, IOTA, etc.
● Special Events
● Portable Operations-
tiny.cc/portop 🔗
Antenna Chart
● Antenna Ideas,
Comparisons &
Resources-
tiny.cc/portant 🔗
Resources for Successful Operating
● Sometimes it’s not the Antenna’s Fault!

tiny.cc/ tiny.cc/ tiny.cc/


r-r-d 🔗success-op 🔗 ham50 🔗
Beginner’s Guide to HF Operations
● “Beginner’s Guide to HF Operations” a
three-part Video Series
○ Week 1🔗- The HF Bands, Operating & Making Contacts
○ Week 2🔗- Equipment & Antennas
○ Week 3🔗- Putting It All Together
○ Slideshow🔗 of presentations,
including clickable links &
resources
Questions / Comments ?
View this slideshow and access
all resources links at
tiny.cc/worst-ant🔗
If you need a PDF copy click here
Contact Information
● Email- [email protected]
● Website- www.k8zt.com
Presentations
● If your club is interested in
a online presentation I am
currently offering multiple
options, for a list visit
tiny.cc/k8zt-p🔗
● Email me if interested
[email protected]

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