Rothammel's Antenna Book - Ham Radio Antennas

In this video, we take a look at the most complete antenna reference for ham radio that I have seen. The book is available in English for the first time with the release of the 13th edition.
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[@AndyAAzeroAM]

Had my eye on this for a long time. 2 sets of holidays have past. My family has not got any of my hints so today.. I order it myself! Good video Ape!

[@TheSmokinApe]

Hey OA, I just ordered it when nobody was looking 👍

[@AndyAAzeroAM]

@@TheSmokinApe good plan. Wife saw I was watching your video and was like "Isn't that the book you have" SMH bro.. I said yes and ordered it.

[@TheSmokinApe]

@@AndyAAzeroAM Andy 1 Wife 0

[@FEPLabsRadio]

Solid work man, I need to drop the coin on that book.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks FEP, it is a pretty sweet resource 👍

[@presidentspilot]

OUTSTANDING VIDEO!! The book is going to be my next purchase!! Thank you for the 'tour' through this important reference manual on antennas!! Great subject, Ape!!!!

[@TheSmokinApe]

Awesome, glad to hear the video was helpful 🍻

[@chrismosquad1056]

Just ordered it, Ape. Thanks! Looks like a good one!

[@TheSmokinApe]

Awesome Chris, hope you like it 👍

[@davidmccarter982]

Just ordered! Thank You.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Awesome David 👍

[@t.j.speakman7723]

Thanks Ape. Great stuff in one place

[@TheSmokinApe]

It really is the best antenna book I've seen, thanks for checking it out TJS 👍

[@serbotech]

Thank you for presenting this book! My copy arrived this past week and I cannot put it down. What a fantastic antenna reference book. My God. Thanks Ape!

[@TheSmokinApe]

Hey Serbo, glad to hear you like the book 👍

[@AmRadPodcast]

Thanks for making this video.. I was on the fence about tracking it down - looks like there's a ton of useful info in there. Wouldn't want to be the poor guy that did the translation.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Translating all that had to be a pain in the ass.

[@robcarnaroli269]

I wish I saw this before I bought the ARRL antenna book. It looks a good bit nicer and more comprehensive.

[@TheSmokinApe]

The ARRL book is pretty good in it's own right but if given the choice I'd take this one... 👍

[@walteredwards544]

Thank you for this. I had heard about this book but not the details. I'll be looking a lot closer now.

[@TheSmokinApe]

It's pretty good. Thanks for watching Walter 👍

[@MentalWhiplash]

Now you need to make an isotron antenna....just because. Great video....book ordered.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Lol @ that antenna! Hope you like the book Todd 👍

[@mikeZL3XD7029]

Hi Ape, I bought a copy of this book after having watched your review, it arrived in the post yesterday. My God, what isn't in this book, isn't worth worrying about! Thanks for the review.

[@TheSmokinApe]

It's a good one for sure, thanks for watching Mike!

[@wild-radio7373]

I do not yet have this book and I love books! Appreciate the video sir! :)

[@TheSmokinApe]

Hey Aname, I am on the book nerd team too!

[@ferdinandwp4rjl377]

Great job APE 👍🏼🖖🏼😃 73

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks Ferdinand 👍

[@bassangler73]

My birthday is coming up in May, I know what the wife will be buying me this year...lol...looks very comprehensive! I love watching videos on a Computer, Tablet or Phone but strongly dislike reading on the aforementioned!!! You can't replace a book in your hand! Thanks S.A. for turning us on to this, I look forward to your videos brother!

[@TheSmokinApe]

I am the same way BA, I prefer the paper book... I guess I'm ole school 👍

[@StuartM0TTQAmateurRadio]

I bought a copy recently and it is well worth the money. US readers will need to keep in mind that the dimensions are in metric. Everyone will need a stack of post-it notes or something to bookmark things they spot when they first flick through the book and want to go back to.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Hey Stuart. When I ordered it my expectations were pretty low to average, this book surprised me in a big way 👍

[@JulietNovember9]

I ordered a copy based on your review! thank you! 73

[@TheSmokinApe]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@HOAHamRadio]

Another thing added to the list...didn't know anything about this, thanks for sharing.

[@TheSmokinApe]

You "need" it my friend!

[@labcat73]

This is THE antenna bible for all german hams since ages. You need one in the shack and one in the bathroom next to the ‘throne’. 👍

[@TheSmokinApe]

LOL, thanks for watching LC 👍

[@NaturesChild]

Good stuff! 👍

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks NC, glad you liked it 👍

[@michaelbulley795]

Thanks for making this recommendation. Honestly - I initially thought it was just hype - but I bought it anyway. Wow!- I can't believe I never owned this book before. It has way more information than the ARRL antenna books (which I still like and have always owned). It's a really nice find. Thanks for bringing it to our attention.

[@TheSmokinApe]

I wouldn't steer you wrong!

[@winstonsmith478]

If it shows up on US Amazon, I'll definitely buy a copy.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Hey Winston, I wouldn't hold my breath. Apparently there was some drama with the RSGB charging an arm and a leg to ship overseas (granted I don't know all the details).

[@Siskiyous6]

Thank you Mr Ape, I had a pretty good library of Antenna books until now. I see that until I add this one there is a glaring omission.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Hey LC. I got a shoulder tap from someone who is very knowledgeable who informed me that the English version of this book was being released. So far it's provided some interesting reading for me... 👍

[@OllieVK]

Should be called the antenna bible, it's an awesome resource.

[@TheSmokinApe]

It should be, thanks for checking out the video Ollie 👍

[@bobkopf227]

Very interesting book, I wonder if the public library would have this book? I would like to read it and have on hand for reference

[@TheSmokinApe]

If your a smooth talker maybe you can get them to order a copy, I really doubt they would have it... 👍

[@gaptastic]

Hey Ape, how would you compare this book to the ARRl antenna book, which I heard is fantastic. Thanks for the video and keep smoking!

[@TheSmokinApe]

Hey Gap, I'm going to do a video on the ARRL book. THat said they are both really good but if I had to choose I think it would be the Rothammel book.

[@karlbesser1696]

My RH is 40 years old and still has a stiff cover.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Nice! Thanks for watching Karl 👍

[@button-puncher]

Thanks for the heads up! DX Engineering has it on their site but currently not for sale. One of the best..not really books, but very educational was a VDC Electronics battery charger manual. I bought a 12248 about 15 years ago BECAUSE of the manual. LOL! BTW, in all of your Baofeng encounters, have you found that any of the 3-terminal batteries actually have a functional middle terminal? All that I've come across so far are just for show. They don't measure a voltage or resistance. It'd be nice to find on that actually has the middle terminal connected for proper balance charging.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Hey BP, I have never figured out what the terminal is used for...

[@button-puncher]

@@TheSmokinApe OK, then I'm not nuts. :D Whenever I've come across a three terminal ni-cad, the third terminal has been a temp sensor to detect temp rise for charge completion. Typically a 10k NTC sensor. For a 3-terminal 7.2V lithium battery, it's been the middle connection between the two cells so that you can do balance charging. Charge each cell individually.

[@John_Henry83]

Hello Smoking Ape. This is a suggestion for a video. "Do you need a balun" I have watched half a dozen KZbin videos on the subject of baluns but none of them answered the question of when you need a balun and when you do not. I am going to construct 3 dipoles to use in my apartment a 10meter, a 6meter and maybe a 2meter antenna. I have to be sneaky about putting up an exterior antenna out my window. But i have at least two ideas. Alternately I have enough room to put up those dipoles that I mentioned INSIDE the apartment. The videos I have watched on making a dipole, some of them use baluns some do not. I need to know VERY SIMPLY how to determine if I need a balun or not.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Hey John, the short answer is you need one. I will do more videos in the future on the topic so thank you for the suggestion. Here is a video I did a while back that should help: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bXjGiZaXbJ14qsk

[@germanjohn5626]

I bought my first one in 1971 printed in German

[@TheSmokinApe]

That's awesome GJ, it's an amazing resource.

[@mikemiles3068]

Good video 73 KV5P

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks Mike 👍

[@mattparker9726]

what I'm interested in doing is using my existing old analogue TV antenna to send and receive on 915mhz using the Meshtastic stuff. I figure if I can get 100 mile range, I'll be able to communicate. I've been posting this question on SO MANY forums and Ham channels but so far no one has given me any real helpful info, it's mostly gatekeeping, and laughing at my idea. Or telling me it's going to blow up my radio. All of which is not helpful.

[@TheSmokinApe]

I missed the question, but I'm not sure the analog TV frequencies are the same as the meshtastic stuff. You probably need an antenna designed in the MT range or modify the antenna you plan to use...

[@jest.s50si83]

Wher we can buy it or just so it? Regreds from Slovenia S5

[@TheSmokinApe]

I have the link in the description 👍

[@DonzLockz]

Very nice Mr Ape. I don't have your exorbitant income so I'll suffice with my donated ARRL Antenna book gifted to me by a generous local HAM. If you too are feeling generous though...📖😆👍

[@TheSmokinApe]

I don’t have that either…. That said the antenna book is a fantastic resource in it own right 👍

[@DonzLockz]

@@TheSmokinApe haha, there is never enough money, especially with this hobby. :/ I'll put the book on my wish-list with everything else. 😆

[@TheSmokinApe]

@@DonzLockz thanks for checking out the video Don 👍

[@JayGee824]

Hello I have a question regarding this book..

[@TheSmokinApe]

What is it?

[@anupamkar8813]

Should i reffer the book of k.d. prasad?

[@TheSmokinApe]

I’d like to get a copy of that one 👍

[@RL-521]

Ape, am i able to reach out to you via email; wanted to get your input regarding an 11m yagi?

[@TheSmokinApe]

Yeah, [e-mail]

[@chrissewell1608]

Damn. It looks like "The Antenna Bible"! I hope it has pictures, schematics, or drawings!?

[@TheSmokinApe]

Amen. It has all that stuffs 👍

[@harlanhock6486]

Those dang pesky balloons!

[@TheSmokinApe]

The balloons are how they get you 👀

[@daskasspatzle2396]

Sure, references are great. Who does not have the Telefunken 1966 Kurzwellenzeitung in his bookshelf...

[@TheSmokinApe]

I’m thinking I don’t 😮

[@chrissewell1608]

I hear a lot of younger people say Why buy a book? Its all on the internet! While that may be true, a hard copy book, does not need power or the internet to work. So, if the SHTF one day, a good antenna cook book, at your house, may just save your A$$! Plus I like a hard copy of anything I feel is important enough to learn.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Agreed, plus I like paper books.

[@chrissewell1608]

@@TheSmokinApe Right. There is just something... tangable about a real book, magazine, or a reference book. I guess we are just old school?!

[@TheSmokinApe]

@@chrissewell1608 must be 🤔

[@chrissewell1608]

Its 1600 pages... Here we go...Chapter 1! ....

[@TheSmokinApe]

Haha, it’s thin paper too!

[@captainwyattoutdoors1636]

Looks like a fine book. But since I live in the US it wouldn't help me to know how radio waves/antennas work in Germany. (Note: Before I get hate mail--this is a joke.)

[@TheSmokinApe]

LOL! Thanks for the laugh Captain!

[@radiotests]

Wth? I thought you were a friend.

[@radiotests]

Nevermind, I'm glad I bought the book but if you didn't want people contributing put up a warning. I can believe I thought you were a friend and suggested to others that they could learn stuff and you even seemed like a nice guy. Just another ham on KZbin trying to get famous. It reminded me to cancel all my subscriptions to any ham on KZbin and get off thr Discord too. What a waste of time, it's just the internet, not like the code of hamradio.

[@TheSmokinApe]

I have no idea what you are talking about.

[@andreeknott914]

"The Rothammel" has been an excellent antenna book - until Krischke and Hille have been involved. Karl Rothammel listed every source as common in professiobal scientific publications. When other authors became involved, after Rothammel became SK, the new authors left the professional course and added articles and sections of quite questionable content and with inappropriate writing style. For all those capable to read and understand German, look for an elder German written issue, edited just by Rothammel and nobody else!

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks for the info Andree 👍

[@airheadzradioadventures]

Good lord man!! That's quite a serious reference! Thanks ~ @airheadzradioadventures

[@TheSmokinApe]

Yeah, it’s no joke. Thanks for watching AirHeadz