Making Ham Radio Antennas out of Things that Aren't Antennas

[@davidsradioroom9678]

There used to be a Strange Antenna Challenge in the Atlanta area several years ago. This reminded me of that. When disaster blows you antenna away, a makeshift antenna may be the only way to get out.

[@hamradiotube]

That's awesome. I'd love to see more of these honestly. It's truly the heart of amateur radio in my opinion.

[@lyledal]

Competitive "Will it Antenna" needs to become an official contest!

[@hamradiotube]

I agree.

[@REXOB9]

Great idea for a creative, friendly competition.

[@hamradiotube]

Right?! Creative, entertaining, and educational.

[@jonmcadams5401]

Mike, about 2.40 minutes into your video I see the mylar antenna is located near a downspout. So I'm surprised that no team tried to create a downspout/gutter antenna that includes a counterpoise. Or did all the "official" antennas in the competition have to be portable?

[@hamradiotube]

I think we all thought about that but it's already been done. The spirit of this challenge was to make an antenna out of spare parts, things lying around etc.

[@DonzLockz]

haha, brilliant MacGuyver antenna competition.👍 Great results and lots of fun. I was rooting for the crutch antenna but it seemed crutchless antennas were better!😆👍

[@hamradiotube]

I absolutely loved this activity. Other than the Pizza we made Saturday night, this was my favorite thing we did the whole weekend.

[@davybass]

When I was a cadet at school, we'd had a lousy (and very wet) field day in the forest trying to make contact with the guys back in the hut, without success. Rolling along on the double-decker bus on the way home, we hooked up the antenna connection to a handrail, pressed the key, and there they were! True story!

[@fyrearm]

Awesome video Mike, this looked like a lot of fun. Like a Ham block party :P 73

[@stevenprindle2315]

Fantastic video!!! This is the kind of stuff we love to see.

[@hamradiotube]

So much fun too!

[@kennethblackwell1137]

That looks like fun...!!! Neat group project.

[@hamradiotube]

It was!

[@hectormarchand9462]

I’m STILL laughing! Excellent video.

[@hamradiotube]

Thanks!

[@southjersey10]

Wow, what a great time you had. This is the research and fun of amateur radio 🎉

[@hamradiotube]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@magwhyte]

Next competition: An antenna that gets at least one WSPR contact, but has to be edible and eaten afterwards. BBQ-On-The-Air!

[@hamradiotube]

I'm think it would have to be wet and salty.

[@magwhyte]

@@hamradiotube A raw steak. Would a T-Bone be a dipole?

[@don_n5skt]

Looks like fun. And it was a blast to watch.

[@ReedAB8AS]

Cool Stuff. Looks like everyone had a great time.

[@dannytango36]

That’s awesome! Channeling my inner mcguyver

[@donaldsmith3048]

Prof that some hams will use anything for an antenna! You are nuts! That is why I like you! 73 W4DES

[@_MisterG]

Shared this on my local club's FB page

[@hamradiotube]

Hey that's great! Thanks for sharing.

[@ivandubinsky1857]

Fun video, thanks. Also educational showing that, with a bit of imagination, many everyday items can serve as an effective antenna in a pinch.

[@av3510]

OMG Malort! I didn't think you could get that outside of Chicago. Good work, Mikey

[@hamradiotube]

It is so gross!!

[@Dusty_Ham]

This is so much fun. I need to take my G90 out and see what I can tune with it lol

[@hamradioqrp-k0klb]

Nice job folks.. Looks like great fun.. I like your idea of using the WSPR network to see how far you can reach.. Thanks for sharing your adventure.. Great entertainment.. k0klb

[@hamradiotube]

WSPR is awesome for antenna testing. There is always going to be propagation differences, but it's about as objective a way to test antennas as I've found. I'm actually comparing the Tarheel with the ATAS with WSPR right now.

[@PendejoRyan]

Looked like a lot of fun!

[@hamradiotube]

Dillon!

[@pasjeihobby]

Crutches antenna, good Lord 😆😆 Is this end of internet ? Have I now watch everything ? How should I live from there ?

[@hamradiotube]

Yep. It's all down hill from here. You have reached the end of the internet.

[@century2298]

That was fun. Digging through the recycle bin for Mylar potato chip bags.......

[@hamradiotube]

Hahaha!

[@W6IWN_Radio]

I'm daydreaming daily of stuff of I can make antennas with... Very cool, nice work Mike!!! I saw a really cool dipole made out of two crutches!

[@hamradiotube]

You and me both. All I do is look at things and ask myself if it will antenna. It's a very serious disease.

[@W6IWN_Radio]

@@hamradiotube yes I've almost crashed my car looking up at antennas!

[@hamradiotube]

@@W6IWN_Radio Oh yeah. The struggle is real.

[@tallyjbud]

Great stuff man

[@hamradiotube]

thanks

[@jamescstanley5018]

Why the heck do we pay so much for antennas!!?? Jim M7BXT

[@hamradiotube]

We're getting robbed.

[@W9HJBill]

That was freaking awesome!

[@hamradiotube]

So much fun was had!

[@1shARyn3]

creativity! Love It!

[@hamradiotube]

Thank you! 😊

[@emesselt]

Great to have you out in the PNW

[@hamradiotube]

It was so nice to be out there. Absolutely beautiful up there.

[@ryanki5tfb364]

Outstanding!

[@hamradiotube]

Thank you kindly!

[@havok4103]

That is freaking awesome!!!! Can I join your ham club? My local club does not do anything cool like this

[@hamradiotube]

You sure can. Link is in the description. hamradioadventures.com

[@aramb]

What a great idea for a "contest" 🙂

[@hamradiotube]

It was!

[@phillyedhrj]

I sense a challenge for @Ham Radio Crash Course

[@hamradiotube]

Indeed. We need more Will it Antenna videos.

[@Frisky0563]

How much fun!

[@hamradiotube]

Ham radio at its finest!

[@kevinharvey4886]

lol love it thats ham radio there buddy

[@hamradiotube]

At it's finest. Experimentation is the name of the game.

[@Ammed_KN6STX]

Very Funny challenge!!

[@hamradiotube]

Such a blast!

[@PaperworkNinja]

Was that a glass Malort bottle?

[@hamradiotube]

It sure was.

[@stahpit1971]

that was cool!

[@hamradiotube]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@phildurall7466]

Now THAT was just FUN! 🤣 73 - KF6IF

[@hamradiotube]

It was a blast!

[@Andrew-dg7qm]

Awesome

[@hamradiotube]

thank you

[@dougdaniels]

We need a Ham Radio Adventures contingent in New England.

[@mattquince6508]

We have a few guys out there. Just need people to plan events out there

[@dougdaniels]

@@mattquince6508 How do I get in touch with people in my area?

[@mattquince6508]

We are all one club. Join up and start planning stuff with people. HRA is a ARRL affiliated club. It was started by myself and a guy that lives in Washington state. All it takes is a person on the ground to plan out the event. People will come.

[@dougdaniels]

@@mattquince6508 Joined

[@AliReza-zx8km]

Nice......... 💝

[@hamradiotube]

Thank you so much 😀

[@bak4320]

Recent sub to the channel - I'm just commenting to defend the finest Bäsk liquor outside of Sweden.

[@DagonNaxos]

Malort? 🤢🤮

[@hamradiotube]

Yep. The grossest liquid known to man.