Monday, March 23, 2026

Super Mini Loop Antenna: A Compact Multi-Band HF Performer

The Super Mini Loop antenna is widely shared in amateur radio circles as a compact, high-performing multi-band antenna. However, much of the information available online either oversimplifies or misrepresents how it actually works. When examined carefully, this antenna is not a special or revolutionary design. Instead, it is a practical implementation of a well-known concept—a full-wave loop—adapted to fit into limited space.

Super Mini Loop Antenna: A Compact Multi-Band HF Performer

Monday, March 16, 2026

Terminated End Fed Vee Antenna (TEFV)

Terminated End Fed Vee Antenna (TEFV): Terminated End Fed V Antenna (TEFV) - It Is a travelling wave antenna, which has a constant current distribution along its length.

Tuesday, March 10, 2026

The Half Square Antenna: Low-Profile DX Wire for HF Bands

The Half Square Antenna: Low-Profile DX Wire for HF Bands: Build Half Square antenna — a stealthy, no-radial wire delivers ~3 dB gain over a dipole and matches directly to 50-ohm coax. Dimensions for HF bands included.

Monday, March 9, 2026

Build Your Own 6m Delta Loop Antenna: A Simple Weekend Project

Build Your Own 6m Delta Loop Antenna – A Simple Weekend Project

Looking to get active on the 6-meter “Magic Band” (50 MHz) without expensive commercial antennas? This DIY 6m Delta Loop antenna project shows how to build an efficient full-wave loop using simple materials like wire, PVC conduit, and coax. The design offers low noise performance and slightly better gain than a standard dipole, making it ideal for catching those exciting sporadic-E openings and long-distance contacts on 6 meters.

The guide explains the triangular loop construction, a 75-ohm quarter-wave matching section, and practical mounting tips, so you can build a lightweight antenna that works well with standard 50-ohm radio equipment.

🔧 Perfect for amateur radio operators who enjoy simple, effective, and low-cost antenna projects.

👉 Read the full article:
https://vu3dxr.in/build-your-own-6m-delta-loop-antenna-a-simple-weekend-project/

Tuesday, March 3, 2026

Low-Loss Feedline on a Budget: Building 450 to 600 Ohm DIY Ladder Line from Common Materials

Low-Loss Feedline on a Budget: Building 450 to 600 Ohm DIY Ladder Line from Common Materials: A complete technical guide to DIY ladder line for amateur radio. Build 450–600 ohm open-wire feedline cheaply, with less loss than coax on any HF band.

Shortened Inverted V Antenna for 80 Meters (3.700 MHz)



Shortened Inverted V Antenna for 80 Meters (3.700 MHz): Operating on the 80-meter band can be challenging for radio amateurs with limited horizontal space. A full-length 80-meter dipole requires nearly 40 meters of wire, which is often impossible to install in urban or restricted locations. To solve this, PY7DM Arimatea designed an efficient Shortened Inverted V Antenna for 3.700 MHz, using loading coils and precise wire lengths to compress the antenna into a compact, manageable size without sacrificing performance on the lower HF bands.

Sunday, March 1, 2026

Sporadic E Propagation: The Science Behind Long-Distance FM Radio Reception

📡 Why did you just hear a radio station from 1,000 km away?

It sounds like magic — but it's pure atmospheric science. Sporadic E Propagation (Es) happens when dense ionized clouds form in the E layer of the ionosphere, bending FM signals back to Earth far beyond their normal range.

This in-depth article from vu3dxr.in covers everything: ✅ The science behind Es clouds ✅ Peak seasons (hint: June solstice is prime time!) ✅ Skip zones and multi-hop paths ✅ Best receivers, SDRs & antennas for FM DX ✅ Pro tips for catching openings in real time

Whether you're a seasoned ham or just curious about that mysterious distant station — this is a must-read!

🔗 https://vu3dxr.in/sporadic-e-propagation-the-science-behind-long-distance-fm-radio-reception/

#HamRadio #RadioDX #SporadicE #FMRadio #RadioPropagation #SDR #AmateurRadio