Ham Radio Antenna Types - A Brief Rundown

Any corrections to my views are greatly appreciated.


There are Horizontally or vertically polarized antennas. The RF patterns of these are perpendicular to one another.


There are Wires, and there are antennas constructed from tubing made from a variety of electrically conductive materials.


Wires are called names like dipoles, doublets, G5RVs, bazookas, loops, and others. Wires when strung out horizontally to the ground are considered to be horizontally polarized. Wires that are suspended in the shape of an inverted “V” have a more vertically polarization. Loops in many instances are horizontal.


Antennas made from tubing don’t necessarily have categorical subtypes except for Beams. However, tubing is used to build vertical HF antennas such as the “Butternut” and the “IMAX 2000”. I’ve seen copper tubing, as well as steel whips used to build J-Poles for UHF and VHF radios.


People say that vertical antennas have a more narrow RF takeoff angle, so they are well suited in many cases for DX (out of country) contacts. Horizontal/Vertical beams however have the advantage of being able to concentrate a signal toward a source, to hear that source better, all while decreasing the interference of signals coming from the sides of the antenna.


Vertical antennas are Omnidirectional. This means they transmit in all directions. Horizontal wires and beams are “directional” antennas.


To view my antennas, use the link in my sidebar.

 If you’d like to add any information, or change any of my comments, leave me a comment. And, by all means, please sign my guestbook.

What I get to do with my Ham Radio Hobby

I get to talk to people all over the world! I have monitored important information on ham radio before television news sources picked up on them. I related information pertaining to a Father John in Haiti following the terrible earthquake.

I called for stations inside the earthquake zone incase they needed help within the area.


I get to participate in Skywarn networks to pass information related to severe weather to the national weather service so they can compare their forcast with actual weather conditions. I have helped protect life and property by getting help to storm affected areas.

Each week, I participate in an Amateur Radio Emergency Services Net. These nets keeps us practiced for emergency situations. I also serve as the net control station (NCS) for the 5th region traffic net. This net takes in station throughout the deep south. AL, AR, North Florida, LA, MS, OK, TN, North TX, South TX, and West TX. This net passes traffic (messages) via the National Traffic System (NTS), into, out of, and throughout the 5th region.

I get to participate in ham radio contests that let me improve my communication skills and have fun making contacts with stations that are literally, on the other side of the world with only 100 watts!


I get to play with different modes of communication too: morse code, PSK31, Dstar, to name a few.

I get to help out with special event stations. Last fall, we set up with the traveling Vietnam memorial wall and provided communications for as volunteers, for the museum staff where the event was taking place. We are encouraged to be visible and be involved as a community public safety asset aligned with other public safety services such as Sheriff and fire departments.


In fact, we’ve participated in the Monroe Public Safety Expo for the past 3 years.


Some people backpack HF radios to plateaus of mountains to make QRP (low power) contacts.


As you can see, I do a lot of stuff because of ham radio. I am not alone either. One thing about ham radio I haven’t really spoke of is the people. Hams are wonderful people who know how to be respectful and have a good time. I now have good friends who are hams, because of ham radio.


Tell me about your ham hobby. What do you get to do? Leave a comment, or sign my guestbook please.


Thank you for visiting.

ARRL Audio News (on iTunes) is Great for Blind Hams

From the ARRL news desk 01/06/2011
The ARRL Audio News is once again available through iTunes, beginning today. You can find the URL for the Audio News’ RSS feed here. To download and subscribe to the Audio News at iTunes, log into your iTunes account and go to the “Advanced” pull-down menu. Click on “Subscribe to Podcast,” insert http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/audio/aan.rss in the dialogue box and click “Okay.” You are now subscribed! Read More...

On the Freewheeler’s net, we had a record 102 check-ins on New Year’s eve night. KC0MQS called the net;, and despite some loud static crashes, he managed to call in 102 check-ins.


At midnight, KE5GGY joined in to add to the great new year wishes, and everyone had a great time ringing in the new year.


We held the net on 3.916 Mhz, and it lasted until around 1:30am central time.


This was a great net. Everyone who checked in was respectful and operated with good amateur radio practice.


If you didn’t participate, the freewheelers operate every night except Saturday from 10:00pm to about 12:30 pm central time.


There is a different NCS each night. Monday it is Tom W5CCT, Tuesday it is KI4BIY, BILL. Wednesday, it is Jim, KC0MQS Thursday we have WA4YPN, and Friday we have Kurt, AB0UA. Sunday it is K9VDO, Jim who calls the net.


We have a great time.
Each NCS does a great job, and when you check in for the first time, you get a welcome like you won’t get any where else.


This is how the net works: You can get your self checked
by tossing your callsign in when checkins are asked for.

Also, there is a internet check in list. If y9ou want to participat on hf with the freewheelers you have to go to yahoo groups. Search “Freewheelersnet”. Then use your call sign when you register.

After doing this, after your call is accepted, you can click on “database”, then “check-in list”. Then click “Add Record”.


Then you put short time (S) or full time (W).  Put in your call sign, your name, state, comment, and day. This is self explanatory.

Net control will call each checked in callsign; first from the internet checkin list. When he hits the bottom of the list, he'll ask for checkins. 

Then, he'll call each of those one at a time.  When it's your turn, you can make your comments. 

You can say what's on your mind.  What you had for supper, talk about hunting, what ever you want.  We don't discuss politics or religion to avoid points of contention and arguements.

Usually, the NCS will take the short timers first, then the full timers.  The full timers will get to make a round or two, and a 73 round.

Here it is, Saturday night. I’ve been drinking wiskey. I’m feeling pretty good right now.

ARRL: IBEC Broadband over Power Line (BPL) Systems Interference Violates FCC Rules

From the ARRL news desk:

ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio has filed a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission documenting ongoing harmful interference and egregious rules violations by Broadband over Power Lines (BPL) systems installed by IBEC, Inc. in Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Indiana. ...Full Story

My comments:

The ARRL is doing a good job protecting the interests of amateurs across the nation.  It is important that we hams through organizational support of this institution continue to hold the FCC's feet to the fire when it comes to enforcing its rules.

Thanks to the ARRL for doing this in our interest.  Although I don't live in any of the states this complaint addresses, I know that if the FCC gives an inch, the businesses will take a mile!

Northeast Louisiana Regional Ham Radio Fest - 2011

Louisiana State ARRL Convention


Come join us on Saturday, April 23rd, 2011 for one of the premier Hamfests in the region. Meet friends, enjoy great food, see the latest equipment, attend informative forums, or find a great flea market deal!


Take I-20 (Exit 120) then East on Frontage Road just past Sam’s Club aprox. 1 mile.
Look for the Barak Shrine Temple on right.


Dealers & Vendors Include:

• Signman of Baton Rouge

• Palmetto Antennas

• More to be announced soon

Forums. . .

• Louisiana Contest Club 10:00 AM

• ARRL State Convention, 11:00AM

Guest: Dan Henderson, N1ND (Regulatory Information Manager)

Hamfest Grand Prizes . Must have a Amateur License to win Grand Prizes

1st prize: Icom IC 718 HF Rig

2nd prize: Yaesu FT 7900R Dual Band FM Mobile

3rd prize: MFJ 259B Antenna Analyzer

Lots of Door prizes

Doors open at 8:00 AM on Saturday, set-up for vendors and flea market on Friday, from 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Saturday morning at 7:00AM
$5 Entry Fee . . . Tickets available at the door and include a chance at the grand prizes. Additional prize tickets also available for purchase for $1 each or 6 tickets for $5 or 25 for $20.  

Reserve Your Table Today!!! Tables are $10 each; electricity is an additional $10.

Send e-mail to: tables@tchams.org, or by mail at: Table sales, PO Box 1871, West Monroe, LA 71294