Think you can build a great antenna under 20 bucks?

Antenna Challenge

The Twenty Dollar Antenna Challenge

focuses on creating the most efficient and innovative antenna for HF Bands using limited resources. The objective is to construct a multiband antenna while spending the least money, ensuring the antenna is versatile and durable.

Participants will enter a specific category: Big Box, Wal-Tree-lot, and the Open Classes, each with its own entry rules. After selecting a class, you will build an antenna, assemble it, and perform field testing. You will then create a video documenting the entire process, from purchasing materials to the construction and deployment of the antenna. Content, education, and entertainment are also crucial in your design, as your video will be judged. 

To enter the contest, you must fill out an entry form. You will then be sent the contest rules and entry times, where you’ll upload your video for submission evaluation. If you're a YouTuber, please set this video to unlisted, as we'll air your video when the judging livestream begins. Our celebrity judges will review all submissions and select the winners in each category during the live stream, providing “sports caster-like highlights.” 

The winners in each category will receive the prestigious Antenna Cup and will hold the title of "champion" until the following year.

Contest Entry

Complete the entry form online. Your information will be added to the registration leaderboard page within 24 hours. At that time, you will need to choose your entry class. 

  1. You will receive the official Rules outlining the competition rules and requirements when the contest entry window is closed to keep the rules fair for everyone. 

  2. There are no official fees for entering the contest; you are only a licensed Amateur Radio Operator with a valid callsign.

  3. The antenna, video, and submission must be completed within a time limit for judging. Please follow these rules to avoid forfeiture of your entry in the contest. 

  4. Each entrant must create an explainer video detailing designing, purchasing, and building your antenna and demonstrating its performance using three criteria, including your receipts and wspr tests' visuals. In your video, you need to include: 

    1. Proof of Payment - You must submit or show an original receipt of your purchase, which you need to post clearly in your submission video. 

    2. Narrative Review  - Your video needs to show the steps of purchasing the antenna parts, building them, and then field testing them.

    3. Demonstrate/Testing - You need to test your antenna using the following criteria:

      1. Tuning Results - You must show the SWR and power ratings of the bands you operate from. 

      2. Voice Contacts - You must make three voice contacts out in the field (any band/mode)

      3. Digital/CW - Your antenna must make at least one (1) digital contact (CW, FLDigi, Vara). (any band)

      4. WSPR Test - Provide a wspr test (consisting of 3 consecutive runs) and an export with your submission of all contacts/distances that “heard” you.

      5. 11m Test—If you elected to include 11m in your submission, you need to demonstrate that in your video showing a live contact on the same day you run the test.

  5. In building your antenna, you will not include the feed line, connectors, mast, radio, analyzer, and tuner, as these will be submitted under your equipment list. 

    However, at the time of entry, you must provide an equipment list that matches what you used in the video when testing your antenna. This may result in having points deducted from your overall score.

How to Enter 

Each entrant will be rated (by the celebrity panel) on the following:

  • Materials - purchased to construct the antenna using the following criteria: Resourcefulness, quality of materials, and how the materials were sourced.

  • Construction - How was the antenna constructed, could it be reproduced, design choice (efhw over OCF, etc.) 

  • Technical characteristics - How versatile is it in field deployment, how well does it perform, and how well does it “hear?” 

  • Visual Elements - How does it look, and what is your personal opinion of the construction? 

The judges will grade each on a scale of 5 points for each category, where all points equal the total score. The winner with the highest score in each Class will be crowned!

Bonus Points

We are including additional categories where you can earn additional points to your score via the following options:

  • 11M Voice Contact - Show that you can make a long-distance voice contact on the 11-meter band. The distance must be at MINIMUM beyond your local town.

  • Creative Elements—If you are a regular Youtuber, we award bonus points to those who add a “creative story” element to their video submissions. Creating a funny storyline or adding characters are elements that help make your video stand out.

Class Details

There are three entry classes. They range in difficulty based on the budget (20$) and what resources you can purchase or incorporate into your design.

BIG BOX (Home Depot/Lowes) Class

The Big Box Class is our Beginners category. You can purchase materials from the bargain bin Shelves or within the store in this class. You can use up to 1 item from your junk box or parts storage. Additional points can be earned for creativity and resourcefulness. You cannot buy or use in your build:

  • Any guage wire in custom lengths (or cut on demand) by a sales associate of the store

  • All Materials you purchase MUST be used in your build. (as outlined on your receipt)

  • A manufacturer that makes products that resemble a preexisting antenna, such as TV antennas, rabbit ears, or preassembled kits, cannot be used.

Wall-tree-Lot (Walmart / Dollar Tree/Big Lots) Class

The Walmart, Dollar Tree, and Big Lots is an entry-level class. This class allows you to use up to 2 items in your antenna build from your private stock or personal items on hand. All purchased items must be used in your build, and they do not include complete consumer electronics or antennas—extra points for using out-of-the-ordinary items. 

Open Class

This class allows you to shop at any store but has tighter limitations on the store you purchase from. You cannot procure materials from:

  • Specific electronics outlets, e.g., Radio Shack, Ham Radio Outlet, DX Engineering, or Gigaparts.

  • You cannot buy from an electrical supply house.

  • Your own stock or from any outside ham/non-ham resource (buddy, friend)

    All other stores are welcome. You can provide a receipt. The open class will be judged more closely; you must show all receipts. Your explainer video will also require that you follow it. You can purchase from a Hamfest, Salvation Army, etc.