End-Fed Antennas: The EFHW Explained Properly, Built Correctly, and used Effectively (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9798255872282)

The end-fed half-wave (EFHW) antenna has become one of the most popular antennas in amateur radio-and one of the most misunderstood.

Some operators find it simple and effective. Others struggle with noise, RF in the shack, unstable SWR, and inconsistent performance.

The difference is not luck.

It is understanding.

In End-Fed Antennas: The EFHW Explained, Built Correctly, and Used Effectively, Terry W. Platt, NN4Y, takes a clear, practical approach to one of amateur radio's most widely used wire antennas. This is not a theoretical treatment-it is a real-world guide built on experience, careful observation, and proven results.

Starting with the fundamentals, the book explains how and why the EFHW works, including voltage, current, impedance, and resonance. From there, it walks step-by-step through building a reliable transformer, selecting proper materials, and avoiding common construction mistakes.

But building the antenna is only part of the story.

This guide goes further, covering:

• Wire lengths, harmonics, and multiband operation
• Portable setups, including Parks on the Air (POTA) field use
• HOA and stealth installations where antennas must remain unseen
• Permanent installations built for long-term reliability
• RF in the shack and how to eliminate it
• The importance of common-mode chokes and proper current control
• Noise, grounding, and counterpoise considerations
• Power limits, heating, and safe operation
• Linked EFHW antennas, traps, and loading techniques
• Troubleshooting SWR problems with a practical, step-by-step approach
• How the EFHW compares to other antennas-and when it should (and should not) be used

Throughout the book, complex ideas are explained in plain language, with a focus on cause and effect rather than theory alone.

Whether you are building your first HF antenna or refining an existing setup, this book provides the knowledge needed to make the EFHW work as it should-reliably, predictably, and effectively.

This is not a book about chasing perfect numbers.

It is about building an antenna that works-and understanding why it works.