Our ever-changing inventory includes the most common types of antennas including dipoles, loops, verticals, quads and reflector or yagi beams. I hope it helps! In fact, it’s precisely due to the fact that everything down to 30 MHz was considered UHF back then that this connector system was called a ‘UHF Connector’! The SMA is a lightweight, all-purpose connector that is particularly practical for smaller applications like handhelds. And if you feel I’ve left something out or want further explanation, please feel free to comment below. Or the antenna you hide in your attic, because of the coming Zombie invasion of course. In radio engineering, an antenna or aerial is the interface between radio waves propagating through space and electric currents moving in metal conductors, used with a transmitter or receiver. and utilizes a threaded connection, which is one of the most secure connection types. Windom Antenna 6 7. All of the major ham radio antenna manufactures have a Female SMA option available (see the ARTech Antenna Selector for more options!) Find more links about Amateur Radio Antenna Projects with Google Custom Search Engine. Choosing & Buying Best Ham Radio Antenna End fed wire antenna. Solidity of supports: a dipole strung between two trees will require special considerations (#13 19 strand VariFlexInsulated) whereas a dipole between two solid buildings … This is a function of the higher frequency wavelengths. If you’re a new Ham the number of antenna connector types regularly used throughout the industry can be overwhelming. While manufacturers of these handhelds are still very much in the minority, aftermarket antennas are relatively easy to come by. Best Mobile HAM Radio Antenna Mounts. Loop antennas: These are a type of wire antenna using coils of wire fed into a balanced source. It provides good gain, and can work well at lower heights. Tags: antenna, basics, connector, knowledge, World Amateur Radio Day: In Full Ham Radio Effect, Baofeng UV-5R V2+: Sort of Updated, Still Worthwhile. With the multiband HF antenna, it is easier to communicate over the radio. What are the Different Types of UHF Yagi Antenna? Often times you’ll hear it referred to as a PL-259 connection, and that’s because the PL-259 (think: ‘plug’) is the male component of the system, with SO-239 (think: ‘socket’) being the female. You can even design your own "dream antenna" using a antenna design programand build your next homemade ham radio antenna. Whether you’re looking for mobile, base, or tower antennas, we’ve got you covered! 01. From what I’ve heard, some or many of the European version mobile radios have been equipped with stock Type N connectors, a sign that manufacturers recognize it’s superior performance but that Americans are simply not quite ready for a complete transition. There are many different types of amateur radio antennas from which to choose. The Multiband vertical hf antenna is ideal for the amateur radio station. Some handhelds like the Icom V-80 are still being made with the BNC connector, however the vast majority are now using SMA. The SMA was developed around the 1960’s in an effort create a simple connection interface for RF coaxial cable. While you can divide radio antennas mainly according to the power and range of their bands, there are subcategories that further provide you with a different range of ham radio options. This means their physical length is electrically shortened by a coil installed at the base of the antenna, which will offer more frequency range without the unwieldy height. The dipole antenna is typically one of the easiest of all amateur radio antennas to construct. The TNC connector is exactly the same as the BNC except that it is threaded. Your first Amateur radio antenna. Use a separate, high performance receiving antenna. Many amateur radio, or ham, operators use variations of this antenna to operate from 33 feet (10 meters) to 262 feet (80 meters). $37.99 $ 37. This Blog is mainly dedicated to Amateur Radio (Ham radio) and contains external articles and personal esperiences. These are installed on most mobile radios and HF base rigs. VHF UHF (132) W3DZZ (13) W3EDP (17) WiFi (76) Windom (28) Wire (179) Yagi (107) ZS6BKW (21) new. Some options include dipoleantennas, vertical and whip antennas and quad antennas. HYS TC-MB90. IT System Engineer, recently started having fun with morse code and Raspberry Pi; IW5EDI Simone. The formula used to … The BNC does come in both 50 Ω and 75 Ω models, so it’s important to know what connector you are working with, especially because they will often mechanically match one another, and visually they can be very similar. At the time, I couldn’t find many clearly written articles outlining which connector is generally used in what application, so I’ve decided to take some time to describe them all here. Dipole Antenna - Balun 9 13. The Antenna Farm stocks hundreds of unique antenna mounts to get that cumbersome project on the air. When it comes to getting the most enjoyment out of Amateur Radio, there is nothing more important than your antenna system. Top Coax Cable For HF, VHF, UHF Ham/CB Radio Antenna; 10 Best Coax For HF Ham Radio Reviews. Amateur radio antennas for limited space are popular. End fed half wave, EFHW antenna. Unfortunately it is rather larger and less mechanically sound compared to its competition, the SMA. My advice to you is this: don’t pick a first radio because of it’s connector–pick a radio based on the features it will provide for you and based on its ease of use. Bingfu Vehicle Ham Radio Mobile Radio Antenna Dual Band VHF UHF 136-174MHz 400-470MHz NMO Mount Magnetic Base Low Profile Antenna PL259 Male Connector for Car Truck Amateur Radio Marine VHF Radio 4.0 out of 5 stars 198 Attempting to mate a 75 Ω connector to a 50 Ω antenna will yield less than desirable results! All of the major ham radio antenna manufactures have a Female SMA option available (see the ARTech Antenna Selector for more options!). Wire antennas can be dipoles, loops or endfed antennas. You can use them for higher-frequency HF, VHF, and UHF radio bands. There is a workaround for just about any connector your radio comes with, and usually an adapter will cost you less than $5.00. It can even be ground mounted. Female SMA uses all the same parts. Ham Radio Antenna Connectors and Adapters UHF Connectors: PL-259 and SO-239 First we are going to start with what is probably the most common antenna connector you are going to come across, the PL-259 and the SO-239. What are the Different Types of Antenna Designs. 1. When operating on frequencies above 30 megahertz, the antennas are greatly reduced in size. Vertical antennas can fit this bill nicely. There are several types of quad antennas. It was developed in the 1940’s for military use, and today it can handle frequencies up to 11 GHz. It can effectively carry signals ranging from 0-18 GHz (well outside the range of most Ham operations!) 3. The hobbyists and professional radio enthusiasts always prefer the multiband HF antenna. It is certainly less common, but its threading makes for a more mechanically secure connection. In an eye-opening article on hamradio.me,  John Huggins, KX4O, reveals multiple repeatable test results which show a great deal of signal loss in the UHF connector compared with other connectors. Because of its waterproof and mechanically sound qualities the Type N connector is most often used in Base Station setups or repeater installs; however, a growing number of Hams are replacing the UHF connectors on their mobile radios with aftermarket Type N connectors. Cable Experts RG-8X Weatherproof Jumper – Best Budget Coax For HF Ham Radio; 04. 73! Discussions about the UHF connector’s shortfalls will invariable lead to the ‘Type N’ system. One popular antenna that is being used increasingly is known as the end fed half wave... Wire dipole. As long as it is intended to be used under 4 GHz, as is the case with most Ham uses, there will be no issues. So lets say you have a nice big amateur radio, say a 2m all mode rig that can output 100w (and you are licensed). The UHF connector has received a great deal of scrutiny in the recent past, brought on in part by some independent testing that has shown a significant performance loss at frequencies above 50 MHz. A good example of a yagi antenna is the old standard television antenna. Antenna length:obviously, a 160 meter dipole will require much stronger wire (#14 Stranded (7x22) Copper-Clad Steel) than a 10 meter dipole (where #14 Stranded (7x22) Hard-drawn copper will do). Folded Marconi Tee Antenna 8 10. One of the best kept secrets of Amateur radio antennas are either the box, or delta loop antennas. $21.00. Their small size is often more practical than the previously popular BNC connector, and the design of the threading makes it very difficult to cross-thread. The end fed wire, often called a long wire antenna is one of the simplest to build and install. They can be large or small and are further divided based on whether they … If you're going to mount a two way radio in your vehicle than you're going to need an antenna and an antenna needs a good mount. Mobile whip antennas are a good example of a vertical antenna for small-spaces — they can even be used from a car. This won’t actually result in an antenna system that covers all of the ham bands, but it can be a good start. It is NOT the same as RP-SMA (reverse polarity SMA), which reverses the external housing. Get it as soon as Fri, Jan 15. What are the subcategories of ham radio antennas? An important feature of verticals is they can be loaded down. EWE Antenna 9 12. Which is the Easiest to Make Ham Antenna? There even are collapsible antennas to use in mobile situations. The vast majority of aftermarket handheld antennas use SMA, so purchasing a radio with this type of connector is pretty safe. The multiband high-frequency antenna can easily capture the signals over the different bands. These are installed on most mobile radios and HF base rigs. Because of its bayonet style sheathing, the BNC can have issues at frequencies about 4 GHz. Free shipping. If you are new to ham radio, what are the best shortwave antennas to start out? Remember Paul Neill from the Type N connector? There are many different types of amateur radio antennas from which to choose. Windom Antenna - Feed with coax cable 7 8. The SMA connector will probably be the standard for quite a few years. With a standard SMA the male ‘post’ is on the antenna–Female SMA is opposite. Vertical antennas can be used on multiple frequencies along with an antenna tuner. Backyard Multi-Band Wire HF Antennas L. B. Cebik, W4RNL 1434 High Mesa Drive Knoxville, TN 37938-4443 e-mail: cebik@cebik.com 2004 marks my fifth full decade as a licensed radio amateur. By employing a rubber gasket in the seat of the male casing, the Type N creates a waterproof connection point. Some options include dipole antennas, vertical and whip antennas and quad antennas. Here are our mobile HAM radio antenna mount reviews. The Female SMA is the exact same interface as the SMA, however its use in certain handheld radios makes it incompatible with most standard antennas (without adapters, of course.) Some are constructed using metal tubing and can be made to rotate in order to get signals from any direction. Let’s start with the first connector you are likely to come across as a new ham–the SMA. Choose from a wide range of antenna types, including single-band, dual-band, multi-band, vertical, trap vertical, wire, Yagi, VHF/UHF and HF/VHF mobile, and more. DX Engineering 400MAX is premium, low-loss, 50-ohm bulk cable with a special Type III-A, UV-resistant polyethylene jacket that is waterproof; ideal for outdoor applications, particularly direct-bury. While distance contacts are not as frequent as below 30 megahertz, the exceptional signal quality is welcome. Steren 205-700 – Best Overall Coax For HF Ham Radio; 02. ... 14 product ratings - Ham Radio Antenna SE HF-360 FIBRE GLASS VERTICAL RADIAL FREE 80 TO 6 METERS. Wikibuy Review: A Free Tool That Saves You Time and Money, 15 Creative Ways to Save Money That Actually Work. If you need help choosing the right antenna mount please visit our antenna tutorial. This is a super strong NMO magnetic mount that works great for mobile HAM radio antennas. Its creation was most likely in response to the development of the 75 Ω ‘F Connector‘ early in the 1950’s, which is most commonly used for television applications. As is the case with a great deal of radio equipment, the SMA was designed to satisfy military requirements, so even for it’s small size it provides a very strong connection. HYS Dual Band Mobile Antenna 2m/70cm VHF/UHF Ham Radio Antennas with 13ft/About 4m RG-58 Coax Cable NMO Base to PL-259 Connector for Motorola Baofeng Kenwood Car Truck Amateur Radio. Below you will find a description of all of the major antenna connector types along with a short history, common uses, and key features. Its Bayonet connection is its greatest strong point–a positive lock can be achieved with a mere quarter-turn. Yagi antennas are a more sophisticated version of the dipole and are much more expensive. Ham Radio Wire Antennas . Collapsible vertical antennas can be an excellent choice for in-field use, as they can be easily taken down and generally occupy little space for easy storage. You then get this really cool yagi antenna almost the size of your roof and put it up on a 100′ tower in your back yard. The mobile whip antenna can be mounted on a porch, in an attic, or portable mounted outside a window. More Ham Radio Links MPD Digital LMR400 (35ft) – Best Heavy Duty Coax For HF Ham Radio; 03. Perhaps for that reason it has seen less popularity in the past several years. Quarter Wavelength Vertical Antenna 7 9. Among the different types of ham radio antennae, the most common DIY antenna projects involve the quarter-wave whip.Approximately, it is one-quarter of a wavelength long. The dualband VHF/UHF antenna could be a Diamond X-50A, a Comet GP-3, or similar antenna. As a new Amateur Radio licensee, one of the major confusions I had while researching my first radio was understanding the various antenna connector types used by radio manufacturers. The antenna is made of stainless steel. The BNC was created in the late 1940’s to accommodate for smaller radio applications, especially those being used by the military. This video explores amateur radio HF antennas, looking at various types of interest to those new to the hobby. You’ll also find antenna rotors, coax cables, mounts and antenna parts here. Ham Radio Antenna Selection Tips A simple dipole antenna can be constructed from copper wire and two insulators. Type: Diameter: Usage: RG-58 type: 0.194 in: Standard cable for mobile installations: RG-8X type: 0.242 in: Larger and lower loss than RG-58 but still convenient for shorter cable runs and jumpers, Up to 50 feet in length at 50 MHz or below (Rule of Thumb) Up to 25 feet in length at 146 MHz (Rule of Thumb) RG-8U type: … Resonant antennas cut to the exact frequency, in the middle portion of the band, and used with a tuner of sufficient size, can tune several bands. Because of its threading, it is capable of carrying signals with much higher frequencies than the BNC, up to 11 GHz. Tram 1181 VHF/UHF 140-170 & 430-450 MHz Dual Band Mobile Antenna NMO Type Mount. Space constraints, frequency of operation and, of course, budget restrictions are important factors to consider before deciding on an antenna. With its larger 10 AWG stranded copper center conductor, 400MAX is specially suited for high-power amateur stations, providing a lower loss solution for long cable runs at any power level. UHF Connector (PL-259 and SO-239) The next type of antenna connector you’ll come across in your amateur radio journey is the UHF connector. In fact, as a word of warning to new Hams, make sure to not confuse the two! If you’d like to provide some feedback please leave a comment below–I’d love to hear from you! The standard impedance for an amateur radio setup is 50 Ω, while the F Connector is 75 Ω. Cushcraft R-8TB Vertical Antenna Tilt Base. You spend all your money on the radio, antenna, and tower so you look at some cheap RG8x cable. They’re old school–dating back to before World War II. For the most part the Female SMA radio is exclusively a Chinese radio manufacturing phenomenon, coming from brands like Baofeng, Leixen, and Yanton. It’s easy to get wrapped up in purchasing ‘the perfect setup’, but recognize that you’ve got the rest of your life to perfect your radio collection! Before selecting a given wire type for your ham radio wire antenna, you should take the following recommendations into consideration... 1. Both the F Connector and SMA connector look rather similar–the main difference, other than their dimensions, is their impedance. Hopefully this post has been helpful for you and has clarified some of the uses and backgrounds of the antenna connector types that are used every day in your ham shack or on the repeater in your neighborhood. And, really, antenna connectors do all share similar features, which is why it took me a few ‘online ordering’ mistakes and a little bit of research to really learn the difference. Class 1970, married with two childrens, love experimenting and antenna home-brewing. Another alternative antenna is the quad. It is both waterproof and freeze proof, so it operates well even in adverse weather conditions. Or, use a beam type directional antenna, on your ham radio tower, for both transmitting and receiving (as in the picture at the beginning). For use on multiple bands, an antenna tuner is required to match the transmitter to the antenna. Multiband Dipole Antenna 10 14. They offer more gain than a dipole, however. More information regarding antennas can often be found at amateur radio associations, such as the American Radio Relay League in the United States. They work about the same as a mobile antenna. FREE Shipping by Amazon. Huggins concludes, “The question is not if the UHF Connector has more loss than modern connectors, but if this loss matters in your system.” Take away: if you’re looking for a high-performance, near-lossless connection on VHForUHFapplications, you should probably look elsewhere. The cubic quad is very popular among hams. The Dual Brand Antenna uses the commo… For amateur radio operators living in private communities, antenna height may be a concern — the lower the frequency, the longer the antenna. Named after Paul Neill of Bell Labs, the Type N is perhaps the most versatile and mechanically sound of the antenna connector types available today. MFJ makes an apartment antenna which is a base coil and whip with a mounting system. To those already ‘in the know’ the distinctions may seem obvious, but to a new Ham they tend to all look the same. I’m still a student, myself, and will gladly learn from the folks who have been on the air much longer than me! Whatever your reason for having a ham radio wire antenna, whether its your wife, neighbors, HOA ( I hate those), small yard, your renting, your in an apartment or safety reasons or any other reason. A basic antenna setup for such a station is to use a dualband VHF/UHF antenna to cover 2m and 70cm, along with a multi-band HF antenna. Dipoles often are ideal for attics, or can be strung between two trees. Space constraints, frequency of operation and, of course, budget restrictions are important factors to consider before deciding on an antenna. That’s the same guy who helped create the BNC connector. Only 1 left! An advantage this antenna has over other types is that multiple band use is rather easy to achieve. Free shipping. Zeppelin Antenna 8 11. 2. When we speak about wire antennas, the first and foremost thought that comes to mind is the 1/2λ Dipole antenna.This is indeed a classic antenna that is not only used extensively by HF amateur radio operators but also by the shortwave broadcasters and various HF commercial radio communication stations around the world. In transmission, a radio transmitter supplies an electric current to the antenna's terminals, and the antenna radiates the energy from the current as electromagnetic waves (radio waves). Many hams like to experiment with homemade antennas, while others choose to purchase their antennas. As for its ability to carry signal, it depends on your application. ‘Female SMA’ is the term used the ‘switching’ of the male and female parts on the radio and antenna. Twin-Led Marconi Antenna 5 4. The most common place you will use an SMA connector now is on recent handheld/HT radios. 95 sold. Random Length Radiator Wire Antenna 6 6. So without further ado, let us review the 5 best mobile HAM radio antenna mounts on the market. What is Amateur Radio ? So my offering to FDIM 9 will also be a matter of 5: my personal selection of the top 5 HF wire antennas for the backyard and for multi-band operation. Swallow-Tail Antenna 5 5. You can purchase the best ham transceiver on the planet, but if your antenna system is poor, your investment will largely go to waste. They also make a bracket that holds two mobile whips to make a dipole. There even are collapsible antennas to use in mobile situations. In fact, you can take a Female SMA antenna and a standard SMA antenna and thread them both together. The next type of antenna connector you’ll come across in your amateur radio journey is the UHF connector. 3.7 out of 5 stars 5. The Dual-Brand Mobile Antenna has a three-inch ‘Strong Rare Earth’ magnet base, which lets you easily mount it on your car for stability. Long story short, the Type N connector is the best of the bunch, and as a whole, we should probably start using them more often. $218.35. 99. A 75 Ω option is available, but most TNC you come across will be 50 Ω. I’ve never actually seen a TNC connector used in an amateur radio application, so please share a photo if you are using it! RG58 15M Low Loss Extension Coax; 05.