How to Turn Your Fence into a Ham Radio Antenna!

[@russellroberts2228]

A great invisible antenna for those living in deed-restricted homes. My current antenna is 40 meter loop attached to the bottom of my elevated home. That antenna works well for local, regional, and state coverage. A little imagination, as outlined in this article, can do a lot to keep your active in the ham radio community.

[@BrokenSignal]

It all comes down to doing what you can to get on the air!

[@CharlieBess]

I definitely did the same thing and put an auto antenna tuner on the end back in 2001. The first few contacts were in South America -- I said "I think I'll leave it alone". Used it for several years before moving. I think I'd easily worked over 100 countries on that thing.

[@BrokenSignal]

Rule number one: Don't fix what works!

[@N1IA-4]

I have a 200' end fed longwire antenna on top of my 6' wooden fence like yours. I use a 9:1 balun fed by coax. It works a treat on ALL bands with a low SWR, and frequently feed up to 1KW into it. I use ferrites on the coax entry to the shack, and my RF in the shack is minimal. And I installed NO extra grounds.

[@BrokenSignal]

Sounds like a great setup!

[@Mr.Modulation.StatenIslandMic]

Awesome... I tryed a random before... They Work

[@BrokenSignal]

They do, and probably work better if you could get it in the air!

[@DK5ONV]

Wang dang, this is how we roll. Good Job. Southwest Germany is waving a Hand. 73 de Uncle Günter from across the Pond 💯👍🙋‍♂

[@BrokenSignal]

Hello Germany 👋

[@W6OBB]

I have an EFHW along my fence in an HOA. Works pretty well considering. I've got WAS on it. 73 de W6OBB

[@BrokenSignal]

That's awesome. Try sloping that antenna and you do better with DX.

[@MotownBatman]

New Sub; Detroiut, Mich. Well Done Sir, I used to do this as a Kid in the 90s' I had TONs of 22ga Speaker wire for all my trash picked Tower Speakers that were no longer Fashionable LOL

[@BrokenSignal]

Thanks for the sub!

[@chrissewell1608]

What coax are you running? How long is your coax to the antenna?

[@BrokenSignal]

50ft run of LMR-400.

[@bobperkinson6249]

Does the power line that runs behind your house cause you any trouble?

[@BrokenSignal]

@bobperkinson6249 No, they seem to be in good order. I have more issues with the cheap usb powered devices everything seems to be today.

[@greensmurf221]

Would a chain link fence interfere with the signal?

[@BrokenSignal]

Anything metal will interfere with the signal, how much is the question

[@greensmurf221]

@@BrokenSignal Figured it would, kinda shocked you got the results you did. I ask because I live in a rather small home - but was thinking about turning my chain link fence into a loop, since I can't really put up a proper dipole.

[@NAN02127]

What is the software that you are using?

[@BrokenSignal]

In this video I am using nanovna-saver, ExpertSDR3, and jtdx. I use jtdx because in interfaces with ExpertSDR without the need of setting up virtual cables.

[@michaelblackburn738]

K2k ftw.

[@BrokenSignal]

😆

[@RogierYou]

I doubt if he can hear anything with the power lines hanging so close to his antenna

[@BrokenSignal]

You never know what you can't hear, but I can hear a lot.

[@x_CrossHair_x]

If that is an "End Fed" You should use an (UnUn) Not a Balan.. I suggest Replacing it with a (49:1 UnUn) .. Down side Will be when it Rains (Will affect the Performance) Wet Wood will conduct Changing your VSWR... However.. 👍👍👍 It works.. That's what Counts ✅💡👨‍🎓

[@BrokenSignal]

Definitely not an optimal antenna but for those who can't get wire in the air it's an option.

[@x_CrossHair_x]

@@BrokenSignal My Land is not all that Large, so.. (I need to use a 60 foot End Fed..) Wish it could be a Center fed Dipole.. (100's of feet either side).. But.. (Sucks to be me).. Do what you can.. (However.. On a Good Note) the Wife didn't kill you. (Another Excellent FYI Video.. 73s)

[@BrokenSignal]

@@x_CrossHair_x Thank you, and yes, I'm still alive! 😂

[@deanbianco4982]

Are those AC power lines right above your fence antenna? Potentially deadly!

[@BrokenSignal]

@deanbianco4982 They are close, but it's OK, I'm not leaving this antenna there. Onto the next project.

[@CanadianTreasureHunter]

It would work on 160

[@BrokenSignal]

Might have to try it