ARRL

ARRL's Small Antennas for Small Spaces

Antenna Solutions for Every Space!

Amateur Radio operators love antennas – the bigger the better -- but if you don’t have acres of property to erect the antenna of your dreams, does it mean you’re effectively off the air? Not at all!

This fascinating hobby is still yours to enjoy. With the right antenna you'll be on the air today!

ARRL’s Small Antennas for Small Spaces is a valuable resource for radio amateurs who live in apartments, condominiums, or houses on small lots. Filled with practical advice, this book guides you to finding the right antenna design to fit whatever space you have available. In Small Antennas for Small Spaces you’ll find ideas and projects that will get you on the air regardless of where you live!

  • Contents

    Tips to Get You Started the Right Way

    ­Optimizing your limited-space station is about more than just building an antenna. Learn important tips about feed lines, SWR, RF amplifiers, operating modes and RF safety.

    Indoor Antennas You Can Install this Weekend

    Design ideas and projects for VHF and HF antennas you can use inside your home.

    Outdoor HF Antennas for Any Property

    Dipoles, inverted Ls, end-fed wires, loops, verticals and temporary antennas.

    Outdoor Antennas for VHF and Beyond

    Compact omnidirectional and directional antennas you can install anywhere.

    Creative Solutions

    A collection of limited-space antenna ideas from well-known amateurs, including the innovative Folded Skeleton Sleeve 40 and 20 Meter Dipole Antenna by QST Technical Editor Joel Hallas, W1ZR.

    …and more!

  • Foreword

    As much as amateurs admire the tall towers and large antenna arrays they see in QST magazine and elsewhere, the reality for most of them is altogether different. An increasingly large portion of the Amateur Radio population finds itself running out of room – literally – to erect effective antennas. Hams find themselves living in environments that severely curtail their activities, either because of homeowner association restrictions, landlord rules or simply lack of space.

     

    Small Antennas for Small Spaces was written with these amateurs in mind. Author Steve Ford, WB8IMY, has been licensed for several decades, yet has spent much of that time operating from apartments, condominiums or small houses. Despite this handicap, he has made thousands of contacts and earned a number of operating awards.

     

    Steve brings his experience, along with the experiences of other amateurs, to create a book of ideas and options for the space-restricted ham. Regardless of your living situation, or whether your interest is HF or VHF, Small Antennas for Small Spaces has advice and projects that you can put to use right away!

     

    David Sumner, K1ZZ

    ARRL Chief Executive Officer

    Newington, Connecticut

    April 2011

  • Publication Details

    ARRL Order No: 8393

    Softcover: 128 pages
    Publisher: The American Radio Relay League, Inc.; First Edition (April 2011)Language: English
    ISBN: 978-0-87259-839-3
    Product Dimensions: 8 3/16 x 10 7/8 inches
    Shipping Weight: 1.0 pounds

  • Order Now

    ARRL's Small Antennas for Small Spaces is available from ARRL and publication dealers near you.
    Order from ARRL
    Find a dealer

Back to Top

Having Trouble?

Publications & Online Store >> Product Notes >> ARRL's Small Antennas for Small Spaces