Build the Shorty Forty — a compact 7 MHz dipole using center-loaded coils to shrink a 40 m antenna to 25 ft while maintaining resonance and solid HF performance in limited space
DIY
“DIY” on DXR Electronics Bits is where practical ham radio projects come to life. Here you’ll find buildable circuits, antennas, receivers, preamps, audio tools, and experimental rigs designed for real‑world shack and field use. From compact HF antennas for small spaces to regenerative receivers, QRP transmitters, and uBITX add‑ons, each article focuses on parts you can actually source and solder on the bench.
Build Your Own Indoor Antenna for 7 MHz HF Band
Build a compact indoor 7 MHz (40 m) HF antenna using coil-loaded wire sections and 75 Ω feed — a stealth, space-saving solution for apartment and indoor ham radio operation
40m Vertical Antenna: Compact Base-Loaded Design for Powerful HF Operation
Build a compact 40 m vertical antenna using a 3.4 m radiator and 15 µH base-loading coil — a shortened quarter-wave HF vertical delivering strong 7 MHz DX from limited space.
Compact 40M HF Antennas: Short Dipoles & Short Verticals
Explore compact 40 m HF antennas including shortened dipoles and base-loaded verticals for space-limited ham radio setups. Practical designs enable effective 7 MHz operation in small yards, portable, or restricted installations
GM4JMU Shortened Dipole Antenna: Compact Performance for HF Bands
The GM4JMU shortened dipole uses loading coils to deliver full 40 m band performance in under 10 m span. Ideal compact HF antenna for small gardens, rooftops, and portable ham radio installations.
145 MHZ Delta Loop VHF Antenna
Build your own Delta Loop VHF antenna for 145 MHz with our clear diagram, dimensions, instructions, explains construction, feed point, and tuning tips.
Aperiodic Multiband Wire Antenna: A Simple and Effective Design
Aperiodic multiband wire antenna design by HB9KX/DK7ZB: 10.5 m asymmetrical dipole with resistive loading for broadband HF coverage without complex tuning
Multi Band Capacitor Loaded Shortened Dipole Antenna
Space is often a premium for radio amateurs, but you don’t have to sacrifice performance to enjoy HF bands. The capacitor-loaded shortened dipole antenna, popularized by G7UNF, is a compact, multi-band antenna design that uses a center-mounted adjustable capacitor to tune resonance across several amateur radio bands. This post explains how the antenna works, gives […]
HF Delta Loop Antenna
The delta loop antenna represents one of the most versatile and efficient antenna designs for HF amateur radio operations. This triangular closed-loop antenna configuration offers excellent performance characteristics while maintaining relatively simple construction requirements. Understanding the fundamental principles, design considerations, and performance characteristics of delta loop antennas is essential for amateur radio operators seeking to […]
The Ultimate DIY Guide to Setting Up a GOES-R Series Satellite Receiver for High-Resolution Weather Imagery
GOES-R satellite reception guide — assemble an L-band dish/patch, filtered LNA, and RTL-SDR to capture continuous high-resolution weather imagery without internet