Antennas & Feedlines

Coax vs Ladder Line: Which Feedline Belongs in Your Station?

Coax vs ladder line for ham radio: loss comparison, when each excels, installation tips, and practical tradeoffs for real-world antenna systems.

August 25, 2026

Choosing Your First HF Antenna: Decision Framework for New Generals

How to choose your first HF antenna as a new General class ham. Covers dipoles, verticals, end-feds, and wire antennas with honest pros/cons for real situations.

August 24, 2026

Choosing Between Vertical and Horizontal Polarization for HF

Vertical or horizontal polarization for HF? We compare radiation patterns, noise, DX performance, and practical tradeoffs to help you pick the right antenna.

August 23, 2026

Cheap HF Antennas That Actually Work (All Under $50)

Build effective HF antennas for under $50. DIY random wire, fan dipole, inverted-V, and EFHW designs with real performance you can hear.

August 23, 2026

Building Your First 2m Yagi From Hardware Store Materials

Build a 3-element 2m Yagi antenna from hardware store parts for under $20. Full dimensions, assembly steps, and tuning for 144-148 MHz.

August 23, 2026

Building an Arduino-Based Antenna Rotator Controller

Build a ham radio antenna rotator controller using Arduino. Covers motor control, position sensing, calibration, computer interface, and integration with logging software.

August 22, 2026

Building a Vertical Antenna: Ground-Mounted and Elevated Radial Designs

Step-by-step guide to building HF vertical antennas. Ground-mounted with radials vs elevated — real performance data, materials list, and installation tips.

August 21, 2026

Building a Dipole Antenna from Scratch: Step-by-Step DIY Guide

Build your own half-wave dipole antenna for ham radio from basic materials. Complete guide with measurements, materials list, and tuning tips.

August 19, 2026

Building a 49:1 UnUn for End-Fed Random Wire Antennas

Build a 49:1 UnUn transformer for end-fed random wire antennas. Complete parts list, winding instructions, and testing guide for multi-band HF operation.

August 18, 2026

Building a 1:1 Current Balun: Step-by-Step With Toroids

Complete step-by-step guide to building a 1:1 current balun using toroid cores. Materials, winding technique, testing, and why current baluns outperform voltage baluns.

August 18, 2026

Beverage Antennas: The Ultimate Low-Band Receiving Antenna

Beverage antennas turn a simple long wire into a directional receiving monster on 160m and 80m. Here's how they work, how to build one, and what to expect.

August 16, 2026

Best Mag-Loop Antennas for Small Spaces (2026)

August 13, 2026

Best End-Fed Wire Antennas for HF (2026)

August 10, 2026

Best Coax for Every Situation: RG-58, RG-8X, LMR-400, and Hardline

Compare RG-58, RG-8X, LMR-400, and hardline coax cables for ham radio. Loss figures, specs, and practical recommendations for every use case and budget.

August 10, 2026

Best Antenna and Tuner Combos for HF Beginners

August 8, 2026

Best Antenna Analyzers for Ham Radio (2026)

August 8, 2026

Balun vs Unun: When to Use Each (And Why It Matters)

Confused about baluns and ununs? Learn the difference between 1:1, 4:1, and 9:1 ratios, when each is appropriate, and how to pick the right one.

August 7, 2026

Antenna Tuner Explained: Do You Need One for Ham Radio?

What antenna tuners do, when you need one, and the best options for HF ham radio. Manual vs automatic, internal vs external — all explained clearly.

August 5, 2026

Antenna Traps Explained: How They Work and When to Use Them

Learn how antenna traps work using LC circuits to create multiband antennas. Practical guide to trap design, placement, and when traps make sense for your station.

August 4, 2026

Antenna Switching Systems: Relay Boxes, Remote Switches, and Stacking

Guide to ham radio antenna switching systems. Coaxial relay switches, remote antenna selectors, stacking switches, and how to manage multiple antennas safely.

August 4, 2026

Antenna Rotators: Choosing, Installing, and Maintaining Your Beam Turner

Learn how to choose, install, and maintain an antenna rotator for your ham radio beam. Covers top models, brake types, and real-world mounting tips.

August 4, 2026

Antenna Modeling With Free Software: EZNEC and 4NEC2 for Practical Hams

How to model ham radio antennas with EZNEC and 4NEC2 software. Setting up your first model, interpreting results, ground effects, and validating designs before building.

August 3, 2026

Antenna Modeling Software: EZNEC, MMANA-GAL, and 4NEC2 Compared

Compare the three main antenna modeling programs used by hams. Which one fits your needs — EZNEC, MMANA-GAL, or 4NEC2? Real-world workflow for each.

August 3, 2026

Antenna Launchers: Getting Wire Antennas Into Trees Without Climbing

Learn how to launch wire antennas into trees using slingshots, pneumatic launchers, and bows. Practical tips for safe, efficient antenna installation.

August 2, 2026