Best ARRL antenna book?

[W0EA]

I'm looking at buying a new logbook and I figured since I'd have to pay the same in shipping, I want to get an antenna book as well from the ARRL. If you had to pick, which one would you get and why?

I'm interested in QRP and portable setups as well as antenna restricted spaces and such, so please don't include Low Band DX and such :P

Thanks for the help!

[AB1GA]

For a first antenna book, I've liked "Simple and Fun Antennas for the Radio Amateur", but I can't remember how deeply it goes into mobile antennas, if at all.

The Antenna Book is the standard, but a bit expensive when new. The League is clearing out the 2007 edition for $20, or you can go even cheaper by looking at a hamfest for even older editions, which also work just fine.

The new book "Basic Antennas" looks interesting, but I haven't had the chance to take an "up close and personal" look at it. It looks like a candidate for best first antenna book, and I think it covers mobile installations.

.dale.

[W0EA]

Thanks Dale.

Anybody else?

[AF6LJ]

I have the antenna book;
It makes a good reference with some useful projects.
The copy I have also has the CD with the book in searchable form and the usual complement of useful software.

My only regrets are
The book doesn't contain much in the way of tuners and doesn't contain a truly fully balanced tuner.
The book also doesn't go in depth enough on baluns and transformers. (transmission line or otherwise)

[W0EA]

AF6LJ: Which antenna book?

[AB1GA]

Another group of books you might want to look at are those published by the RSGB and sold by ARRL. My favorite is "Backyard Antennas", but "HF Antennas for All Locations" is also quite good.

The RSGB publications are a bit more expensive than their US counterparts, but I find them somehow richer in explaining theory and providing hints for construction. For instance, there is a section on a balanced line tuner in "Backyard Antennas" - with plug-in coils, built using banana plugs and particle board! Ham radio at its finest!

[KB3LAZ]

I like to purchase books that are older than I. Not hard to do in this hobby. Then again I have been told that my interests are kind of archaic.

You asked Sue, "which book". She said it comes with a cd so it is probably a relatively new copy. This is one case where I dont see the age of the book making too large of a difference. But as I rule the older the book the better it tends to explain theory and process.

GL and 73 om.

[KA4DPO]

The 1955 through 1970 ARRL antenna books are better than the new ones in my opinion.

[KB3LAZ]

The 1955 through 1970 ARRL antenna books are better than the new ones in my opinion.

Thanks for the insight! I guess the rule is the same no matter the book.

[K3STX]

You don't want to hear me say "Low Band DXing", but it really IS the best antenna book. There is plenty there for stealth/QRP. A wire is a wire. I have the ARRL Antenna Book too but always refer back to Low Band DXing as a reference.

paul