How Should I Attach a Ham Radio Antenna to My Vehicle?
This is one of the most frequently asked questions the team at DX Engineering receives when helping customers find the best solution for installing a mobile radio (transceiver) in their […]
An Amateur Radio Blog by DX Engineering Antenna Tech
Antenna Tech / HAM Radio 101
Antenna Tech
Ham Radio Tech: Guide to Building an Effective Dipole Antenna (& Answers to Common Dipole Questions)
Since the early days of radio, dipoles have been the go-to antennas for hams. They’re effective, inexpensive, and simple to make. But there’s more to building and installing one than […]
Antenna Tech
Ham Radio Tech: J-Pole Antennas—More than You Probably Wanted to Know
Copper Cactus. Steampunk Stick. Slim Jim. Whatever you call it, the J-pole antenna is a reliable alternative to verticals and ground planes for VHF/UHF communication. Due to their simple construction, […]
Antenna Tech
Why Horizontal Dipoles Can Make an Excellent Antenna Option for Your Ham Radio Station
The world of ham radio is filled with in-depth specs and technical jargon that could make an average person’s head explode. Folks just starting out in amateur radio may fall […]
Antenna Tech
Ham Radio 101: I Want a New Duck—Tips on Upgrading Your HT’s Antenna
Open the box of a new handheld radio and you’ll find the usual stuff—the radio, battery, charger, belt clip, “rubber duck” antenna, and instruction manual. Looking at rubber ducks from […]
Antenna Tech
Ham Radio Tech: Choosing a Portable Vertical Antenna that Matches Your Needs
Whether you’re a seasoned ham or buying your first antenna, choosing the right one is more about how you operate as an individual and less about the antenna’s capabilities. In […]
Antenna Tech / HAM Radio 101
Ham Radio 101: A Few Basic Tips on Building Wire Dipoles
Single-band wire dipoles are one of the easiest antennas to make. But just because they are easy to make doesn’t mean they do not work well. In fact, single-band wire […]
Antenna Tech
Ham Radio Tech: RF Ground—The Un-Ground
When it comes to ham radio, there are grounds…and then there are grounds. Here are three types we typically find with radio systems: Safety grounds protect you from a shock […]
Antenna Tech
Doing a Good Turn: Choosing the Right Rotator for Your Amateur Radio Station
A rotator is a handy device used in ham radio communication systems to change the orientation of an antenna. Rotators have two parts, the rotator unit and the controller. The […]
Antenna Tech / Technical Articles
Cobweb, Halo, and Hex: Ham Radio Antennas You Can Bend, Wrap, and Fold
Space, the final frontier for antenna installations. The ham’s ongoing mission: to explore their shrinking lot sizes and seek out smaller antennas that will keep them on the air—ones that […]
