Had my tech ticket for a little over a year. studying (miserably) to take my General test this month. So today I made a deal on QRZ for a Yaseau FT-450AT. It should arrive next week.

So plunging into the HF universe, of course I need coax and an antenna. Looking to do phone as my brain is not wired to do CW. Looking at antenna stuff, I get overwhelmed. I probably will set up a dipole but I'm wondering if a vertical will be a good starting point.

So what suggestions do any of you have for an entry level antenna to get started. Thanks.

My vote would be a G5RV type center fed 80-6 dipole. String it up between two trees and you're good to go for pretty much everything. I've talked around the world with one. They are also relatively cheap.

Palomar G5RV/ZS6BKW

The best antenna, IMO, is a horizontal delta loop. Mine is 160M. I only need a tuner on 160M. Every other band is less than 2:1. I have it up at 30 feet and it goes everywhere. It is the quietest antenna that I've ever had. VERY low noise. If you've got the land to string one up, I can't recommend them enough.

This is the one I have from Palomar.

While verticals can be handy, in my experience they are quite noisy and you need to put down a shit ton of radials in order to get them to work well. I don't have one, but a buddy does. He put it on a tower and while it works well and has a small footprint, he complains about the noise levels and is in the process of putting up a delta loop to use instead. YMMV.

Also, if you have some extra scratch, I'd invest in a RigExpert Antenna Analyzer.. They aren't cheap, but they are very handy for trimming up wire antennas to resonance across the bands.

Just remember that as a tech you are band limited. Buying the equipment is usually step two instead of step one. But good luck on the general exam and welcome to the club. HF is fun

quote:

Originally posted by nhtagmember:
Just remember that as a tech you are band limited. Buying the equipment is usually step two instead of step one. But good luck on the general exam and welcome to the club. HF is fun

Thanks Greg. As to buying equipment, I'd rather do this incrementally rather than all at once. And as fall is rapidly approaching, I'd rather be rigging up an antenna in fall, rather than winter temps. Looking forward to the new adventure and lots of learning. That and I'll likely do lots of listening before I ever key up (after receiving the proper license of course).

Gustofer, thanks for the links. We have 6 acres so plenty of space but that dipole looks like what i was considering. The radio I bought does have an internal tuner. I know that's limited compared to an external one but it probably would be fine with this radio based on your experience.

Since you have a good chunk of land at some point give some thought to a possible tower. I have a 50’ in my back yard with a 10’ mast on top. Have a folded center fed dipole and a vhf/uhf whip style. Will be installing an end fed 80m long wire in a few weeks.

I used LMR400 and N connectors on everything. I just picked up a 2 kW tube amp but need a separate power circuit for it so it’s gonna be awhile.

I’ve been hacking away on my Extra studies for 2 years. Finally broke down and subscribed to hamtestonline and am determined to get my Extra before the end of the year.

quote:

Originally posted by nhtagmember:
I’ve been hacking away on my Extra studies for 2 years. Finally broke down and subscribed to hamtestonline and am determined to get my Extra before the end of the year.

I did my General and Extra the same day. After studying both ARRL books, I felt pretty confident. Then a friend (Extra) turned me on to hamtestonline. After doing that for a week or two I sailed through both exams. Unfortunately, I'm a "use it or lose it" kind of guy and have since forgotten much of what I learned. But I know where to find the answers.

And, since I've become somewhat proficient at CW, I can't be accused of not being a "real" Extra by the old timers.

I'll just leave this here...

Someday. [/swoon]

"Breaker, breaker one-nine, this is the Big Burner. Any little burners got their ears on?"

It'll help you fit right in

I got my tech back in March of this year - then my general about a week or two later.
Bought myself an Icom 7300mk2 and a Comet CHA-250HD.
The radio is good.
The antenna is... well.. it's OK I guess.
It covers damn near every HF band possible.
I can HEAR folks pretty well.
I've heard conversations as far away as Russia and Japan.
However the best I've gotten for transmit was some fellow in Kentucky on 40m (I'm in NC).
I need to take some time and money and try out a dipole or something...

quote:

Originally posted by Appliance Brad:
The radio I bought does have an internal tuner. I know that's limited compared to an external one but it probably would be fine with this radio based on your experience.

I'm not familiar with your model, but yeah...Yaesu's internal tuners typically max out at 3:1. It is what prompted me to buy my analyzers (one stays at home and the other is in my portable pack) so that I can trim them close enough that the internal tuner will handle the rest.

HF is a fun hobby, but it sure can get expensive.

quote:

Originally posted by Gustofer:
HF is a fun hobby, but it sure can get expensive.

Yea, just what I need, another expensive hobby What I didn't spend on cigars and bourbon usually went into the watch fund.

Trying to keep the radio habit on the cheap as I learn it.

https://palomar-engineers.com/...POTA-SOTA-p572847523

I use this antenna.

You MAY connect it directly to your radio. But, you will need to protect your home from lightning so you must physically disconnect it in times of risk.


OR you can create a permanent protected feedline to your shack. I finally did that.


Good feedline coax source is ABR Industries.

Passed my General exam today. I plan on keeping my current call sign.

Need to get busy and setting up an antenna.

Congratulations, Sir!

Congrats!

Well done!

quote:

Originally posted by Appliance Brad:
Passed my General exam today. I plan on keeping my current call sign.

Need to get busy and setting up an antenna.

That's great Brad. I got a old friend that died vanity call sign. To honor him and because I like ZZ Top

N5ZZT