43 thoughts on “USMC Field Antenna Handbook”

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  4. Cavguy

    Thank you so much as I’m finally getting a HF rig set up and will need to string up some wire in the trees.

  5. Badger

    A fine thing & the USMC version kills the Army version in terms of well-done illustrations & tables. They got this one right.

    1. I’ve used it consistently over the years for a reason.

      Although in terms of overall ease of use, the commo section of FM7-93 is superior. But that handbook didn’t get carried because A) it’s like 6in thick and B) if captured, it PIDs your unit/role.

      2. The VX-7R has been discontinued for a while now. I recommended it because it’s the best, most durable radio Yaesu made, and it offers the most bang for the buck. They’re easy to find used.

        The VX-6 is still in production, uses the same battery, but doesn’t have the dual VFO. There’s a couple minor differences, but it’s a durable little HT too.

        The MFJ set you linked is SSB only, so no FM and no repeaters, and it only tunes the SSB portion of the 2m band. Personally, unless that’s your thing, I wouldn’t bother, and it’s very expensive for what it is.

        MFJ is nicknamed ‘mighty fine junk’, BTW. Well-made is a far stretch.

    3. keypounder

      NC SCout recommends the Yaesu VX-7, and it is a good unit. I would not be unhappy with that unit; Its a good piece of gear, but after considerable review I decided on the Kenwood TH- F6A. Some of the reasons why are:
      Multiband RX;
      Multimode RX;
      5 watts output on all three bands (2m, 1 1/4, and 70 cm);
      Moisture, dust and impact resistant;
      Still in production (warranty);
      Allows very low power transmission;
      Easy support for AA batteries.

      I’ve used this unit to DF folks causing deliberate interference on local repeaters as well as to receive SW broadcasts, as a satcom receiver in conjunction with my ft817, for receiving AM and FM broadcasts, and to listen to airband, public service and other transmissions.

      Keypounder

  8. CB

    Now if I could just unscrew the top of my head and pour in your years of acquired knowledge and experience….
    Thanks for all your posts.

  9. Dr. Who

    Speaking of antenna’s… do you think there would be any problems with putting a diepole on top of a lanai in an inverted vee configuration? The lanai is aluminum and I’ve got HOA issues when it comes to antenna’s.
    And thanks for the manual!!! Just printed it up!

    Doc

      1. keypounder

        It will make a GREAT ground plane/ counterpoise for either HF or VHF. Long ago, I put a 5 band HF vertical on the peak of a galvanized steel roof. It got out very well indeed.

        As regards feeding a dipole above one, you will have impedance matching issues if you get too close. I’d stay at least 1/10 wavelength away.

  11. Donk

    Thanks for the link and I have two semi-related questions;

    1) I have a very large collection of similar .PDFs covering a plethora of survival related topics. Printing hard copies would be daunting. What is your opinion of storing same on flash drives for viewing with a Netbook (or similar) all stored in a Faraday cage.
    2) I read an article you had posted a while back regarding does everyone need a HAM license for WROL situation. I decided listening was more important for me than talking (even though I have a variety of secure short range devices; Motorola DTRs and i355s, etc.) and sold my ICOM 703+ and antenna. I have Grundig G3 shortwave radios, a HomePatrol scanner and an ICOM R5 analog scanner. Are these sufficient for listening to HF comms and would I need to make my own antennas for receiving certain freqs?

    Sorry to be such a noob but perhaps your answers will help other noobs.

    PS, I am not name dropping brands or bling bragging, I just list them for the other noobs for consideration based on my research of blogs and forums like yours for NPT comms.

    Donk

    1. 1. Nothing replaces ink and paper.
      2. If you don’t see the need for regional communications, and many don’t, then what you’ve currently got covers the essentials. I would however pick up a couple Baofengs to use as cheap Bubba detectors.

      Never fear asking any questions, it’s why I run this blog.

  12. Donk

    Thanks for the reply but I am still confused. Although I have ICOM IC-V8s and have listened in to local HAM rag chewing sessions in the past using a slim jim roll up j-pole, I guess I thought the shortwave radios and the ICOM IC-R5 covered the HF spectrum too. I am not opposed to picking up the BaoFengs and will likely pickup a CB for Bubba detection, as well. Oh, and another VHF radio for the noobs to investigate is the ICOM IC-F3 and variants. Nice MURS radios, relatively inexpensive on eBay, programming software and cables are available for those so inclined and I have bought them new from a vendor I found on the web who actually programmed them in MURS freqs for me.

    1. TheR5 and nearly all Shortwave receivers only receive AM, and not SSB. You’ll need SSB reception ability, but fortunately that’s simple to do. Pick up a County Comm GP-5.

      1. Donk

        Thanks bro. The Grundig G3s have SSB reception. The R5 also have a very broad reception range. I bought the R5 based on recommendation of DanMorgan76 https://danmorgan76.wordpress.com/

        That said, you are the resident expert and why I am asking you questions regarding comms and you are not asking me questions regarding hydraulics, machining, 3D printing, diesel mechanics and welding. I will look into your suggestion wrt County Comm.

        This whole liberty community mindshare is totally cool. Old school trade dittos and thanks for what you do. I travel through NC often, maybe I can buy you lunch some day.

      2. The R5 is a very good receiver, within the parameters it was designed for. I talk a little bit about it, and it’s competitor, the AOR AR-mini in the “signals intelligence resources” page up top.

        Don’t feel undergunned- it’s a very good receiver. And the County Comm unit is relatively cheap.

        Email me on the trip.

  13. Old Grey Guy

    Thanks for the link. I have the Army TM11-666 Antenna and Propagation book in original paper. (1950’s) I haven’t had time to compare them. It is available on the web I have found it but I don’t remember where. Antennas are fascinating. I am still learning after 58 years as a ham and RF engineer.

  14. Backwoodsman

    Would the 22D or the 403C version be better. I am looking to get a hard copy for the field and am wondering if one would be better than the other due to newer material or concepts. Thanks for the blog, I have learned a lot from here and other links that you have posted.

    1. I’m really not sure to be honest. I’ve only known of the one I have, spiral bound and small.

      There may be a few updates on equipment terminology (like radio sets in use at the time of writing) but I can’t imagine the concepts being any different.

  15. John Fitzgerald

    Thank you for this resource, I was flipping through it and it’s very useful. Thanks again

    Sent from my iPad

    Sent from my iPad >

  16. Doc

    Umm… I’m thinking an “antenna reflector” probably isn’t a good thing if you want good reception. Or not?

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