TINY HF ANTENNA FOR A TINY GARDEN - Fulfil Your Dream!

Many hams around the world have small gardens or back yards. They dream of operating on the HF bands but wonder if there is an antenna system that will fulfil their dreams. peter G3OJV, describes a system that might be the answer.

[@bassangler73]

You don't have to apologize for talking in feet and inches for us guys in the States...keeps me from having to do the math in my head...ha ha

[@madcarew5168]

Always good stuff..please excuse me (67yrs) but we don't all last for ever.You say ideas you've had..Why not put these down ..just loosely..not too much tech. Unless needed ,into a "coffee table" type book that we can pick up,put down,and think on .....not saying you're going anywhere soon but just a thought about a lifetime of"A Hobby"..!! 73

[@bassangler73]

I second that idea

[@robzingarelli2609]

What a beautiful, elegant solution. It looks easy to put up at a campsite. I'll be building one soon. Thanks!

[@elwood.downey]

a remarkably flexible system, I will explore further, many thanks.

[@l.a.2646]

thanks for the idea Peter, people such as myself have postage stamp gardens are always looking for a small HF antenna that fits . this design is a little bit like G7FEK's nested dipole type. - that's another antenna I'd like to try - more bands covered albeit more room needed. thanks and 73

[@KE5KWE]

Yes indeed THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR KNOWLEDGE

[@Steve-GM0HUU]

Reminded me a little of G7FEK also. I put up a G7FEK a few years ago and it certainly works. I have found mine works best on 60, 17, 15, 12 & 10. Not great on 80, 40, 30 or 20. However, to be fair, I have never taken the time to properly match it for these bands (main bands I use it for is 60/17/12, so not too bothered about the others).

[@m3uec]

Good interesting video.

[@minnowpoo]

.thanks stay kool bro

[@Colin_In_VK]

You should do a shop tour video.

[@shandybrandy5407]

I have just bought the FT891 today, but it will be delivered only between 05 and 18 Jan '23. I want to build this amazing multi band HF antenna but the ladderline type of wire is very difficult to get it here at Delhi Thank you for this lovely video, Cheers!

[@watersstanton]

Hi there. You can always make your own ladder line. Get two lengths of wire and space them around 4cms apart with bits of plastic or wood. The spacing is not critical. 73 Peter.

[@shandybrandy5407]

@@watersstanton thank you Sir for the response. I shall now try to make the ladderline wire spacing it with strips of wood or plastic. I have another question for your perusal. It may take sometime for me to save some money again to acquire an antenna tuner for my FT891. Therefore, I wanted to know after building the proposed multi band antenna as described in the video, is there a way to make it pre-resonant SWR with the rig. The point is I do not have any fancy equipments to find the SWR or tune the antenna to an acceptable level which may not harm the rig. I have been watching your video presentations since the past couple of years and truly appreciate all the efforts you take to bring it to the viewers Thanking you and wish you a blessed day ahead Cheers!

[@johnharrison5703]

I have tried this antenna in my small garden. I had problems getting the ladder line in the open and that seems to be important as it forms part of the radiating element. I also have issues with radials in my setup due to lack of space

[@watersstanton]

You do need the ladder line in the open or against a fibre glass pole. Radials are needed, but short ones work.

[@paul.alarner6410]

how would it perform for nvis on 80?,73 de m3vuv.

[@watersstanton]

Probably at least as well as the one in your transceiver! 73 Peter

[@paul.alarner6410]

@@watersstanton i am talking about near verticle incidence skywave,ie 200-300 contacts,you say it is like a verticle,so does that mean a low take off angle,ie rubbish for local nvis?.73

[@StreakyP]

alternatives to a copper earth rod.... bury a discarded old stainless steal sink (or the internal stainless "box" from a dead microwave oven) OR the metal screw self drilling rotary clothes drier (whirly-line) bases are cheap as chips & easily available, can be a good earth plus can also support the fibreglass fishing rod "mast" (& for planning restrictions "temporary" set-ups are exempt so if you have a rotary washing line on the grass during the week and swap it for a 30' vertical at the weekend then they cannot complain)

[@watersstanton]

Remember that RF travels on the surface and so the important aspect is the proximity of surface conductivity and not depth. 73 Peter.

[@markramsay6399]

Nice video, thanks. Mark. 2E0MSR