Ham Radio Tech: Linear Loading—Long Wire in a Short Space
For some amateur radio operators, putting up a full-length HF dipole is not always feasible. With today’s postage-stamp-sized lots, some hams can only dream of installing a dipole for 80 […]
An Amateur Radio Blog by DX Engineering Antenna Tech
Antenna Tech
Antenna Tech
Ham Radio Tech: Ground Planes, Gains, and Automobiles—Insights on Mounting Mobile Antennas on Your Vehicle
The best mobile antenna money can buy isn’t any better than the ground plane it is mounted over. Remember the basic dipole—it needs two elements to be complete. Your vertical […]
Antenna Tech
Resonant and Non-Resonant Amateur Radio Antennas–Which is Better?
When it comes to ham radio, choosing the right antenna is one of the most important decisions an operator will make. There are dozens, if not hundreds, of varieties: Yagis, […]
Antenna Tech / HAM Radio 101
How Should I Attach a Ham Radio Antenna to My Vehicle?
This is one of the most frequently asked questions the team at DX Engineering receives when helping customers find the best solution for installing a mobile radio (transceiver) in their […]
Antenna Tech
Ham Radio Tech: Guide to Building an Effective Dipole Antenna (& Answers to Common Dipole Questions)
Since the early days of radio, dipoles have been the go-to antennas for hams. They’re effective, inexpensive, and simple to make. But there’s more to building and installing one than […]
Antenna Tech
Ham Radio Tech: J-Pole Antennas—More than You Probably Wanted to Know
Copper Cactus. Steampunk Stick. Slim Jim. Whatever you call it, the J-pole antenna is a reliable alternative to verticals and ground planes for VHF/UHF communication. Due to their simple construction, […]
Antenna Tech
Why Horizontal Dipoles Can Make an Excellent Antenna Option for Your Ham Radio Station
The world of ham radio is filled with in-depth specs and technical jargon that could make an average person’s head explode. Folks just starting out in amateur radio may fall […]
Antenna Tech
Ham Radio 101: I Want a New Duck—Tips on Upgrading Your HT’s Antenna
Open the box of a new handheld radio and you’ll find the usual stuff—the radio, battery, charger, belt clip, “rubber duck” antenna, and instruction manual. Looking at rubber ducks from […]
Antenna Tech
Ham Radio Tech: Choosing a Portable Vertical Antenna that Matches Your Needs
Whether you’re a seasoned ham or buying your first antenna, choosing the right one is more about how you operate as an individual and less about the antenna’s capabilities. In […]
Antenna Tech / HAM Radio 101
Ham Radio 101: A Few Basic Tips on Building Wire Dipoles
Single-band wire dipoles are one of the easiest antennas to make. But just because they are easy to make doesn’t mean they do not work well. In fact, single-band wire […]
