Putting Up Your First Antenna
I was first licensed in 1959 and quickly put up my first antenna. I didn't bother doing any research into the subject like looking at a book or magazine. After all, how hard could it be? I had passed my Novice test and I knew some formulas. I put up a 132 foot dipole for 80 meters at about 10 feet and fed it with what I had laying around, TV twin lead. The antenna didn't work. I wondered why.
We want you to avoid such an experience so we have put up this page. The articles here have been hand picked from the pages of QST with the beginner in mind. There is a little antenna theory, again with the beginner in mind, and some simple to construct antenna projects that work well. Even the Additional Resources list does not contain the big theoretical volumes.
Remember that your antenna can be the simplest and least expensive component of your station and yet can have the greatest effect on its performance.
If you have an HF license, see Wire Antennas for the Beginner -- if you have a VHF only license, see Ground-plane Antennas for 144, 222, 449 MHz. There are also more antenna projects and an antenna primer.
Additional resources
ARRL's Wire Antenna Classics
More Wire Antenna Classics Volume 2
Vertical Antenna Classics
Stealth Amateur Radio
QST Magazine
The ARRL's Continuing Education Program has an eight week course on Antenna Design and Construction
Articles
Note: Some of the following articles are in Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) files. To view and print these files, you'll need a copy of Adobe's Acrobat Reader program. (Version 3.0 or later required). More information here.
Some Antenna Projects
- Wire Antennas for the Beginner (1,781,534 bytes, PDF file)
QST June 1983, pp. 33-38
Every ham knows how to make and install wire antennas. But if you've never done it, you probably have a few questions. Here are some answers.
- Ground-plane Antennas for 144, 222, 449 MHz (109,309 bytes, PDF file)
ARRL Antenna Book, 18th Edition, pp. 18-16 to 18.17
(If you can't find aluminum rod or wire or welding rods, try metal coat hangers - they work too.)
- Build a Portable Groundplane Antenna (1,206,418 bytes, PDF File)
QST July 1991, pp. 33-34
Need a better antenna for your hand-held radio? Here's the answer.
- Feeding Your Station (1,743,425 bytes, PDF File)
QST December 1983, pp. 20-23
Fat coaxial line, skinny cable, open-wire feeders or 300-ohm ribbon line - the correct choice can save the beginner a few dollars while helping to ensure maximum performance.
Feedback: QST April 1984, p. 51. There is an error in Table 1. The capacitance of RG-11A/U is 20.5 pF/ft, not 0.5 pF/ft as shown.
Feedback: The first formula in note 1 should read m = ft x 0.3048
- A 15-Meter Beam "On A Budget" (602,286 bytes, PDF file)
QST February 1971, pp. 41-43
Even the simplest beam can be expensive due to the cost of aluminum tubing. Here's a solution.
An Antenna Primer
- Choosing An Antenna (406,416 bytes, PDF file)
QST January 1962, pp. 25-29, 140, 142
As the title indicates, this article is written to help the newcomer decide on the kind of antenna to select for his station.
- The Aerial Performers of the Radio Circuits Part 1 (999,273 bytes, PDF file)
QST November 1978, pp. 42-46
Antennas are as different as the hams who use them.
- The Aerial Performers of the Radio Circuits Part 2 (1,876,039 bytes, PDF file)
QST December 1978, pp. 44-48
Why do some antennas get out better than others? Here are some practical answers plus all you need to know for building a simple coax-fed, half-wave dipole.
- What Does Your SWR Cost You? (149,201 bytes, PDF file)
QST January 1979, pp. 19-20
Wondering whether to spend a fine day with the YL or with your antenna? This article may help you decide.
- Antenna Accessories for the Beginner (1,786,359 bytes, PDF file)
QST February 1979, pp. 15-19
How many antenna gadgets are needed to put out a good signal? Perhaps your station is over-equipped, or maybe you've been shortchanging yourself on accessories.
- Which HAM Radio Antenna is the Best Choice for Point to Point Communications
by 10th grader Heather Cox (KB8VYQ)
Received award at the 42nd Annual Southeastern Michigan Science Fair 2000
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Note:
Contact information for suppliers mentioned in the above articles should first be confirmed using TIS Address Database Search.
Web Links:
- "This Old Dipole" or Dipole 101
An antenna construction workshop conducted at Marshall N1FN's QTH on Sunday, 8/2/98 (An EXCELLENT step-by-step with color photos on constructing a dipole. – Ed.)
Article Reprints:
You can get a photocopy of any ARRL published article for $3 ($5 for nonmembers) for each article requested. Contact the ARRL Technical Department (reprints@arrl.org ), or 1-860-594-0390, Noon to 5PM, Tuesday though Friday, if you wish to get photocopies.
This information was prepared as a membership service by the American Radio Relay League, Inc., Technical Information Service, 225 Main St., Newington, CT 06111 (860) 594-0214. Email: tis@arrl.org (Internet). ARRL HQ is glad to provide this information on the Web free of charge as a service to League members and affiliated clubs.
If you have any questions concerning the reproduction or distribution of this material, please contact:
TIS Coordinator
American Radio Relay League
225 Main St., Newington, CT 06111
Tel: 860-594-0214 Fax: 860-594-0259
(email: tis@arrl.org)
Page last modified: 12:15 PM, 26 Jan 2009 ET
Page author: tis@arrl.org
Copyright © 2009, American Radio Relay League, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
