Hentenna Projects
DIY high-gain loop antennas for amateur radio operators
The Hentenna is a compact, rectangular loop antenna design, originally developed by Japanese hams for the 6-meter band in the 1970s. Known for its unique bidirectional pattern and good gain, it has become a popular choice for operators seeking an effective antenna that is relatively easy to build and tune. Hentennas are often used for VHF and UHF operations, but designs also exist for HF bands, making them versatile for various amateur radio activities and antenna projects.
Hams often share construction plans and design variations for Hentennas, including versions for 2 meters and 6 meters, often using materials like copper pipe or aluminum tubing. Many resources detail how to build these antennas, sometimes including reflectors for enhanced gain, and discuss their performance for local repeater access or DX contacts. Projects like the ForkTenna demonstrate how the Hentenna design can be adapted for specific operational needs and compact spaces.
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Descriptions for 144-MHz- , 70 MHz- and 50-MHz-Reflector-Hentennas -
A half-sized Hentenna designed for unique performance in compact spaces. Initially built in 2003 for monitoring a local 146.97 MHz repeater from a basement shop, the antenna proved highly effective, operating at just 200mW. In 2005, it was adapted for use in a challenging river-bottom location, delivering reliable performance on a 2-meter band with 5W. Despite its compact size, the Forktenna demonstrated excellent results compared to a full-sized Hentenna, making it an intriguing option for many hams. -
Learn how to design a Hentenna antenna, a portable asymmetrical double-loop antenna ideal for amateur HF or VHF bands. This page provides details on constructing and optimizing the antenna for maximum performance in DX communications. Discover how altering the antenna's vertical feed section can adjust the VSWR resonant frequency and how changing the support pole's position can alter the beam direction. Originally developed by Japanese 6-meter operators, the 'Hentenna' offers a unique design that allows for horizontal polarization when vertically oriented. Explore radiation patterns, VSWR charts, and antenna currents diagrams to optimize your antenna's performance for long-distance contacts. -
A copper pipe Hentenna for 144 MHz. The Hentenna, a compact, high-gain loop antenna developed in Japan in the 1970s, offers approximately 5.1 dBd gain, comparable to a three-element Yagi. Adapted for 2 meters, it is crafted from copper pipe for simplicity, affordability, and broadband performance. Requiring no feed-point tuning, its construction involves soldering standard copper fittings. Installation demands non-conductive materials to minimize signal disruption. Versatile for vertical or horizontal polarization, it is ideal for FM, repeater, SSB, or CW applications. This design emphasizes practicality and performance for amateur radio enthusiasts -
An Hentenna plan for six meters band -
Developed by Japanese 6 Meter Hams in the 1970's can be designed and built for almost any band -
Newsletter article detailing the step-by-step construction of a 2m Hentenna using copper pipes, including user experiences and performance evaluations -
The Hentenna is an Asymmetrical Double Rectangle (ADR) Loop Antenna originally designed by Japanese Hams operating on the 6 m Band in the 1970s. -
Provides a comprehensive overview of the Hentenna design, construction methods using aluminum tubing, and discusses its bidirectional characteristics with illustrative photos -
Explores the addition of a reflector to the traditional Hentenna design for 6m band, providing construction insights, performance comparisons, and modeling data -
The K5USS 6 Meter Hentenna Project page on Hamuniverse provides detailed instructions on how to build a 6 meter directional antenna with 3.5 dBd gain. The project is presented with permission from K5USS, Charlie of Richardson, Texas. This directional antenna is a full wave loop on 6 meters, horizontally polarized but mounted vertically, with a 50 ohm impedance, ideal for 6 meter SSB operations. The page is useful for hams looking to construct their own directional antenna for improved performance on the 6 meter band. -
An Hentenna project for the six meters band. The standard size of standard hentenna is width 1/6 wavelength x height 1/2. The antenna build in this project is a full wavelenght antenna for the 50 MHz providing a 6.8 dbi gain.