A Makeshift Temporary Dipole Shortwave Antenna; Get On The Air! (2020-10; My New Home in Ohio; EM89)

It might not take as much antenna as you may think would be necessary to make two-way contacts on shortwave radio (as an amateur radio operator putting an HF transceiver on the air). However, often, makeshift antennae are effective enough to be viable. Just look at all the contacts many amateur radio operators make with their low-power (QRP) rigs (transceivers) using short, helically-wound, mobile antenna sticks.

If they can work magic with such inefficient antenna setups, surely your effort at an antenna would pay off to some degree. Right?

Of course, I want to make a proper dipole out of this example antenna. But, while I wait for the rest of the parts I need to complete this antenna project (pulleys and a ladder, and maybe a potato launcher), I've put this makeshift antenna on the air, with it just high enough so that I can enjoy some time on the shortwave bands.

With this antenna, I've made successful two-way voice and Morse code contacts (QSOs) with stations in Europe and across North America. I am able to tune it on the 60-, 40-, 30-, 20-, 15-, 17-, 12-, and 10-Meter bands. Reverse beacon detection picks up my Morse-code CW signals, especially on 40 meters (the band on which it is tuned physically). Yes, this antenna, even at its current elevation, works. It works well enough that I can be patient on getting the rest of the supplies and hardware needed to erect this antenna high up in the trees.

The bottom line for you: just get something up in the air and start communicating. Improve things over time. You'll have much fun that way!

I'll be making videos during the builds and deployments of my antenna projects, as I go forward, so please subscribe and click the bell icon so that you will be alerted when I post new videos.

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Highlights: I am a contributing editor with propagation and space weather columns in:

CQ Amateur Radio Magazine
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The Spectrum Monitor
http://www.thespectrummonitor.com/

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Copyright, 2020. All rights reserved, Tomas Hood / NW7US
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