Antennas 101 / How does an antenna work

This video is a tutorial that will describe how antennas work and the properties of different configurations. The common Dipole and 1/4 wave Monopole will be covered. Instructions on how to build your own Monopole WiFi antenna will be presented.
Antenna Fundamentals video:
• Radio Antenna Fundumen...
LoRa Antenna video:
• Build A Mono-pole Ante...
Transmission Lines:
• Transmission Lines - S...

[@JaronLatona]

I know this is an older video but SO HELPFUL. Super informative, easy to understand, not long winded...and amazing use of a bagel to explain a concept! Thank you so much - loved it!

[@0033mer]

You are so welcome! Thanks for the feedback.

[@jeanJenner]

Underrated video! I'm a ham and I wish I had viewed this video when I first started. Thanks for explaining antennas in such an easy way to understand. Keep them coming.

[@jeanJenner]

N2FLA...

[@quebirt]

Agreed. 6 years later, still underrated. It's not exactly a master-class, but it hits the important pieces for getting 90% there, which is better than watching a master-class for hours, missing most of the concepts, and trying to apply them to get a workable antenna. One formula, and a simple modable design.

[@uwuowo4856]

I didnt understand shit... I think im too young

[@ejmakela7525]

Using a bagel to describe a radiation pattern is super clever.

[@sheldonspringer6426]

bagelectrical 101

[@EC-ol8nz]

Very Large Bagel 👍😆

[@thomashardin911]

Now I know why pigs love ham radios! Think of all those calories!!! S#1t!

[@thomashardin911]

reverse thrust very good question, he probably likes ham radio too.

[@unlokia]

He certainly used his loaf ;)

[@amandhakal8939]

I became clear to the concept of impedance matching after watching this video after listening to the word almost for 6 years without any logic. Wow dude... you did great.

[@Hopeless_and_Forlorn]

I got my FCC First Class RT Operator license in 1980, but antennas were always a weak point for me. This video bought a lot back, and made a lot clear to me. Nicely done, sir.

[@0033mer]

Thanks for the feedback ... glad it helped!

[@shanejustice6414]

Excellent description of the EM field generated by the monopole and dipole, as well as gain antennas! Great use of visual aids!

[@bobwarren3898]

Antenna theory is one of the most interesting 'mystery sciences' there is. They just don't work according to 'normal' electrical theory and many people just don't understand that.

[@roberthousedorfii1743]

Please make more antenna videos! You just explained to me in 8 freakin minutes what no one else has explained to me in 20 years of casual investigation. PHYSICAL demonstrations of the antenna wiring beat every damn virtual/whiteboard drawing EVERY DAY. THANK YOU SIR! I finally actually understand WTF a dipole antenna actually is, in real life... Oh, and YEAH, what the ground plane stuff is for also!!!! 73, KD2OQN

[@0033mer]

Glad I could help.

[@CLoak183]

@@0033mer how did you learn this when many of us have struggled for years trying to get our heads wrapped around how an antenna functions?

[@ThePhillipnielsen]

I just learned more about antennas watching this video, than I did the last couple of years reading forum posts on it... Excellent may I say

[@UnExpertoEnNada]

90 seconds into the video, I already loved the donnut or bagel analogy ! Thanks !

[@NexxuSix]

Thank you for this informational video! I’m just getting started in Radio Astronomy, but don’t know much about antennas, but this video certainly helps =)

[@maffysdad]

I've watched many videos over time, read books, but have never understood my CB antenna(s), I'm not stupid, I just never found one that made sense, so I was happy to follow the rule that as long as I could get the SWR below 1.5 by adjusting the length of the 'top' part, it was good!. This video made some sense, it helped me understand concepts I wasn't sure about. The way the power is radiated, how and why the cable can be as long as the aerial, but that it's the shield that reflects the power from the center back into itself, split the two, go opersite ways and you've got less reflection, split the shield part further and you get a ground plane, So simple it actually made sense rather than the drawing in books of a upside down triangle! My D-Pole was the best by far, 10mls, and when there was 'skip' I got to chat to people in other countries! But, OMG! I actually have some understanding now! Seriously, this is like the basic 101 that I needed to kick my ass into gear in to wanting to learn and understand this topic rather than just getting the lowest SWR, I hope now to be able to look for another video or wait for you to produce one which can explain CB antennas, base loaded, mag mount vs through hole grounded, you really did a amazing video there... not too much maths, just enough to help... Thank you soooooo much!

[@ricardosuarez8023]

Thanks for posting. Very clear explanation. Easy to understand even for a non-native speaker like myself.

[@fredschroyer584]

Wow, what a fine, clear, imaginative presentation! Best I've seen. You are a gifted teacher!

[@0033mer]

Thanks for the feedback!

[@kubectlgetpo]

This is a gold mine find. Dude. You explained it better than anyone! Are you gonna make more videos where you go into how this also related to antenna math?

[@Dvyne59]

Great explanation on Dipole antennas and the formula are really pertinent. Thanks!!

[@mathbee]

You did a great job w this video. Very straight forward and clean explain w a nice practice build

[@AndrewBrierley]

Bloody awesome video mate, explained some of the concepts I thought I knew but became so much clearer after watching this, thank you.

[@0033mer]

Thanks for the feedback ... glad that it helped.

[@SteveWrightNZ]

A really good absolute-beginners antenna video.

[@zugazugaye]

This video didn't prepare me for tomorrow's test, but made me crave a bagel since I never had one. That thing looks tasty

[@JohnDoe-pv2iu]

I couldn't imagine that someone had never had a bagel before. Get yourself a Bagel and pickup some real butter and Philly cream cheese, too. Mmmm... Yall Take Care and be safe, John

[@zugazugaye]

@@JohnDoe-pv2iu I really would, if I had access to them. Sadly there's very few places that sell them and they're all just bagel shaped bread

[@ethelrod1648]

Hell yes! Your vids and explanations are the best.

[@alasdair4161]

That is a very well presented video tutorial. A lot crammed in and every bit relevant. Great work

[@xanataph]

Brilliant...! Thanx for making this video, it has cleared up a number of things for me about making antennas...and the VSWR too! :)

[@johnrees44..G4EIJ]

Thank you for an amazingly informative and concise video...so much learned in so short a time!...JR Bristol..UK

[@krisraps]

This Video REALLY Helped Me To Understand HOW Antennas Work.

[@ScottyPerkins]

Great video, thank you for putting it together!

[@SS-qy9ec]

Also you have something to eat at the end of the vid! What a great informative vid.

[@chrisscott1547]

Pretty good simplified explanation.

[@teechui2401]

Hello Sir - very nice demonstration and explanation. Just one slight correction I would humbly offer: around 2:40 you refer to maximum power transfer from a stereo amplifier to a loudspeaker. This may be the case in vacuum tube designs but in most solid state designs the amplifier is made to behave as a voltage source, and usually has an equivalent output impedance of milliohms. The designation of 4 or 8 ohms you may see on the speaker terminals of an audio amplifier relates to the design limits of the output stage and to the current and voltage capability of the amplifier to deliver its rated power to a load of a given impedance before either running out of current or voltage. Therefore, it does not exactly relate to the typical RF power amplifier or signal generator, where the output impedance is matched to the rated load impedance for maximum power transfer.

[@0033mer]

Thanks for the response.Yes .. In a vacuum tube amplifier the tubes drive a impedance matching transformer so the speaker load is important for maximum power transfer. These are the days I remember. Solid state class A/B amplifiers are more flexible about speaker impedance and we match more for distortion than power transfer. With the new class D power amplifiers however the output low pass filter needs to see a proper speaker load for power and frequency response. For someone who is new to antenna operation I simply used the stereo speaker output example as something they can relate to.

[@ReflectingMe2024]

Brilliantly explained sir, just superb. Greetings from Wales (no call sign yet... hopefully in two weeks if I pass) 👍

[@0033mer]

Thanks for the feedback and good luck with your test!

[@ReflectingMe2024]

Many thanks. Can I suggest a video project for you (and for me to copy haha!)... any chance you might be able to do a project that constructs an SWR meter using the Arduino? I am certain this would be hugely popular!

[@0033mer]

I have built VSWR alarms for repeater systems using a Motorola directional coupler and a microcontroller. The directional couplers are expensive and tricky if you want to build one yourself. I would invest in a Bird 43 and learn how to use it properly ... very powerful tool.

[@noweare1]

Excellent presentation. Easily understood. Thanks

[@rudykay5618]

Well explained. Demo much easier to understand than other videos. Good job

[@0033mer]

Glad it was helpful!

[@HisXLNC]

Great vid. Gonna try to build a monopole tomorrow.

[@StarProduction369]

Love your video thanks you got a new subscriber keep them coming

[@kidbach]

I know this is five years late, but that was the best video presentation of antenna pract app. You sir, should write a book, (failing that, at least more videos) expeditiously. Thanks for sharing. KC3UEE

[@0033mer]

You're welcome! Thanks for the feedback.

[@hadireg]

Excellent explanation! Thanks!

[@KlimovoMan]

Excellent explanation!!! Thank You!

[@espenskog8745]

Thank you. Very well explained. Especially that you bend the radials to 45 degrees to match the 50 Ohm impedance --- now I get it. Thank you :)

[@0033mer]

You're welcome. If you want to see that type of antenna on an analyzer check out this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rYOQY5Zui8yopKs Thanks for the visit.

[@TeomanOzsen]

You know what I just liked your video and subscribed you. Thank you.

[@TechnoAutomation]

Thanks for making this video.

[@ovalwingnut]

Really interesting info. Thank you for passing it on. Definitely will [subscribe] for more possible tidbits of radio-wisdom :) Thank you again!

[@TwstedTV]

AWE - Video ended too soon :( I was learning so much. --- More videos like this please :D

[@0033mer]

Check out this video on antenna construction: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gJa4lqufndd-kLM

[@TwstedTV]

thank you :)

[@researchcapt]

Great description with the bagel.

[@0033mer]

Glad you liked it!

[@user-zlcksu4asdv]

Really nice video for complete beginners like myself!

[@charlie3k]

“We’re not creating power, we’re focusing the power”

[@KjartanAndersen]

This is pure gold.

[@veronicamarquez5688]

You are brilliant! Thanks for the video!

[@0033mer]

Your welcome!

[@ReevansElectro]

I tried putting bagels on my antennas and got less power. Will doughnuts improve my transmission or reception? Are crescents any good?

[@jolujo5842]

Thanks for the video 👍

[@annelieseocallaghan801]

Absolutely brilliant video.

[@0033mer]

Thanks for the feedback ..

[@annelieseocallaghan801]

You're welcome. You really are doing a service in sharing this information.

[@TheHairyHound]

I haven't a clue what you were talking about but it was a well informed clip 👍🏾👍👍🏽

[@0033mer]

Check out the description box for more instructional videos.

[@electronixTech]

Great video. 👍

[@jackmichael9606]

Hi, I want to make an external quarter wave ground plane antenna, mainly to monitor frequencies 118.000 MHz to 136.975 MHz (aircraft band). As far as the 3mm welding rod is concern, is bronze better than aluminum? Also, when using the antenna calculator to determine the length of the radiating element and radial elements, what frequency will I input in the calculator and will I retain the 0.95 velocity factor?

[@kundaig3833]

Learning about antennas, also never had a bagel but those look nice

[@freesaxon6835]

Good demo

[@yurigagarin4974]

great help thanks😀

[@---mp8vy]

Love the bagel btw

[@Karspa247]

Great videos , informative. Im not so good at electronics and need some help. I have a Sony AIR-7 Scanner radio with Air ,PSB

[@electronics.unmessed]

👍 nice presentation, I like the demonstration using the Donat. But seriously, I like the practical views on how to create a simple antenna.

[@0033mer]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Mumsdayward]

What would be the purpose of a 5 director, powered yagi antenna on an easement? I.e. maintained by county? It's approximately 10' off the ground about 1/4 mile from a cell tower

[@vu2rjw]

Very useful information

[@fer_fdi]

excellent! Thank you very much

[@0033mer]

You are welcome!

[@learnshareevolve1842]

Excellent explanation for newbies (like me)!

[@0033mer]

Glad it was helpful!

[@anthonygallo3576]

Ughhh , like i was back in high school! Very informative

[@girl4632]

Plz answer my questions ASAP. I want to know do there is a antenna tht very tiny something like 10^(-3) m, with very narrow beam reaching inosphere. beam so narrow tht it rarely expand when reaches inosphere giving pure one to one connection. Explanation was the best and easiest. By now i have this doubt.

[@wei48221]

Great video. Thank you..

[@0033mer]

You're welcome.

[@TheMightyKinkle]

Great video

[@0033mer]

Thanks!

[@specialedday]

Great video!

[@0033mer]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@heliumnetwork2871]

Thanks, i will try to make this kind of antenna for my helium miner

[@mr.cp777]

great video..

[@0033mer]

Thanks for the visit

[@JustJimJr]

Thanks for sharing! 👍Good Stuff

[@0033mer]

You're welcome!

[@HappyfoxBiz]

assembled a TV antenna tonight, now I'm here to know how it works

[@franklee90]

Love that volume

[@ginoasci2876]

i just wanted to know if i could hook up a coaxial cable to a 32” LED flat screen. LOL. all this talk about free space and ohmes what do i know

[@kevindai1000]

I'm a rf engineer and worked on antenna in the past. Typically when you make an dipole or monopole antenna, you should connect your antenna to a VNA and check your return loss(s11), and make sure it is tuned to the right frequency. The actual size of the antenna is shorter than the calculated value because of fringing effect.

[@0033mer]

The antenna was trimmed using an Anritsu S412E for best return loss. Fringe fields only apply to Microstrip/Patch antennas. With a wire monopole the Velocity factor (Vf) has to be taken in consideration for proper antenna size. The velocity factor is already taken care of in the formula for constructing the radiator and ground plane radials.

[@mastercontrol2461]

@@0033mer rotflmao ,,,,,, You The Man!!!!!! ,,,,,, I've been reading some of the replies,,,, some of these folks need to check themselves before attempting to check you,,, Thank you for taking them back to school! it's been confirmed, you that guy !!!!!

[@ahmetozdemir7173]

Nice job. According to the formula we see towards the end of the video, when we calculate low frequencies, the wire sizes are quite long. For example; 2832 inch for 1Mhz frequency. An impossible length. Is there a way to shorten the wire sizes?

[@0033mer]

Low frequency = long antennas. Search online for long wire antennas with balun or antenna tuner.

[@JK-ug7rm]

How does RF get reflected back in an open circuit?

[@TheFlyre]

hi what about the antenna with around?

[@idontwantachannelimjustcom7745]

How did you know to bend your 4 prongs down 45°? If you were trying to verify your 50ohm would you hook it up to a multimeter or a scope or some other device?

[@0033mer]

You would adjust the antenna for minimum VSWR or maximum (db value ) return loss at the operating frequency. A VSWR value lower than 2:1 or a return loss greater than 10 db is what you want. Any device capable of measuring VSWR or return loss can be used, and tune for best results.

[@timothymason3423]

Can you use a raisin bagel ?

[@moj8945]

Just out of curiosity with antenna this small could it be made in a chip form and be able to pick up over the air channels?

[@0033mer]

You can etch an antenna on a copper printed circuit board. (PCB) kzbin.info/www/bejne/gJa4lqufndd-kLM

[@dasgettopikachu7878]

Does the outer metal of the coaxial cable work to isolate the inner one from radio waves while transporting a signal *and* receives radiation?

[@0033mer]

yes .. that is correct and the physical dimensions of the cable determine the characteristic impedance.

[@murrayzhong3968]

You are so smart. I can remember now because the signal is spread in the pattern of a bagel.:-)

[@jamescopeland5358]

Good video

[@0033mer]

Thanks for the visit

[@Migueldeservantes]

Hey, I have been watching every single possible video on antenna tuners that I can find in order to understand everything I can about this devices, I have a modem receiver that have this single wire antennas that come with a ATU unit "Two of them" each have a this totally miniaturized version of it.. but range on this particular unit really stinks. Now its my hope to increase the range by installing a good set of choked dipoles but don't know if I have not other choice but to use the same type of ATU? with the same value on the capacitors & inductor....your advice will mean the world to me!!

[@0033mer]

Start out simple. Go through the instruction manual that came with your tuner. Feed your single wire antenna into the tuner. Make sure you have a good ground ... very important. The impedance of the single wire will be high so the tuner matches it to the 50 ohm radio connection. Use an antenna analyzer during tuning to get a low VSWR which will verify the match. Get in contact with your local Ham club if you need more help. Check out this video that describes a very simple setup: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pWWWpHR8aa2qgNU

[@Migueldeservantes]

I'm very grateful for your advance, thank you very much.. but what I was really asking was.. since the one wire are already tuned by the manufacturer.. and have such a short range would I have to use exactly the same tuning circuit when I connect it to a dipole? ore will I have to use a different circuit....or slightly different... ?

[@0033mer]

A Dipole is a resonant antenna so you need to cut its length to 1/2 wavelength at the desired operating frequency. Use a SWR antenna analyzer to find the resonant frequency and fine tune it so you can feed it directly into your radio. If you do not have any test equipment feed it to your same tuning circuit and then your radio.

[@Migueldeservantes]

Yup, I do have the means to make my own custom antennas and I will be using probably a 1/4 wave, my true problem is my ignorance of that if I remove the tuning circuit... I may literally destroy my receiver.. "Since been a modem there is some data exchange... goes in both direction" that is what is digging a hole in my head, that is the reason I'm trying to find a few fellow amateur radio friends that can guide and help me, thank you very much from Daytona beach KN4GCQ

[@Ilovelazers]

But ground plane antennas don't have any extra gain?

[@0033mer]

A 1/4 wave monopole ground plane antenna is a unity gain antenna (0dbd) when compared to a 1/2 wave dipole. When compared to an isotropic antenna it has a gain of 2.15 dbi. Using a unity gain ground plane antenna you will get a about a 6 db increase over a rubber duckie (helical) antenna. A rubber duckie is very inefficient, it is basically an attenuator. It is a compromise between gain and small size.

[@blackopal3138]

lol, ok, maybe I don't really need to know how antennae work. tx for the reality check. you sell those? can you do it to RCA instead of coaxial?

[@RobertShaverOfAustin]

That was really interesting. One point; the radial wires did not look like they where are 45 degrees. More like 30 degrees. I guess you could tune the wires if you have a signal strength meter. Perhaps a smart phone with a WiFi app that shows signal strength. That might make an interesting video. Thanks, I'm enjoying these videos. Short, simple, clear and no frills.

[@0033mer]

Good observation .. I built a few of these antennas with different radial angles and I happened to use that one in the video. You are correct, the best way to fine tune the antenna is with a field strength meter and play with the angles. You could even cut the radiator longer to start with and trim off a little bit at a time for a peak in RSSI .

[@bekka1591]

Robert Shaver

[@umalivealeatoria5474]

AMAZING. THANKSS

[@0033mer]

You're welcome!

[@justinmckibben4534]

Where do I get the type of connector shown in this video?? Can't seem to find them anywhere

[@0033mer]

Any electronic supply store that sells RF connectors should have them. You can also check online. www.rpelectronics.com/184-515-1-n-female-chassis-mount-with-flange.html shop.mroelectronics.com/mro/product.php?id_product=1140 www.amazon.com/female-connector-chassis-Quality-Shipping/dp/B01CWJ4DA4 www.ebay.ca/itm/N-female-Jack-4-Hole-panel-Mount-Chassis-with-solder-cup-RF-Coaxial-Connector/272360374545?hash=item3f69f18111:g:XucAAOSwH3NXnxOS:rk:1:pf:0

[@peternilsson7582]

Thanks!

[@0033mer]

Welcome!

[@megsman4749]

Thanks.

[@asliceofthemiscellaneous]

Do you have a link to buy the chassis mount female connector?

[@0033mer]

Check out Digi-key, they carry the whole range of RF connectors. www.digikey.ca/product-detail/en/amphenol-rf/82-97-RFX/ARFX1023-ND/21820

[@JL-cu8rh]

Oh great... another number that I got to remember... 377. However, this is a great video!!!!

[@fer_fdi]

For the antenna shown at 6:39, would be ok to use something like Plasti Dip compound to protect it from elements? I mean, would sillicone decrease the effectivity of the antenna? And BTOH, would sillicone be conductive enough to short main pole and ground poles?

[@0033mer]

I have used Humiseal conformal coating with success but you would have to check if Plasti Dip is conductive. Check out this video at about minute 6 where I test the antenna with a VNA. You would have to do a before/after measurement to see if VSWR increases or Impedance changes after Plasti Dip is applied. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rYOQY5Zui8yopKs

[@fer_fdi]

@@0033mer Excellent, thank you. I think PlastiDip is vinil, I would not care on an audio circuit but I have no idea how would it behave at 500-600MHz. So I will follow your indications (although I think I wont be able to measure high freq stuff with my equipment)

[@docokd7oco443]

Does the diameter of the elements matter? I.e. I live in a high wind area. So, I am very likely needing to make the elements out of something very much heavier than AWG12 copper wire. Say, 0.250" to maybe 0.375" diameter.

[@0033mer]

Increasing the diameter will broaden the frequency response ( bandwidth ) so I do not see a problem.

[@solarmangreen157]

Thanks for the video. Why 234 vice the 300 for c that they teach in the books? it is clear to see that 234 used in the equations works well. Thanks again for the video and for your time.

[@ZikValera]

спасибо

[@StupidTVclips]

0:35 That's what she said, "You're vertically polarized"! Bagel?

[@asmith8896]

what lengths would the wires be for 11 meters 27mhz cb radio?

[@0033mer]

You can use the same formula: 2832/27 = 104 inches. That is over 8.5 feet so you would need some support to make it practical. Fiberglass whips or center loaded commercial antennas are available which are smaller but the 1/4 will give you the best performance.