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Manager - AB7RG
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Can It Really Work? (Just Get On The Air!)

Created by Tomas, NW7US on 2020-11-22

Consider: It might not take as much antenna as you may think would be necessary to establish two-way communications on the shortwave radio frequencies (as an amateur radio operator putting an HF transceiver on the air).

However, often, makeshift antennae are effective enough to be viable.  Just look at all the contacts many amateur radio operators enjoy with their low-power (QRP) rigs (transceivers) using short, helically-wound, mobile antenna sticks.

If they can work magic with such inefficient antenna setups, surely your effort at an antenna would pay off to some degree. Right?

(The proof is in the pudding, as the saying goes...)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-k5Su--ez2Y

Of course, I want to make a proper dipole out of this example antenna. But, while I wait for the rest of the parts I need to complete this antenna project (pulleys and a ladder, and maybe a potato launcher to get those pulleys way up high), I've put this makeshift antenna on the air, with it just high enough so that I can enjoy some time on the shortwave bands.

With this antenna, I've made successful two-way voice and Morse code contacts (QSOs) with stations in Europe and across North America. I am able to tune it on the 60-, 40-, 30-, 20-, 15-, 17-, 12-, and 10-Meter bands. Reverse beacon detection picks up my Morse-code CW signals, especially on 40 meters (the band on which it is tuned physically).  Yes, this antenna, even at its current elevation, works.  It works well enough that I can be patient on getting the rest of the supplies.

The bottom line for you: just get something up in the air and start communicating. Improve things over time. You'll have much fun that way.

73 de NW7US dit dit

K9WG2020-12-13
Can It Really Work? (Just Get On The Air!)
In 2003 I purchased the Radio shack HTX10 10-meter transceiver. I took a 8-foot piece of speaker wire laying on the floor and the first contact was California. I than built a 10M dipole using 300 ohm TV line and over the next couple of years worked the world (including KH6BB).
WA8KOQ2020-11-27
Can It Really Work? (Just Get On The Air!)
I couldn't agree more -- Just get on the air -
I've always felt that way. I'm using a rain gutter, coax fed at the downspout witH RG8mini coax and use a tuner in the shack. No I don't even us a UNUN , which you hear a lot about now. I never even thought about it. Been using this set up over 20 years now and I have lots of QSOs.
Don't be afraid , it its metal and radiates -- you can load it up and get out\
73 es have fun Wink WA8KOQ
K1OC2020-11-27
Can It Really Work? (Just Get On The Air!)
To borrow the slogan of a moderately well-known sneaker company, "Just do it!"

My first 2,000 or so QSO's were made using a 135-foot OCF at about 60 feet (20 meters), strung between two very tall trees. Then I moved to a lot that was too small for the OCF, but it did have trees, so I was able to hang a HF J-pole and was able to work 160 to 6 meters. Then I moved to my current house. Small, down-slope back yard surrounded by the neighbors' houses, no tall trees, in a HOA, plus I had the dreaded Eaton arc-fault circuit breaker problem, so I was QRT for five years.

But the 2020 "stay at home" Field Day followed by the 13 Original Colonies special event the following week inspired me to put up a temporary vertical in my back yard. Although severely compromised, performance was good enough that I left it up (and solved the circuit breaker problem thanks to Eaton's warranty) and have made nearly 300 contacts since, including filling in numerous "slots" for 5BDXCC and 5BWAS. Having been reminded how much I enjoy being on the air, I regret the five years QRT.

So the lesson is that any antenna is better than no antenna. Don't wait for perfection. Put up whatever you can and get (back) on the air!
N3BXZ2020-11-26
Can It Really Work? (Just Get On The Air!)
Great Article. I'd like to add my 2 cents worth. My first antenna was a 135 ocf dipole at about 30 feet. I made over 1000 QSOs with this antenna all over the US, Central, and South America, and Europe. That antenna is now used for SW listening and my current Transmit antenna is 270 Foot OCF dipole. In order to hide it from my HOA and nosey neighbors, the longer element could not be in a straight line. It has about 4 bends in it and it looks like a poorly written Z. But I have over 900 QSOs on this antenna on 160 thru 6 meters all over the world. I can't say I can work with everyone I hear, but I can work enough of them.

So put what you have and don't worry if it is not ideal. If it gets you on the air, it's good enough.

Tate
N3BXZ
W4FID2020-11-23
Re: Can It Really Work? (Just Get On The Air!)
My first QSO in March 1961 was a 75 watt rig with a 33 foot piece of line cord stuck into the center of the coax connector and running out the window to a tree limb. I have used hamstick diploes, long wires, a LNR loop, an end fed wire in the attic. and a few "real" antennas over the years and in my travels. Buy whatever rig you can afford. Put up whatever antenna you can do in wherever you are. Then work whomever you work on whatever band you can work and whatever mode you can sue and enjoy the QSOs that you have.
Reply to a comment by : WB0FDJ on 2020-11-23

When I moved into my present home I'd been QRT for several years. I had a FT-817, a tuner and some wire. Ran the wire out the window of my upstairs "shack" to a tree nearby. Darned if I didn't start making some Q's. Sure I have a better antenna now and better equipment but that first year was kinda fun, like being a novice again and got me jump started. Use what ya got!
WB0FDJ2020-11-23
Can It Really Work? (Just Get On The Air!)
When I moved into my present home I'd been QRT for several years. I had a FT-817, a tuner and some wire. Ran the wire out the window of my upstairs "shack" to a tree nearby. Darned if I didn't start making some Q's. Sure I have a better antenna now and better equipment but that first year was kinda fun, like being a novice again and got me jump started. Use what ya got!
KA1CNK2020-11-22
Re: Can It Really Work? (Just Get On The Air!)
Makes a good point worth remembering.
Reply to a comment by : KJ4DGE on 2020-11-22

Good idea and thoughts, Thanks KJ4DGE
AE5SB2020-11-22
Can It Really Work? (Just Get On The Air!)
Can't agree more!
You don't need a million dollar setup to enjoy the hobby
KJ4DGE2020-11-22
Can It Really Work? (Just Get On The Air!)
Good idea and thoughts, Thanks

KJ4DGE