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An easy to build single wire antenna for 160 and 80 meters with a better than 2 to 1 swr across the 80 meter band by K5GP

An article on TX and RX antennae for the low bands 80 and 160m by EI7BA

How to build a multi-band dipole antenna with a single coax feed. Instructions for a 160M antenna that will fit in the space that a 75M dipole will with almost as good of results as a full size 160M dipole.

A vertical antenna for the top band, made with a 26m fiberglass spiderpole by DJ0IP

VE7CA experiments on 160 meters band antennas, looking for better performances on reception.

The RigPix database entry provides a comprehensive technical overview of the Icom IC-746 amateur HF/VHF transceiver, detailing its operational parameters and physical characteristics. It specifies the transmit frequency ranges across 10-160 meters plus WARC bands, 50-54 MHz, and 144-146/148 MHz, alongside receive coverage from 0.03-60 MHz and 108-174 MHz. The resource outlines supported modes including AM, FM, SSB, CW, and RTTY, noting a tuning step resolution down to 1 Hz and a frequency stability of ±5 ppm. Key electrical specifications are presented, such as a 13.8 VDC power supply requirement, current drain figures for RX (1.8-2 A) and TX (Max 20 A), and RF output power ranging from 5-40 W for AM and 5-100 W for FM, SSB (PEP), and CW. The entry details the triple conversion superheterodyne receiver system, listing IF frequencies at 69.01 MHz, 9.01 MHz, and 455 KHz, along with sensitivity ratings for various modes and bands. Transmitter section specifics include modulation systems and spurious emission levels. Additional features like a built-in auto ATU, electronic keyer, simple spectrum scope, DSP, and CI-V computer control are noted. The page also lists related documents, modifications, and an extensive array of optional accessories, including various filters, microphones, and external tuners, providing a complete profile of the IC-746.

A ranking of receiving antennas based on noise being evenly distributed in all directions. These rankings are most accurate in the frequency range of AM broadcast, 160 or 80 meter bands

3 Band vertical Marconi-antenna for the bands 40, 80, 160 meters with a ground net of wires as radials.

A multiband 20/40/75/160 trap dipole antenna plan by KG0WX

Pre amplifier using a 2N5109 for the 160 meters band

An easy to build single wire antenna for 160 and 80 meters with a better than 2 to 1 swr across the 80 meter band

The Q-signal **QRP** signifies a request to reduce power, and in amateur radio, it defines operating with 5 watts or less for CW and 10 watts or less for SSB. This article addresses common inquiries from new hams regarding the practice, its benefits, and implementation methods. It explains how a 5-watt QRP signal, compared to a 100-watt signal, typically results in only a 13dB drop in signal strength, equating to about two S-units, still providing solid copy under most conditions. Hams choose QRP for various reasons, including seeking a greater challenge in DXing or contesting, reducing band interference, or enabling portable field operations with lightweight, battery-efficient equipment. A modern single-band CW transceiver, key, and antenna can fit into a pocket, offering receiver performance comparable to commercial rigs and extended operation on a small battery. This portability facilitates operations in remote locations where higher-power setups are impractical. Operating QRP can involve simply reducing power on an existing commercial HF rig or building a dedicated QRP transceiver from a kit, such as the **Wilderness Radio SST** with its 2-watt output and 15mA receive current draw. While SSB is viable, CW remains the most popular and efficient mode for QRP due to its superior signal-to-noise ratio. The article lists common QRP calling frequencies across 160m through 10m bands for both CW and SSB, and highlights organizations like QRP ARCI and NorCal that support the QRP community.

A 90-foot vertical antenna constructed from **aluminum irrigation tubing** is detailed, focusing on its innovative raising and lowering mechanism. The resource describes a **45-foot ginpole** system, allowing a single operator to erect or lower the antenna in minutes. It covers the mechanical design, including the pivot base, insulated joints for the tubing sections, and guy wire attachment points. The antenna consists of two 30-foot sections of 4-inch tubing and one 30-foot section of 2-inch tubing, stacked with the smaller diameter at the top. The electrical design incorporates PVC "condulet" boxes at the 30-foot and 60-foot points, housing relays to change the effective height for multi-band operation on 160, 80, 40, and 30 meters. Ferrite rod inductive chokes are used for DC control and to tune out gap capacitance. The antenna is fed with 1000 feet of open wire line, connected to a matching transformer comprising stacked toroids and a coaxial/toroidal balun. Grounding is achieved with a 3x3 foot grid of 16-gauge tinned copper wires with soldered crossovers.

A full size delta loop antenna for top band by PA3FUN

QRZCQ.com provides a centralized online platform for amateur radio operators, integrating a global callsign database with DX Cluster functionality. The service features real-time DX spotting, filtering capabilities for specific bands (e.g., 160m, 80m, 40m, 20m, 15m, 10m), and specialized filters for awards like IOTA, SOTA, WWFF, and QRP activity. It also includes a logbook, QSL manager lookup, contest calendar, and various ham radio articles and news feeds, supporting a wide range of operating activities and information retrieval. The platform aggregates data from multiple sources, offering a dynamic view of on-air activity and callsign information. Users can register for free to access additional services, including a personal logbook, buddy lists, and chat features, fostering community interaction among over 198,600 registered users. The DX Cluster displays recent spots with frequency, DX call, spotter, and remarks, covering bands from VLF to VHF. Beyond DX spotting, the site provides resources such as repeater directories, propagation information, and a swapmeet, making it a multi-faceted tool for both casual browsing and serious DXing or contesting. The service also highlights active users, latest news, articles, and videos, keeping the content fresh and relevant.

An cheap, easy to construct and not too visible antenna for the low bands

This resource details the conversion of an 80m elevated vertical antenna to include 160m operation, focusing on a relay-switched design over a trap-based approach. It presents specific feedpoint impedance values, such as **32 ohms** for 80m and **14 ohms** for 160m, and discusses the challenges of SWR drift encountered with the prior trap system during RTTY contesting. The article thoroughly explains the design choices for elevated radials, referencing _N6LF QEX data_ to debunk common myths regarding radial length and height, demonstrating that non-resonant radials can offer superior current uniformity. The construction section provides practical insights into building the vertical, including guying strategies, material selection from scrap pipe, and weatherproofing the relay assembly. It highlights the use of a common mode choke for the relay switching line, measuring approximately 5K ohms on both 160m and 80m, and details the L/C matching network's role in achieving a 50-ohm match at the end of a 300-foot RG-11 run. The author describes a precise VNA-based radial trimming procedure, achieving resonant values within a 3 KHz range. The content emphasizes the practical application of theoretical antenna principles, particularly concerning the interaction between the vertical element, cap hats, and the matching network. It offers a candid assessment of component selection, such as using junkbox parts and acknowledging the need for future upgrades to static drain resistors. The article serves as a comprehensive case study for advanced antenna builders tackling multi-band vertical designs.

This vertical antenna consist of a 18 meters telescopic pole and allow operations from 160 to 30 meters band, project by Daniel Zimmerman N3OX

Anyone attempting to work DX on Top-Band 160 Meters, soon learns of the need for a good receiving antenna. This is a 160 meter 8 element receiving array.

All Band HF Doublet for operation over all HF bands including 160m.

One specific challenge in the KazShack, operating Single Operator Two Radios (SO2R), involved sharing a K9AY receive antenna between two transceivers without direct RF connection or manual feedline swapping. The solution, detailed in this project, adapts the **W3LPL RX bandpass filter** design to split 160m and 80m signals, feeding them to separate radio inputs while maintaining isolation. This approach also addresses the issue of strong broadcast band interference from a nearby 50KW WPTF transmitter on 680kc. The construction utilizes T-50-3 toroids and NP0 ceramic capacitors, built in a "dead bug" style on copper clad board. Each band's filter coils are identical and resonated to the desired frequency using an MFJ-259 antenna analyzer. A single DPDT relay, controlled by a remote toggle switch mounted on an aluminum panel, facilitates quick band switching between radios, simplifying low-band operations. While some signal loss is noted, the expected lower noise levels from the receive antenna are anticipated to compensate, potentially reducing the need for constant volume adjustments during toggling between transmit and receive antennas.

The WT0G crazy W dipole, a solution for 160 meter operations

A 160 meter antenna with a base loading coil used to tune the two lower frequency segments of the band.

The Yaesu FT-100 is a miniature mobile transceiver that provides coverage of the 160 to 6 meter bands plus the 144 MHz and 430 MHz bands

A 100Ft wire antenna for the top meter band

The document provides a detailed guide on modifying an inverted-L antenna to include the 160 meters band. This enhancement allows amateur radio operators to utilize the lower frequency effectively, which is crucial for long-distance communication, especially during the night. The inverted-L design is popular due to its compact size and ease of installation, making it suitable for various environments. By adding top band capabilities, operators can engage in DXing and contesting on 160m, expanding their operational range and opportunities. The guide includes practical tips and considerations for construction, ensuring that the antenna maintains its performance across the extended frequency range. It discusses the necessary adjustments and materials required for the modification, along with potential challenges and solutions. Whether you are a seasoned operator or a beginner, this project can enhance your station's capabilities, allowing for more versatile operations and improved signal quality on the 160m band.

How to build your own beverage antenna for 80-160 meters band by K5ZD

An home made Z-Match antenna tuner unit that cover all HF bands between 10 and 160 meters

A shortened 160 meters band antenna for hams who do not have 260 ft of space, based on a open-wire-fed short dipoole

A 50-ohm 10W resistor forms the core of this portable QRP antenna, designed by _K0EMT_ for convenient operation on 160m and 80m. The construction involves soldering the resistor to a BNC connector, with one lead to ground and the other to the center conductor, then insulating the assembly. This minimalist design aims to provide a highly portable solution for low-band QRP operations, acknowledging the inherent trade-offs between antenna size and efficiency. Testing with an antenna analyzer revealed low SWR on both 160m and 80m, with a Yaesu FT-817 confirming good matching. While 40m and 30m showed higher SWR, the primary focus remains on the lower bands. The author successfully tested the antenna with **2.5W CW** output, demonstrating its practical application for QRP field operations where ease of deployment is paramount, even if it means sacrificing some **gain** compared to full-sized antennas.

A compact antenna for 160 meters, suitable for hams tha want operate top band buh have a limited space

A workign example of a simple half-sized, end fed halfwave for 160 meter band by N0LX

Live DX spots are presented through a _web cluster_ interface, utilizing both a world map and a Google Maps display for visualizing amateur radio propagation. The system provides real-time spotting data, enabling operators to track active stations globally. Users can observe current band conditions and station activity, which is crucial for optimizing contact strategies across various amateur bands. The platform's utility extends to contest operations and general DXing, offering a visual representation of where stations are being heard. While the primary function is DX spotting, the site also includes technical articles, such as instructions for interlocking two Flex Radios for single-transmitter compliance in contests, and a guide for constructing a simple **5KW** 1:1 balun for **160m/80m** dipoles using RG400 cable. This combination of live data and practical technical content supports both operational awareness and station improvement.

This is a Ham Radio Software Transceiver for Amateur Radio. Software works in Windows, Mac and Linux. HamSphere is a community for Ham Radio operators and other radio enthusiasts. Amateur radio equipment is not needed. The Transceiver uses java technology and covers all virtual Ham Radio and Amateur radio bands from 160 to 6 meters.

Lights on why 160 meters is so unpredictable and what is being done to reveal its secrets

A homemade tunable bandpass filter for all HF bands from 160m to 10m

A monster magnetic loop antenna for 160 meters band. This Magnetic loop is optimized for 1840 Khz + 50 Khz. PDF Article published on La Radiospecola 10.22

Planning and modeling a special L antenna for Top Band

This is the 195-foot tall rotating Rohn 55G tower at W8JI with yagis for 40 20 15 and 6 meter bands.

A Wire resonant loop antenna for 160 meters band article by N4KC

The X80 multi-band HF vertical antenna, a commercial iteration of the Rybakov design, exhibits a physical length of 5.5 meters, or approximately 18 feet, and is constructed from aluminum tubing. It operates as a non-resonant vertical, requiring an external antenna tuner for impedance matching across its intended operating frequencies. The antenna's design incorporates a 1:4 UNUN at its base, facilitating a nominal 50-ohm feed point impedance for the coaxial cable. Performance observations indicate effective operation on 40 meters, 20 meters, 15 meters, and 10 meters, with reduced efficiency on 80 meters and 160 meters due to its relatively short electrical length for these lower bands. Comparative analysis with a G5RV dipole and a half-wave end-fed antenna reveals the X80 offers a lower take-off angle, beneficial for DX contacts, particularly on the higher HF bands. Field tests conducted with an Icom IC-706MKIIG transceiver and an LDG AT-100ProII autotuner demonstrate the X80's ability to achieve acceptable SWR across 80m through 10m. The antenna's compact footprint and ease of deployment make it suitable for restricted spaces or portable operations, though its performance on 80 meters is noted as a compromise compared to full-size resonant antennas.

A K9AY loop antenna project done with Far Circuits pc boards for the antenna switch and bandpass filter and preamp by K7SFN

The HotPaw Morse Code Decoder application for macOS processes audio input to transcribe Morse code characters into text. It presents both an audio spectrum graph and a tone amplitude graph, which aid in configuring a narrow band audio filter. Operators can set the audio filter for tone frequencies between 400 and 1600 Hz, optimizing reception for various CW signals. The software offers user-configurable settings, including WPM dot/dash speed detection, a noise threshold level, and the option to use Farnsworth timing for inter-character spacing. The Morse code WPM detection automatically adapts from approximately 8 to 40 WPM, with a lock feature for the estimated speed. A High Speed WPM Mode is available for code speeds ranging from 40 to 80 WPM, catering to faster CW operators. The application's decoding performance is influenced by signal level, signal-to-noise ratio, frequency and WPM stability, keying quality, and proper configuration, with an initial learning phase required for WPM estimation to stabilize. An external microphone or line-in may be necessary for optimal performance on some MacBook models to mitigate fan noise or room reverberations. Version 1.4.4, updated on November 11, 2021, includes compatibility improvements for newer macOS releases. The developer, Ronald Nicholson of HotPaw Productions, does not collect any user data from the application.

A presentation of a HF multi-band sloper antenna. This antenna project is for low band operations, and antenna presented in this article works on 40 80 and 160 meters band. Article is in Polish.

Flag antenna project for 160 meters band

Over 100 amateur radio beacon audio files are presented, offering a direct auditory experience of propagation conditions across a wide spectrum of frequencies, from 1.8 MHz to 47 GHz. These recordings, primarily captured by IW3FZQ and IK3NWX, document signals from beacons such as DK0WCY, IY4M, GB3RAL, and S55ZRS, providing a valuable resource for **propagation study** and **beacon monitoring**. Each entry in the list specifies the beacon's callsign, its operating frequency in kHz, and the recording operator. This compilation includes signals from beacons located in various grid squares like JN55VF, JO44VQ, and IO91IN, illustrating diverse geographical origins. The frequencies covered span the 160m, 80m, 40m, 30m, 20m, 17m, 15m, 12m, 10m, 6m, 4m, 2m, 70cm, 23cm, 6cm, 3cm, 1.2cm, and 6mm amateur bands. Users can listen to these recordings to identify characteristic beacon tones and observe signal strength variations. The resource also invites other radio amateurs to contribute their own beacon audio files, fostering a collaborative archive of propagation data. The last update to this collection was on March 24, 2009, indicating a historical snapshot of beacon activity. Accessing the files requires the Real Player software.

Article by N6LF on a top band vertical antenna array system

This resource provides a detailed historical record of satellite downlink frequencies, systematically organized by both frequency range and the satellite's launch year. It presents extensive listings covering segments from 8 MHz to 9000 MHz, including specific breakdowns like 136-137 MHz and 1600-2200 MHz. The data is segmented into distinct frequency blocks, offering granular information for various bands. The content delineates frequencies for satellites launched across several decades, with specific sections for years such as 2004, 1999, and extending back to 1967. This chronological organization allows for tracking the evolution of satellite communication frequencies over time. The resource serves as a reference for identifying operational downlink frequencies of historical space assets, which is particularly useful for satellite enthusiasts and those interested in _space tracking_ or _vintage satellite_ communications. The utility of this compilation lies in its specific historical data, providing a unique perspective on past satellite operations and frequency allocations.

Hi-Z Antennas offers specialized high-impedance receiving systems, primarily focusing on phased vertical arrays for HF reception. Their product line includes preamplifiers designed for shortened vertical antennas, featuring optimized 15dB gain and array-matched characteristics. These components are engineered to enhance weak signal reception and improve signal-to-noise ratio across the HF spectrum. The company provides controllers for managing multiple vertical elements in a phased array configuration, enabling directional reception patterns. These systems are particularly effective for mitigating local noise and interference, a common challenge in urban and suburban operating environments. Specific offerings include solutions for 160-meter and 80-meter bands, addressing the unique requirements of low-band DXing. Technical details often reference components like the 2N3866 transistor in preamp designs and discuss concepts such as out-of-band attenuation. The focus remains on optimizing receiving antenna performance through impedance matching and active amplification, rather than transmit capabilities.

Topband and DX recordings and sound files on 160 meters band