What kind of shortwave antennas do you use

The antennas of amateur shortwave radio and UV handheld radio are very different. The communication of shortwave radio stations mainly relies on ionospheric reflection, which can easily connect thousands of kilometers or even tens of thousands of kilometers. The shortwave frequency is much lower than the UV band, so the shortwave radio antenna is much larger than the UV band antenna.

There are many types of short-wave antennas, there are finished products or self-made, the price difference is from hundreds to tens of thousands.  Large antennas have good performance and many bands, but they occupy a large area and generally need to be installed on an antenna tower. So purchase antennas must choose the appropriate antenna or a combination of multiple antennas according to their actual situation. 

Shortwave antennas commonly used by amateur radio enthusiasts: 

DP antenna:

It is the abbreviation of Dipole, which is a very basic form of antenna. Many antennas are built on it, but it is more troublesome to set up.
Two support rods are required. Due to the central feed, the antenna's own weight plus the weight of the feeder even requires three support rods. Its impedance is greater than 50Ω, which is not conducive to the use of common 50Ω feeder transmission.

Inverted V antenna:

Deformed erection form of DP antenna, low cost, very easy to make, careful and easy to debug successfully. It can also make multi-bands conveniently, and it is very simple to set up, requiring only one support rod. But its gain is slightly lower than the DP antenna. Like our Inverted V antenna on 14M frequency, which is easy to connect to Japan, as well as Europe, Russia, and Southeast Asia. Many shortwave radio enthusiasts use this antenna, the disadvantage is that it occupies a large area and is suitable for erecting on the roof or in the field.

Positive V antenna:

The cost is moderate, the coverage frequency range is large, and the installation is slightly complicated.
Compared with inverted V, it is easy to increase the erection height.  The small area is long-term suitable for roof erection and field erection.

End Fed Half-Wave Antenna

The minimum operating frequency of such an antenna is half the length of the wavelength. That is, the 20-meter long vibrator can work at a minimum of 40 meters. For the 20-meter band is a wavelength, the 15-meter band is 1.5 times the wavelength, and the 10-meter band is 2 times the wavelength, so there is no need to use antenna tuner.  

GP antenna:

Ground Plane referred to as GP, vertical ground antenna. When using it, we must pay attention to the laying of the ground network, which is the focus of the GP antenna.

Shortwave Antenna:

It is very directional and can be used globally with the antenna rotator. It covers a large area and is suitable for building roofs and competition bases.

There are many types of shortwave antennas. Choose the appropriate antenna or combination according to your actual situation.