Antenna noobie projects

[m0ngoose]

Hi everyone,

I'm fairly new to antennas but have a very strong interest in the subject and would like to learn more and start doing more hands on learning. I have been reading a lot through online articles and books like Balanis to learn the basics like gain and directivity etc., but have zero experience in actually building something. I have a lot of time to devote to it right now so would like to know what you all suggest as some good starting projects to learn the basics from.

I'm new to these forums but I plan to be a regular visitor from now on!

Thanks

 

[VEBill]

I recommend any of the ARRL antenna books.

ARRL is the US amateur radio organization. You can probably find these books on-line, or at a local ham radio shop. Building and actually using antennas of all descriptions is one of the primary activities undertaken by ham radio enthusiasts.

 

[m0ngoose]

Thanks VE1BLL... does the ARRL book have introductory projects? Of course I'd like to advance to more in depth projects, but right now I really have no hands on experience with antennas

 

[VEBill]

Sure. Start with random wires, dipoles and loops for HF (shortwave). Then try Yagis for VHF or UHF. The sky is the limit.

 

[m0ngoose]

Great! I'll try checking out a local bookstore to get this book tomorrow.... how about all the hardwire etc. that I'll need? Will Fry's electronics work?

 

[VEBill]

Antennas are simply conductors. They can be made from almost any sort of wire or tubing. Material selection is only important if you want it to last a long time. For experimenting, it matters less.

Watch out for power lines. Beware of lightning.

 

[m0ngoose]

Certainly I'll need more than wire to make use of the antennas though, right? I'd like to see the fruit of creating the antenna (i.e., the application) and see it in action along with bending the wires etc... which is why I figured I'd need more hardware

 

[m0ngoose]

FYI I ordered the ARRL Antenna book and I'm looking forward to it coming in a few days

 

[Higgler]

Get David M. Pozar's books on patch antennas, yellow colored book cover. These are typically high frequency antennas though and ARRL are low frequency.