Uploaded September 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
The Rybakov antenna is remarkably simple: one vertical radiator, an impedance transformer, a radial system, and an antenna tuner. But how does it actually work, and can a 25-foot wire really perform from 80 through 6 meters?
In this video, we take a detailed look at the Rybakov and explain why it is better understood as a nonresonant multiband vertical rather than an end-fed half-wave antenna.
Topics include:
• How the Rybakov antenna works
• Why it normally uses a 4:1 unun
• Feedpoint current, voltage, and impedance
• Why the antenna needs a counterpoise or radial system
• The role of a common-mode choke
• Hidden coax loss despite a 1:1 SWR
• Realistic performance from 80 through 6 meters
• A practical portable Rybakov configuration
The Rybakov is not a magical all-band antenna. Its strength is that it offers simple, lightweight, and convenient multiband operation when its transformer, tuner, feed line, and radial system are treated as parts of one complete antenna system.
👉👉 Join The Ham Radio Project Discord: discord.gg/bgpwE5WF9p 👈👈
👉👉 Join out Channel as a Member: youtube.com/@CoffeeandHamRadios/join 👈👈
Links for products we endorse:
👉Get your Coax here: dxengineering.pxf.io/vDx9k3
👉Get your Toroids here: dxengineering.pxf.io/E0xNRe
👉Get you Ham Radio Gear here: dxengineering.pxf.io/qWZLy5
As an DX Engineering Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Wire for Ham Radio:
👉BNTECHGO 18 AWG Magnet Wire: amzn.to/44m9psw
👉BNTECHGO 18 Gauge Silicone Wire: amzn.to/4paWnYc
Antenna Whips
👉Antenna, Telescopic Whip, 25ft:dxengineering.pxf.io/WOK1yP
👉Antenna, Telescopic Whip, 17ft:dxengineering.pxf.io/GbqvKV
Test and Measurement:
👉NanoVNA: amzn.to/4rCF2ai
👉TinySA Ultra: amzn.to/3PGlAfk
👉KAIWEETS Digital Multimeter TRMS 6000 Counts: amzn.to/3RrrylG
👉FNIRSI LC1020E 100kHz LCR Meter: amzn.to/4vjIx7v
👉 Rig Expert Match: dxengineering.pxf.io/L0YKPL 👈
Hand Tools:
👉WORKPRO Premium 8” Needle Nose Pliers: amzn.to/3RrjeCs
👉KNIPEX Coated-Wire Stripping Tweezers: amzn.to/4pd3PlN
👉Klein Tools Cutting/Crimping Tool: amzn.to/4pgtcTG
👉Hakko Wire Cutter, Pack of 3: amzn.to/4vWoA7B
👉IRWIN Vise-Grip Wire Stripper, 8 Inch: amzn.to/4w6ZiDZ
Connectors:
👉SO239 4-Hole Panel Chassis Mount: amzn.to/4wvCFc3
👉BNC Female Bulkhead Panel Connector: amzn.to/4gqWOLL
👉BNC Male Plug to 4mm Dual Banana Female Binding Post: amzn.to/4fbgNvI
Weatherproofing:
👉Liquid Electrical Tape: amzn.to/3STuMPf
👉3M Scotch Super Electrical Tape: amzn.to/4bDClzZ
👉Self Fusing Silicone Tape: amzn.to/4yuAdoe
Guying and Rigging:
👉Arborist Throw Weight Bag: amzn.to/3SKPDV0
👉Throw Line: amzn.to/4ydHgkT
👉Paracord: amzn.to/4pojnmH
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Coffee and Ham Radios is:
🦍 TheSmokinApe: youtube.com/c/TheSmokinApe
🔥 KK6USY Ham Radio Adventures: youtube.com/c/KK6USYHamRadioAdventures
The Rybakov antenna is remarkably simple: one vertical radiator, an impedance transformer, a radial system, and an antenna tuner. But how does it actually work, and can a 25-foot wire really perform from 80 through 6 meters?
In this video, we take a detailed look at the Rybakov and explain why it is better understood as a nonresonant multiband vertical rather than an end-fed half-wave antenna.
Topics include:
• How the Rybakov antenna works
• Why it normally uses a 4:1 unun
• Feedpoint current, voltage, and impedance
• Why the antenna needs a counterpoise or radial system
• The role of a common-mode choke
• Hidden coax loss despite a 1:1 SWR
• Realistic performance from 80 through 6 meters
• A practical portable Rybakov configuration
The Rybakov is not a magical all-band antenna. Its strength is that it offers simple, lightweight, and convenient multiband operation when its transformer, tuner, feed line, and radial system are treated as parts of one complete antenna system.
👉👉 Join The Ham Radio Project Discord: discord.gg/bgpwE5WF9p 👈👈
👉👉 Join out Channel as a Member: youtube.com/@CoffeeandHamRadios/join 👈👈
Links for products we endorse:
👉Get your Coax here: dxengineering.pxf.io/vDx9k3
👉Get your Toroids here: dxengineering.pxf.io/E0xNRe
👉Get you Ham Radio Gear here: dxengineering.pxf.io/qWZLy5
As an DX Engineering Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Wire for Ham Radio:
👉BNTECHGO 18 AWG Magnet Wire: amzn.to/44m9psw
👉BNTECHGO 18 Gauge Silicone Wire: amzn.to/4paWnYc
Antenna Whips
👉Antenna, Telescopic Whip, 25ft:dxengineering.pxf.io/WOK1yP
👉Antenna, Telescopic Whip, 17ft:dxengineering.pxf.io/GbqvKV
Test and Measurement:
👉NanoVNA: amzn.to/4rCF2ai
👉TinySA Ultra: amzn.to/3PGlAfk
👉KAIWEETS Digital Multimeter TRMS 6000 Counts: amzn.to/3RrrylG
👉FNIRSI LC1020E 100kHz LCR Meter: amzn.to/4vjIx7v
👉 Rig Expert Match: dxengineering.pxf.io/L0YKPL 👈
Hand Tools:
👉WORKPRO Premium 8” Needle Nose Pliers: amzn.to/3RrjeCs
👉KNIPEX Coated-Wire Stripping Tweezers: amzn.to/4pd3PlN
👉Klein Tools Cutting/Crimping Tool: amzn.to/4pgtcTG
👉Hakko Wire Cutter, Pack of 3: amzn.to/4vWoA7B
👉IRWIN Vise-Grip Wire Stripper, 8 Inch: amzn.to/4w6ZiDZ
Connectors:
👉SO239 4-Hole Panel Chassis Mount: amzn.to/4wvCFc3
👉BNC Female Bulkhead Panel Connector: amzn.to/4gqWOLL
👉BNC Male Plug to 4mm Dual Banana Female Binding Post: amzn.to/4fbgNvI
Weatherproofing:
👉Liquid Electrical Tape: amzn.to/3STuMPf
👉3M Scotch Super Electrical Tape: amzn.to/4bDClzZ
👉Self Fusing Silicone Tape: amzn.to/4yuAdoe
Guying and Rigging:
👉Arborist Throw Weight Bag: amzn.to/3SKPDV0
👉Throw Line: amzn.to/4ydHgkT
👉Paracord: amzn.to/4pojnmH
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Coffee and Ham Radios is:
🦍 TheSmokinApe: youtube.com/c/TheSmokinApe
🔥 KK6USY Ham Radio Adventures: youtube.com/c/KK6USYHamRadioAdventures
