Ham Radio - A quarter wave groundplane antenna for your HT

Probably the best performing antenna you could put on your HT. Not that convenient, but it could have it's uses.
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[@brianshanahan3878]

Thanks again. Coming back to this video years later to do this with my sons who are FINALLY interested in Amateur Radio! Thanks again for your work on this.

[@loughkb]

Thanks Brian, glad to hear your sons have an interest. My dad followed me into the hobby when I was a kid and we had a lot of quality time together through ham radio.

[@backcountryamateurradio]

Love home made antenna ideas. Using antennas like this have enabled me to hit repeaters and even operate simplex from deep in the mountains. Thanks for the video.

[@davidlean2879]

Youre obviously a real good guy, thank you for sharing. Need more folks like you

[@MarkyShaw]

So awesome to see how simple an antenna needs to be. Can't wait to try one of this little guys.

[@kd8opi]

What I like about this video and a few others you have done is that you show how a little ingenuity, a small (

[@bobbryce8674]

Hi Kevin. Love these videos. There's nothing like some real world testing to demonstrate (or disprove) some theory..... I've been reading some antennae theory lately and I can attest to the sheer volume of theory that's been documented - but it can only get you so far before you have to get your hands dirty! Keep these videos coming as they're so enjoyable.

[@mikelee8520]

I have seen videos on Amateur Radio and they just talk and talk and talk before they get to the point. But you got right in there. Thank you for a great quality video and the test was very good indeed. I done this my self using some speaker wire and it's amazing at the better tx/rx. I had. You videos are good to learn from. Many thanks Mike M6YMN

[@grindz145]

Exactly what I was looking for, awesome execution and helpful demonstration!

[@junkman2758]

Thank you that was a great example of how we can homebrew something to give us a little extra distance

[@christopherjspiteri]

Thanks for your efforts and the tutorial, I have a similar Baofeng and want to give this a try.

[@washingtonstatepicker3460]

Thank you! just got some of those in! Will make me a few, for GMRS/FRS and 2M.

[@WaganTech]

Great video Kevin, thank you!!!

[@theodoresears4679]

I did this on 11 meter handheld radio. it was fun. most other guys on that band were surprised by quality of my signal. 10 plus miles on my 2 watt radio. Tigard Oregon.

[@loughkb]

That must have been unwieldy. A quarter wave at 27.8 Mhz would be 8.4 feet long, 101 inches.

[@pariah1234]

I love this video, thank you

[@jeffparent2159]

On most of my HT I will attach a wire from either the ground of the SMA or on most the screws to hold the belt clip are connected to the ground. Using stranded wire makes it nice and flexible so it will hang nicely rather than the ridgid ground plane you have. Very noticeable difference when trying to hit repeaters far away.

[@nikkogutierrez5393]

Interesting concept thanks will be making one of these

[@youtube.youtube.01]

Excellent demonstration! It was factual and convincing. Every new ham should see this video and comprehend it before they throw their money away on well-advertised aftermarket antennas that won't perform. Your solution was so easy to build. Applause!!! Applause!! Applause!!

[@ianharling9569]

Hi Kevin. I have done exactly the same thing with the banana jack/bnc adapter but my antenna was cut for 433Mhz.Works just great.👍73.Ian.G7HFS.

[@washingtonstatepicker3460]

I did something similar and showed a picture on A Facebook group and they told me that I had a direct short! I knew it was working because I hit a repeater from my office LOL

[@carlylea]

Without a doubt, I'll be building a similar antenna for my handheld scanner.

[@MoTown44240]

I think most QRP'ers are familiar with that connector. Many QRP rigs use BNC antenna jacks rather than PL-259/SO-239 combination. Great for 450 ohm lead in. This solves the tiger tail problem comment I made on one of your other videos.

[@kf4dcy501]

I'm fixing to purchase a sma to so239 to make a ground plane with. using coat hanger as aerials. I used one like that to make a contact with the former mir space station. Oh and my kenwood tr7950.

[@diverbon911]

won't you be... My Elmer! That is awesome!

[@joeshmoe7899]

I connected a 1/4 wavelength wire to Baofeng belt clip screw. Same effect.

[@JamesP6084]

Excellent!

[@usarmyfl1]

Pretty cool, thanks for sharing! :)

[@DCDura]

Make sure the binding post marked red actually goes to the center conductor. Sometimes these are switched/wired wrong.

[@cuban9splat]

Very good demonstration. Thank you. 73 DE K7RMJ Frank

[@theodoresears4679]

I did try it on a cliff. with my ground plane hanging and they vertical wire lifted by a large balloon. it was very nice day to transmit. I got 60 plus miles. that day talked to Mt. St. Hi from veterans hospital in Portland Oregon.

[@agent_galactic2856]

I'm able to talk to repeater with my BaoFeng 64 miles away with a Nagoya 771 and a copper wire counterpoise hanging from one of the belt clip screws

[@rodneyjohnson4794]

enjoyed it.

[@dg1bbq]

Those Baofengs have really low mic sensitivity as you might have noticed during your test. You should mod the audio. Here's one I used for my UV5R and UV82. Just google "DG2IAQ modification UV-5R" 73's, Axel DG1BBQ

[@davidjames1684]

I did this same test years ago and found it is better if the radial is sloped down about 45 degrees and the entire HT is tipped slightly forward maybe 5 or 10 degrees. From a 2nd story balcony of an apartment, I was able to bring up a repeater about 50 miles away. It might be better to use 2 downsloped radials to better cover the forward facing direction and put some safety tips on them so you don't accidentally poke someone or snag something with them. If you really wanted a "killer" 2m HT antenna, get a true 5/8 wave (make it very thin and cut it for your fav part of the band, and use a pair of those 1/4 wave radials downsloped 45 degrees, then make sure you are Txing with nothing in the way in the desired direction for the first 100 feet or so cuz it will have a low launch angle. If something is close to you when you Tx in the favored direction, the 1/4 wave vertical will "win".

[@MoTown44240]

I wasn't thinking ahead when I previously commented. There are 2 events my club performs communications for in a city north of a repeater we use (not a club repeater, rather a club member's repeater). The city terrain has some high spots and many low spots thus making it difficult for those of us that work with an HT. Most assigned positions have space to park a vehicle and work mobile high power (25 watts). We've developed a temporary solution, works for most but not all, by setting up a crossband repeater located at a farm at the highest point in the area, but the operator must have UHF capability to use the crossband repeater and remember to pause 2 seconds before transmit, else their communication will chop off the beginning of their transmission. There are some locations where the UHF crossband repeater are not accessible so the operator has to rely on 2m. If their arm is long enough while using high power, 5 watts typical, and a plugin external microphone they might be able to use the repeater direct located just under 20 miles away. Similar to Kevin's difficulty on HT to the repeater used in the video. For the ham that is working on the extreme perimeter of the event, that can't communicate crossband UHF, its been suggested to carry a painter telescopic pole or similar temporary mast and use a window line J-pole or SO-239 coat hanger type 2m antenna but most of us are seniors and don't like to carry extra stuff. The distance from our vehicle to assigned work location is too far to walk and carry extra equipment. I will make this setup and try it at the various locations that I know are trouble spots, then if successful, bring up this HT antenna idea at the next club meeting a SIG's. These 2 events are in July. The event coordinators rely on our communications to dispatch EMS or SAG vehicles for the participants that develop a health issue or equipment issue. 72, Terry - KB8AMZ

[@ky4tgtodd203]

Cool idea 🤠👍🏼

[@w.rustylane5650]

Just passed my Technician license yesterday and am looking to build an antenna for my Yaesu FT-4VR I got for passing the test. It's a 2 meter mono band HT and I have to get out on the deck to hit the repeater with the rubber ducky antenna. I want to be able to use it indoors at my QTH. At least I have 5 watts to work with.

[@markdoyle8713]

Love it. .

[@Inkling777]

Interesting that it stablizes the SWR, which means how a HT is held will matter less. I use what some call a tiger tail, 19 inches of braid hanging from the antennas post on my HT. Tests I've run demonstrate that it works quite well. With it, I can hear repeaters that I can't hear without it. That BNC-to-banana adapter is nifty. I may get one to use with a portable HF dipole.

[@loughkb]

I did a vid awhile ago about adding a tiger tail. The SWR stabilizing effect makes sense when you realize that RF will seek out the best load. That's how multi-band dipoles that have two or three sets of wire at different lengths work. In this case, the load is matched, so the RF energy goes there and the case doesn't matter much any more. I've seen a couple of dipoles for sale on ebay that use this adapter as the center feed point. They make this adapter with different connectors. You can get it with a female BNC, or a female SO-239 as well I think.

[@WHNorthcote]

I would assume that if you add another negative element to it it would turn it into more of a 1/4 groundplane that are made from SO-239. Mount it on top of a small PVC down pipe with coaxial going down the pipe centre and it could be a temporary antenna after a major storm. Something small and light like that could have many uses.

[@DE-iv8if]

As far as I know.. In the "Configuration" that looks a bit like an "L" this Antenna is also know as an "L-Dipole" Antenna.. But it even has a little bit of Gain over a regular Dipole Antenna.. :) ( In the Direction in which the horizontal Leg points... )

[@richardnday]

I have had similar results by just taking a fine 22 gauge wire about 19 inches long. I just attach this wire to one of the ground screws on the HT. It improves the performance, and you can roll it up and carry it with you. It also is less likely to put someone's eye out. KK4DZE

[@loughkb]

I did a video on 'Tiger tails' on an HT. There is an improvement for sure. The only limiting factor in that case is the helical duck doesn't radiate quite as efficiently as a full length radiator. Here's my vid on the tiger tails. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qWnQfIKlm69ko5Y

[@PastorWmAFagle]

Turn your direction to draw in the signal the strongest. I simply use a whippy 19" whip with a Tiger Tail hooked up to the HT. Expect about 3 db improvement. Double.

[@boatingfisherdude]

wow I've got to build one of these

[@siriusham1145]

Well, nice video. You are comparing helical 1/4WL electricaly short rubber ducks with a full 1/4WL whip, so I didn't wonder for the result. Also I agree that by adding a ground wire (call it rat tail, tiger tail, counterpoise and so on) 90 degree to the radiator, you in fact add a radial (better reflective ground), although 1 radial is far from being significant to improve antenna efficiency, especially when you are standing on ground and not flying high above in free space. The only thing about I wondered is hear you saying, that by adding a (resonant) counterpoise (bend down) to a 1/4 whip you get a half-wave dipole. I doubt very much if this is true, since a dipole is fed with alternating currents +V and -V, however a monopole is fed with an unbalanced coaxial line and the current V. So according to your statement, the counterpoise would become radiator itself. If we remove the wire, normally your body and the HT acts as the counterpoise and as connection to real ground. Thus, if you tell us, that a counterpoise is in fact a radiator, that would mean my body is radiating near half of the RF power when using a HT. Now can you please explain that more in detail? Until now I've understand "counterpoise" as a reflective part of the antenna system similar to "ground plane" similar to "ground". Thanks.

[@Davidjb37721]

thank you for your videos

[@jeromegrzelak8236]

i opeded the mic hole on the uv5r for better audio 73 kg6mn

[@davidbyrd5065]

Great video everybody loves antennas David Byrd KN4BHS

[@Flood_of_SYNs]

I have a Baofeng UV-5R that I bought back in November, I used Chirp to disable transmit until I get my licence, I use it to listen to mostly the 76 repeater (I live and work about 1 - 1.5 miles from it) at home and when I am at work. I have trouble listening to the 91 one, do I have to use stiff wire or could I use some stranded wire to build this antenna, and do they have to be kept straight or can I have example have the radio in the inside coat pocket and run the active element up over my shoulder and have the counterpoise along the back of my waist?

[@loughkb]

No, that really wouldn't work well. Your body mass would block/absorb enough of the signal to render any gain by the antenna as moot. If you just have the original antenna that came with the radio, you can improve things dramatically with a better antenna. That Signal Stick I reviewed will give you close to this kind of performance.

[@snazzysnazzergryphon8550]

Also if you want if you want to still use a portable transceiver than you could use the BF-F8HP it is right now the best UV-5r that is cheap and small but I guess if you want something kinda portable you could have a back pack and make a custom box/case for a proper transceiver and you could have ur antenna connected to the case and i guess just carry it but it would be heavy but i guess it works

[@edwardneu8277]

Good Video! Thank you! I want to know if you really bought that MFJ-249 for $30!

[@Locksnut]

Yes he did, and it’s a badge of honor

[@stephenwade8093]

Thank you for the idea Kevin, I will try this on a future SOTA activation to see how it works..VK3HJW

[@user-oq3pv9jh8w]

So. This is I passed back in 1980. Best result is: Antenna 400mm-500mm long and groundplane 168mm long. The angle between antenna and groundplane 30-40 degrees. Then you talk the groundplane direction to your opponent.

[@wynfrithnichtwo8423]

Question as I am studying to take the tech and general exams to obtain my license. What if you utilized the full 4-5 watts of the handheld instead of using a half watt to a full watt of power? Would the transmission improve to a better degree of clarity?

[@loughkb]

Yes.

[@spaghettibender7607]

Are your keys still in the door?

[@robjord328]

Do you can advise me measurements in centimetres of radiator and radials for frequencies 172 MHz and 448 MHz? I'd like to do it myself. Thanks.

[@loughkb]

Search for the formulas for calculating a half wavelength in meters, and then divide down for a quarter wavelength.

[@jojojeep1]

I’m new at it, working on my license, I have an 8 W HT and from what I hear nobody’s going to want to talk to me it sucks, because the airwaves of quiet and I’m not going to invest $1000 on a radio if there’s no one to talk to

[@jacekescalon3945]

Can you show how you have connected this? I mean bnc with this parts...:)

[@loughkb]

It's just a BNC to binding post adapter. They're available anywhere you buy RF parts.

[@nikkogutierrez5393]

instead of using an old Antenna as you have done wouldn't have been feasible to to use two equally cut wire?

[@loughkb]

Sure. But you'd want solid wire so it would stand up on it's own.

[@chrisbaker2903]

two questions. 1. Did you make that banana plug adapter or what is it called and where did you get it? 2. did you try just hanging a wire off the ground connection on the HT sometimes called a "tiger tail" at least around here in Mohave county north west Arizona? Chris KK6LOP Found them: www.amazon.com/bnc-binding-post-adapter/s?k=bnc+to+binding+post+adapter

[@loughkb]

Hi Chris, That adapter is commonly available through amazon, ebay, and other sources of parts. I've done another video on the tail previously.

[@jojojeep1]

I don’t mean to sound like a dummy, I just started getting into ham radio I’m working on my license, I have an 8 W hand held the closest repeater it to my home is 3.4 miles then there’s five other repeaters that or in the four mile range Do you think 8 W is enough to get 3.4 miles to hit the repeater, I’m in the suburbs no tall buildings no trees in my yard

[@loughkb]

Yes, absolutely. The biggest factor is going to be the antenna. The default tiny rubber duck antenna that comes with most handhelds is not very efficient though. You may want to get a super duck or go with an external antenna. But you'll probably get into the local machines just fine with the default antenna. You might find that you get noisy in some spots in the house and do better in others.

[@theodoresears4679]

I like a video on ground plane antenna. where one wire vs a cone of wires or sheet metal ground plane.

[@noimnotarobotcanubeleiveit7024]

any different to a tigertail?

[@loughkb]

Yes, I suppose so. Adding a tiger tail to a rubber duck still gets you a compromised radiator. The duck. In a full quarter wave, the radiator is a full half of the antenna, physically. More capture area at the least.

[@jonsimmons5041]

How bout putting a choke on it ?

[@loughkb]

Why?

[@attilarivera]

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@samuelsmith6573]

Love the ambient atmospheric Noise video-just wish it had CW playing at different speeds and at background level - right at ambient level! Just a thought! Thanks! 73! Sam WB5PUN

[@samuelsmith6573]

Just discernible!

[@loughkb]

Depending on the popularity of this approach, I may do another on a day when there is some light traffic fading in and out. Took me a minute to find your comment since it's over here on the groundplane video.

[@samuelsmith6573]

Kevin Loughin yes! Thank you for the effort-meant to post under that video but thumbs being what they are...👍🏻✌️

[@theodoresears4679]

it was nessary to drag my ground plane on the road.

[@jonsimmons5041]

Cb banna adapter

[@desertodavid]

Yī ' Soo

[@davidjames1684]

Those aren't banana plugs, they are banana sockets.

[@titorabbit108fm8]

Still noisy