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Query: DX antenna
Links: 322 | Categories: 4
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A quick and easy to build loop antenna for shortwave listeining can tune from 5 to 18 Mhz
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A half sloper antenna for 160 meter band Italian translation of a WD8DSB article appeared in a QST issue during 1998. This article presents a **Reduced-Size Half Sloper Antenna for 160 Meters**, designed for amateur radio operators with limited space. By utilizing a 40-foot tower or a tree, you can build an efficient antenna that slopes down, achieving a 2:1 SWR bandwidth of 120 kHz. This innovative design allows for effective communication on the "Top Band," making it ideal for winter DXing.
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The **NW3Z** optimized wideband antenna designs, originally presented at Dayton 2001, detail Yagi configurations for the 20-meter, 15-meter, and 10-meter amateur radio bands. This resource provides access to the design files, likely containing critical parameters such as element spacing, element lengths, and boom dimensions, which are essential for replicating these directional antennas. The designs focus on achieving wide bandwidth, a desirable characteristic for contesters and DXers operating across a significant portion of each band. The content specifically references "nw3z-Antenna-DesignsDownload," indicating that the core information is available as a downloadable file, presumably in a format suitable for antenna modeling software or direct construction. Such files typically include **NEC models** or similar data, allowing for performance analysis and optimization before physical construction. The emphasis on "optimized wideband" suggests design considerations for SWR bandwidth and gain characteristics over a broader frequency range than typical narrow-band Yagis. The resource serves as a direct source for specific, proven antenna designs from a known amateur radio antenna designer, offering practical data for hams interested in building high-performance Yagi arrays for HF.
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10 Meter WonderBar Antenna, present an SWR 1:1 over entire band, great DX, rotateable by hand, 8 ft long - build for about $20
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F6EZX presents a detailed account of constructing a compact, multi-band _Levy antenna_ for portable holiday operations, specifically addressing issues with local QRM from a previous _Deltaloop_ setup. The article outlines the design criteria, including multi-band operation on 40m, 30m, 17m, 15m, 12m, and 10m, a symmetrical configuration to reduce interference, and a low take-off angle for DX. Construction involves 2x 10.3m radiating elements and a 15.3m open-wire feeder (ladder line) with 7cm spacing, made from 1.5mm2 copper wire and foam pipe insulation spacers. Theoretical calculations, referencing F9HJ's "_Les antennes Levy_" book, guide the determination of element lengths and feeder impedance characteristics, aiming for a good match across bands with a commercial antenna tuner. Initial field tests with the _VCI Vectronics VC300DLP_ tuner showed a 1:1 SWR from 80m to 10m, with some difficulty on 17m. The antenna, mounted as a 45-degree slopper with the high point at 12m, successfully facilitated DX contacts to South America, particularly Chile and Argentina, suggesting a lower take-off angle compared to the previous Deltaloop which favored Brazil. The Levy antenna significantly reduced TVI/RFI, attributed to its improved symmetry and greater distance from the QRA. While signal reports on 15m and 20m were 1-2 S-points lower than the Deltaloop, its performance on 40m and 30m was comparable, fulfilling the design goals for a portable, low-cost, multi-band solution.
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The W8JK is a famous and effective DX antenna, first built by John Kraus, W8JK, in 1937. A Beam antenna with two parallel dipoles driven with opposite phase, with a close spacing of an eighth of a wavelength.
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The W3DZZ trap dipole is a versatile and economical antenna option for amateur radio operators looking to work multiple bands without the need for extensive equipment. This antenna design utilizes traps to allow operation on various HF bands, making it suitable for both casual operators and serious DXers. Its construction is straightforward, making it accessible for beginners while still providing excellent performance for seasoned hams. Constructed with readily available materials, the W3DZZ trap dipole can be built to fit specific band requirements, allowing operators to optimize their setup for the frequencies they intend to use. The design is particularly favored for its ability to maintain a low profile while delivering effective radiation patterns. Whether you're contesting or chasing DX, this antenna can enhance your station's capabilities without breaking the bank.
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10 and 11 meter mobile DX and keydown antennas, radio and amp mods, pics, links, and much more.
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Unified Microsystems presents a range of amateur radio products, notably the **XT-4 MK2 CW Memory Keyer**, a battery-powered iambic keyer designed for portable operations like Field Day, POTA, SOTA, and DXpeditions. It features four non-volatile memories, each storing approximately 240 Morse characters, and operates at speeds from 8-45 WPM. The XT-4 MK2 also includes an auto power save function and paddle reverse, making it adaptable for multi-operator setups. Beyond the XT-4 MK2, the site details the **W9XT Contest Card**, a PC plug-in board offering DVK and CW interface capabilities, allowing operators to record and playback CQs and contest exchanges. Other offerings include the BevFlex-4X RX Antenna System, RAS-4 RX Antenna Switch, VK-64 Voice CW Keyer, and various USB interfaces. Additional products cover electronic development, such as the ATS-1 Terminal Shield for Arduino™ and VR-X Power Supply Voltage Regulators, demonstrating a broader scope beyond just operating accessories. The XT-4Beacon MK2 / CW IDer is also highlighted for beacon projects, capable of storing messages up to 5 minutes at 25 WPM.
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The terminated tilted, folded dipole T2FD is a little known antenna that performs excellently. Compact in size compared to a half-wave dipole the T2FD provides signal gain, wide frequency coverage, and exceptionally low noise characteristics.
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Constructing a high-power solid-state amplifier for HF operations presents unique challenges, particularly when aiming for significant output like 600 watts. This project details an amplifier design employing **Motorola MRF150** FETs, a common choice for their robust performance in RF power applications. The design emphasizes achieving substantial power output, a critical factor for effective DXing and contesting, where every decibel can make a difference in signal propagation and readability. While specific circuit diagrams or construction details are not directly presented on the current page, the mention of MRF150 FETs points towards a design that would typically involve push-pull configurations, impedance matching networks, and robust power supply considerations to handle the high current demands. Such amplifiers are often built with an eye towards linearity and efficiency across the HF bands. Amateurs pursuing similar high-power solid-state projects often share insights on thermal management, intermodulation distortion, and component sourcing, all vital for a stable and reliable amplifier capable of delivering 600 watts into a proper antenna system.
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W5ALT Indoor Vertical Antenna is a base loaded vertical antenna that can be tuned on almost all HF bands by adjusting a big coil. Operating a ham radio station from an apartment in Maracaibo, Venezuela, the author demonstrates effective communication with over 100 countries using a custom-built indoor vertical antenna. Addressing common misconceptions, the design uses a balanced approach with radials and a base-loaded vertical element made from affordable materials. The antenna fits discreetly indoors, covers 6 to 40 meter bands, and achieves acceptable SWR with an MFJ tuner. Despite limited space and typical apartment challenges, the setup enables reliable DX contacts, confirmed by numerous QSL cards, proving indoor antennas can perform well in constrained environments.
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This antenna project came out very nice. It's a rugged homebrew multi-band trap vertical antenna that works the 10, 15, and 20 meter amateur radio bands. The antenna can be mounted on the ground or on a mast. Mounted on the ground the antenna has a low take off angle for working DX. If mounted on a mast the antenna will acheive both a low angle as well as another radiation lobe that has a much higher take off angle.
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Constructing an HF End-Fed Half-Wave (EFHW) vertical antenna, the resource details the winding of a monoband matching unit, inspired by _AA5TB_, designed to provide a 50 Ohm impedance match without a ground plane or antenna tuner. It specifies the use of a _T200-2_ ferrite core for the transformer, outlining the 13-turn secondary and 2-turn primary winding process with enamelled copper wire. The document also describes the integration of a coax capacitor, whose length is critical for tuning and varies by band, with specific starting lengths provided for 20m, 17m, 15m, 12m, and 10m operation. The practical application section guides the builder through tuning the antenna using an antenna analyzer, emphasizing the iterative process of spacing secondary windings and trimming the coax capacitor to achieve resonance at the desired band frequency. It highlights the antenna's low angle of radiation, beneficial for DX, and claims up to 2 S-points improvement over a _G5RV_ or similar doublet when used as an omnidirectional vertical. A comprehensive shopping list, including specific part numbers from _Rapid Electronics_, is provided, along with advice on selecting fiberglass fishing poles for support and suitable antenna wire.
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Pictures of GAP Titan DX vertical antenna assembled by IW5EDI
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German internet shop for difficult-to-find components, which are used by radio amateurs. Antenna parts, masts and mounts, cables connectors, wires, rf-chockes, toroids cores, twin-lead, teflon -strand, insultators
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46ft multi-band antenna for small gardens. Works well on 80m. An excellent DX performer and is an ideal replacement for your half size G5RV
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A really simple receiving antenna for 80 and 160 meter dxing by WA2WVL
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End-Fed Half-Wave Antennas (EFHWAs) are analyzed for their utility in portable QRP operations, emphasizing their simplicity, efficiency, and predictable radiation patterns compared to other portable antenna types. The discussion contrasts EFHWAs with vertical antennas, random length wires, and center-fed dipoles, highlighting the common pitfalls of each, such as ground system dependency for verticals and feedline issues for dipoles. The article details the electrical half-wavelength calculation using the formula L (Ft) = 468/F(MHz) and explains how EFHWAs can be resonant on harmonic frequencies, enabling multiband operation. Various deployment configurations are presented, including the inverted L, inverted Vee, sloping wire, and vertical setups, each with specific advantages for radiation angle and polarization. For instance, a vertical EFHWA offers a low angle of radiation suitable for DX contacts without requiring an extensive ground system. The resource also addresses the counterpoise requirements, suggesting a quarter-wavelength wire or connection to a metallic structure for decoupling. A schematic diagram for a simple parallel-tuned circuit tuner, based on the _Rainbow Bridge/Tuner_ design, is provided, detailing component values for 30 and 40 meters, including a 6 microhenry toroidal inductor and a 20-100 picofarad mica compression capacitor. The tuner's adjustment process for SWR matching is also outlined.
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These antennas offer big gun DX performance on the low bands, yet they are surprisingly simple to build. Try one- you will like it!
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Portable Vertical Antenna for 75m and 40m featuring Low radiation angle for DX, easy to install and to match 50 ohms
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A web site dedicated to the K3LR contest station, a Multi Multi Station with 9 towers located in Western Pennsylvania. It provides information about the station components, antenna construction company, radio equipment used, and upcoming events like the Top Band Dinner at Dayton. The site also includes links to related resources like Contest University, Dayton Contest Dinner, and World Wide Radio Operators Foundation. The intended audience is amateur radio operators interested in contesting and DXing. The content is focused on promoting the K3LR station and sharing news and updates related to its activities.
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The document details the optimization and construction of the _Maria Maluca_ antenna, a compact 6-band (20m-6m) directional beam. It presents a comparative analysis of shortwave antenna principles, highlighting the efficiency gains achieved by using an open feeder line and tuner as a resonant unit, contrasting this with the losses associated with traps or capacitive loads in multiband antennas. The resource specifically revisits an older South American 2-element design for 10, 15, and 20 meters, applying modern NEC-based software to develop a six-band version. Performance data is meticulously tabulated, showing impedance, free space gain, gain at 12m height, elevation angle, and front-to-back (F/B) ratio for each band from 20m through 6m. For instance, on 15m, the antenna achieves 5.1 dBd free space gain and 13.72 dB F/B ratio. The construction section provides practical guidance on element assembly using aluminum pipes and hose clamps, detailing the use of a heavy-duty glass fiber reinforced polyamide rod for electrical separation and bending strength. It also specifies the use of 450-ohm _Wireman_ line CQ 552 for the transmission line. The document includes diagrams for rod fixing, an air-wound balun, and a vertical elevation diagram for the 15m band, illustrating its DX qualification. It also discusses the antenna's suitability for portable and expedition operations, noting its compact transport dimensions (max 1.50m length, 12 lb weight) and quick assembly time (under 15 minutes). The author, Dipl.Ing. Helmut Oeller, DC6NY, is identified as a source for material kits.
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The article "Exploring the World of 10 Meter Beacons" by Ken Reitz, KS4ZR, provides an in-depth look at 10-meter beacon operations, focusing on their utility for propagation analysis. It details FCC Rules part 97.203 governing beacon stations, including license requirements, power limits (under 100 watts), and the specified band segment of 28.200-28.300 MHz for U.S. operations. The content highlights the diversity in beacon construction, from converted CB radios to home-brew QRP transmitters, and discusses the robust operating conditions these 24/7 stations endure. The resource presents several case studies of active 10-meter beacon operators like Ron Anderson KA0PSE/B, Domenic Bianco KC9GNK/B, and Bill Hays WJ5O/B, detailing their equipment, antenna setups, and typical signal report volumes. It also introduces the NCDXF/IARU International Beacon Project, which features 18 synchronized beacons worldwide transmitting on 28.200 MHz at varying power levels (100W, 10W, 1W, 100mW) to facilitate propagation testing. The article also covers the PropNet Project utilizing PSK31 on 28.131 MHz and the 250 Synchronized Propagation Beacon Project on 28.250 MHz. Practical advice for monitoring includes using the RST reporting method, understanding the impact of the solar cycle on 10-meter propagation, and tips for setting up a personal beacon, such as frequency selection and power output considerations. The IY4M Guglielmo Marconi Memorial Beacon Robot on 28.195 MHz is also mentioned for its automatic QSO mode. The article concludes with a list of other resources for 10-meter beacon information.
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Constructing a compact, two-band magnetic loop antenna for HF operation, especially from constrained locations like a balcony, presents unique challenges. OK1FOU's design, inspired by DJ3RW's 50 MHz loop, addresses these by employing an unusual side-fed configuration and placing the symmetric, two-section variable tuning capacitor at the bottom of the loop, directly connected to the coax shield. The article provides specific material recommendations, including two 1-meter wooden pales and about 3 meters of thick loudspeaker cable, noting the high current (60A at 100W) in the loop. Construction steps detail forming two turns with a 5 cm gap, using a GDO to pre-tune the open loop to a frequency slightly above the desired highest band, and then integrating the tuning and coupling capacitors. For 10/14 MHz, an open loop resonance of 16-17 MHz is suggested. Practical experience with the 10 MHz band from a third-floor balcony in Prague (JO70GC) shows a 1:1 SWR across most of the band without an external ATU. While DX traffic was modest due to the urban environment, QSO examples with RA6WF, LA6GIA, G0NXA, and LZ1QK on 10 MHz are provided, demonstrating its operational capability.
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A 46ft multi-band antenna for small gardens that works on 80m. An excellent DX performer and is an ideal replacement for your half size G5RV by G7FEK
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BEAM_DX is a free windows software for radioamateurs or radio listeners usage. It allows to point a directionnal antenna towards an azimuth, a locator, an international prefix or any other geographical position on earth predefined by its latitude and its longitude
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JJ0DRC's HF multi-band delta loop antenna project, initially conceived during the waning peak of Cycle 23, addresses the common challenge of achieving effective DX operation from a small residential lot in Japan. Dissatisfied with a ground plane antenna's performance in SSB pile-ups, the author sought a beam-like solution without a tower, drawing inspiration from a JJ1VKL article in CQ Ham Radio Sep. 2000. The antenna, constructed in October 2000, employs two 7.2-meter fishing rods (37% carbon fiber, reinforced with cyano-acrylate glue and aluminum tape) and 1mm enameled wire, fed by an Icom AH-4 external antenna tuner. While the exact beam pattern remains unmeasured, JJ0DRC observed a significantly higher callback rate compared to dipole antennas, particularly on higher bands. The system's circumference length of 15-20m is crucial for maintaining a good beam pattern across HF bands, though performance on lower bands like 80m, 40m, and 30m becomes less directional as the length deviates from a full wavelength. Ongoing maintenance addressed degradation issues, including aluminum tape cracking and wire breakage at connection points due to strong winds (often exceeding 10-15m/s in winter). The author reinforced rod connections with IRECTOR PIPE SYSTEM components and INSU-ROCK ties, and improved wire attachment methods using Cremona rope and epoxy bond to enhance durability.
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Presents a comprehensive guide for constructing a broadband Hex Beam antenna, a popular directional array for HF operation. This design offers a compact footprint and excellent gain characteristics, making it suitable for limited space installations while providing significant performance advantages over omnidirectional antennas. The resource details the specific dimensions for a five-band Hex Beam covering 20, 17, 15, 12, 10, and 6 meters, emphasizing the critical element spacing and wire lengths required for proper resonance and pattern. It outlines the construction of the center post, spreaders, and wire elements, along with the feed point assembly, ensuring proper impedance matching. The project aims for a forward gain of approximately **5.5 dBi** on most bands, with a front-to-back ratio often exceeding _20 dB_. Building this antenna requires careful measurement and assembly, but the resulting performance provides a substantial upgrade for DXing and contesting.
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7.5 MHz wideband audio delivered via AMC-7 satellite transponder 5 provides a robust platform for disseminating amateur radio news. This service caters to operators seeking timely updates on regulations, technology, and DX news. The bulletin is accessible in both MP3 and RealAudio formats, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of devices and listening preferences. Regularly updated content keeps amateur radio enthusiasts informed about the latest developments in the hobby. The service covers a broad spectrum of topics, including contesting, digital modes, and antenna technology. By leveraging satellite and internet distribution, it reaches a global audience, making it a vital resource for operators worldwide. Listeners can expect a consistent flow of information, with new episodes released frequently. The service's commitment to providing high-quality content ensures that amateur radio operators remain well-informed and engaged with the community.
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The concept of the "Hula Loop" came after many years of building medium wave loops of varying size, shape and performance. Usually these loops are constructed on a square wooden frame, with wire being wrapped around the periphery
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Located in France, DXBeam designs and manufactures a range of monoband, dual band and triband antennas, rotary dipoles, Moxons and Yagis
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The only existing 11 meter club located in the state of West Virginia. Offers great radio, antenna, and general radio information.
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W4RNL tutorial on on inductively coupled (link-coupled) antenna tuners
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Portuguese page, from VLF to some GHz, antennas, projects, EME, NDB DX and more.
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Posts about bazooka antennas at towertalk mailing list
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Local and DX contacts from tight spaces, it works from 40 to 17 meters
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A small company that specializes in antennas and accessories for radio hobbyists who enjoy DXing the AM broadcast and LW bands
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Low Noise Antenna pre-amp for SAT, EME & DX-ing
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A 40-meter antenna that provides good local and regional coverage during the day and good DX capability at night
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An efficient 2 meter antenna disguised as a TV Satellite dish. This vertically polarized horizontal slot antenna, cut into the reflector of a TV dish, might be the ultimate stealth antenna.
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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.
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Gap Titan DX Antenna manual. This is an enhanced version of the common Gap Titan DX Manual document you can download from other sites. This manual is in PDF Format.
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Contains digimodes, antenna projects, DX info and lots more