HAM RADIO: Lightweight & Portable End Fed Halfwave for 2 Metres

A VERY easy to make, effective antenna for 2 Meters. Very cheap to build and performs really well as a portable antenna.

[@2m0rot]

Brilliant antennas. I had a 60 mile QSO this evening from my home QTH to a station in Edinburgh.

[@timg5tm941]

Fab stuff!

[@ZL1BQDRoly]

Make sure you wind the coil section anti-clockwise if you are in the Southern Hemisphere................................................ (kidding)

[@timg5tm941]

Ha!!!!

[@ianxfs]

Useful antenna and nice simple first project for someone to start with 👍🏻

[@timg5tm941]

Agree Ian 73

[@OnTheMicwithMike]

Excellent as always. I’ll be giving this a go over the weekend for sure :)

[@timg5tm941]

Thanks mate 73

[@nethoncho]

I am going to build one of these. Awesome video, thanks for sharing

[@timg5tm941]

Thanks Ben, good luck with the build and enjoy! 73

[@radiojourney3515]

Thank you Tim, this is very helpful. I am going to attempt to make one and test on my POTA activations with my handheld Anytone 868.

[@timg5tm941]

Brilliant! Let me know how it performs

[@radiojourney3515]

@@timg5tm941 Will do , probably make a video and upload it to my channel .

[@rogerbirchall9037]

Made this morning for my Baofeng 4 watt , put on end of 7metre pole , first contact 30 miles. Thanks Tim

[@timg5tm941]

Brilliant Roger!

[@mikesmith5139]

Hi Tim. Thank you again for this video. I have just made mine this afternoon. I have used RG58 in 20mm PVC conduit for a lightweight, easy to carry and deploy antenna to take out on my mountain bike, into them there hills! I also added a 235mm sleeve dipole, in the centre, made out of aluminium kitchen foil, for 70cms UHF. Thanks again for the inspiration! 73, Mike M0MTJ

[@timg5tm941]

Fabulous Mike, I hope you enjoy the antenna.

[@ROMAN138]

Just made this and it works perfectly . Very easy to string up a tree or any other structure. Used a Bnc connector so it attaches to my hand held very easily.Very easy to do.👍🏻👍🏻

[@timg5tm941]

Brilliant!!

[@mike-M0MSN]

Nice T2LT Tim, a naked flower pot. :)

[@timg5tm941]

Indeed Mike! 73

[@MuzzleMike]

I know this is an older video but I have been using an antenna that I made years ago on my front porch. I made it as my first one . No one knows it is there and it works great. I got the idea from a roll-up ladder line antenna I have . That J-pole works but this has the I made it factor in it . Thank you for the video.

[@timg5tm941]

Great example 👍

[@languagetruthandlogic3556]

Just discovered your channel, Tim. This lightweight 2metre antenna is exactly what I needed. Great style of explanation, calm, relaxed and to the point. Excellent, thanks for posting, I'm off to watch your other videos. 73, David. M0 NXA

[@timg5tm941]

Glad it was helpful David - that's very kind of you to stop by 73

[@languagetruthandlogic3556]

@@timg5tm941 Hi Tim, thanks for replying - can I pick your brains please? I built the 2m half wave exactly to your spec (honest!) but it was resonant on 147.400. I did use RG58 standard - cheapo stuff to make my first one, could this be the reason for the higher resonance than 145.500? I would be grateful for any hints you can give me to reduce the resonance to 145.500 or thereabouts. I used the internal swr meter in the FT818 - could that be an issue also? Thanks and 73.

[@timg5tm941]

@@languagetruthandlogic3556 hi there. Hmm as long as the velocity factor of your rg58 is the same as mine (0.66); you cut the co-ax lengths to the same amounts and the choke is exactly the same, then you should match my antenna. Something somewhere isn’t correct. However the other reason may well be the radio swr indicator. Can you acquire an swr meter or borrow an analyser that covers 2m maybe? The ft818 swr bar graph can be a little vague. What is your swr at 145.500?

[@languagetruthandlogic3556]

@@timg5tm941 Hi Tim, many thanks for your reply. The good news is that I built another antenna using different and newer rg58 ( the original was some old spare and very cheap co-ax ) and using a 'proper' swr meter I got an swr of 1.2 on 145.500! Interestingly enough, I also got 1.3 on 433.500 a dual bander? I see what you mean about the swr readings on the 818, after a bit of investigation, I agree it is somewhat vague! perhaps best viewed as an indication only. Into the hills with the antenna next week to test it out. Thanks for your help and 73.

[@timg5tm941]

@@languagetruthandlogic3556 fabulous!! I hope you make many contacts 73

[@adyg6ad73]

Great video Tim. I have exactly this design with the addition of some 20mm conduit and a tee piece to support the dielectric horizontally for SSB. Also some short 20mm sections with long couplers glued at one end to have a light weight portable mast option.

[@timg5tm941]

That sounds a great idea Adrian!

[@theoldhobbit3640]

I have never played 2m SSB and having just constructed this antenna, I wondered if you might answer a question? Is it only the dielectric section that is moved horizontally if I wanted to use the 2m SSB on my 817 ? Thanks

[@timg5tm941]

The Old Hobbit should be the whole antenna above the choke do the dialectric plus the untouched bit above the choke

[@mikesmith5139]

Hi Tim. Thank you for your video. Brilliant description! Cheers, Mike. M0MTJ

[@timg5tm941]

Thanks Mike 👍

[@nikwilliams4927]

Brilliantly explained as always Tim! I need to bookmark this one for the future, as only halfway through foundation! Its brilliant to find something I think I could actually make! Many thanks. 73's CT-3648 👍

[@timg5tm941]

Good luck Nik sand if you build it I’m sure you’ll do well with it 73

[@markg6jvy135]

Nice one Tim it came out well 👍

[@timg5tm941]

Cheers Mark I can’t wait to try it portable

[@theoldhobbit3640]

Been an M6 for about 4 years and although I have not thought about progressing, I love and specialise in QRP/P. I usually use my own built antennas with either my 857 or 817, but on occasion my PRC 320 clansman. I have never tried 2m portable but this build has inspired me to give it a go. Thank you for the very well presented and easily explained video and instructions. M6KVK

[@timg5tm941]

Great to hear you are heading out portable. Glad the video has spurred you on. Best of luck with it! 73

[@theoldhobbit3640]

@@timg5tm941 Just finished the build and very impressed. Not a fantastic SWR (1:1.5 to 1:1.3) across the band but very usable. Thank you for sharing.

[@timg5tm941]

The Old Hobbit that’s great! I hope you enjoy the antenna 73

[@michaeljohnlawrence4262]

Well put together video , I'm going to try this. Mick M6CFX .

[@timg5tm941]

Go for it Michael 73

[@Cardassiaprime]

Great T2LT vid Tim. good call on not choosing to actually build it slice by slice, more time to talk about it. Great antenna for quick n easy portable applications. I built one for 11m a few years ago- with a 4ins 5 turn choke for the suburban sprawl and it rocked- never tried it in the clear- could only be better. Ive got an untested 6m one maybe now is the time to have a go with it. Job Well Done. Barnie M7PBX.

[@timg5tm941]

Thanks Barnie good luck with the 6m version 73

[@ianwray6497]

I made one today (cant really call it building one. its too simple for that). Swr 1.02 to 1 no trimming. Piece of cake and works well.

[@richardjfrench]

Tim - excellent video and just the nudge I needed to make my first antenna. Used on local club net, /p and suspended from a tree limb for some height. Excellent reports. I have antenna appetite now so I'm going to make a 70 cm variant also. M7GET Rich

[@timg5tm941]

Brilliant!!! Glad you enjoyed!

[@donnaphen503]

Tim, so glad I happened across your channel. I've been a ham since the mid '70s and not being that technically savvy, I found antennas to be my niche! I, like yourself, enjoy experimenting with antennas, mostly on HF operation, but of course, the basics are the same. I've subsequently subscribed to your channel and looking forward to many more of your vids. 73, Don wb1o, near Boston Ma. Oh, one request if possible - can u please include feet & inches in your measurements, as we hams across the pond still think that way, except for the bands of course! HI HI.

[@timg5tm941]

Hi Don - thank you for subscribing and your kind comments! Copy the request re: feet as well as metres - consciously trying to do this and (mostly) remembering these days!

[@willian.direction6740]

Thanks Tim I used the one I made last week on SOTA made a qso distance of 68 km my mate was using his hand held and I was using my vx8 hand held.

[@timg5tm941]

Brilliant stuff. I think you can’t go wrong for 5 pounds/dollars! 73

[@chriscollins16]

Hi Tim. I had a brief qso with you while you were dxing on 2m. Im Chris, G7PVJ from Petworth using the very old Yeasu FT 221. Thanks for the radio report mate and i just subscribed to your channel. 73's bud and hope to catch you on the bands again soon.

[@timg5tm941]

Brilliant Chris! A pleasure to work you and to have you subscribe 73

[@stuart19760191]

Great video Tim I'm sure youl have lots of people trying this out , as I shall , keep up the good work , m0omt

[@timg5tm941]

Thanks Stuart! 73

[@michaelhowse8893]

Hi Tim. Great video. You could also use self amalgamating tape to seal the choke if available. 73's Mike G7PTV

[@timg5tm941]

Yes that’s a great idea Mike. Thank you 73

[@G0USL]

I've been using one of those for years, regularly talking 20+ miles with my 2metre one and over 40miles with my 4metre one. Both indoors at ground level. My 6metre one is on my test tripod awaiting testing. Awesome antennas easily equivalent to mid priced white sticks.

[@timg5tm941]

Totally agree - light on the pocket as well as on the weight! 73

[@oldmanandguitar]

Hi, I made this antenna with a 1m feedline., I used a cardboard tube out of tin foil to make the choke. In a doorway in my flat it has swr 1.3- 1.across the 2m band. Outside on a pole I presume it might be better. I trimmed a bit of the top piece to try get it lower but nothing happened. 3 watts from a handheld. Am happy with 1.3-1. it is going to hang outside the window of my flat, fourth story. Thanks Tim, I made this for free as had everything I needed,.

[@timg5tm941]

Fabulous!!

[@dafyddr8678]

Well that's sorted then :-) cable ordered! Thanks for your advise btw.. D

[@timg5tm941]

Dafydd R great stuff ... enjoy!

[@mw7gwr580]

Good this Tim. I may make one.

[@timg5tm941]

Good luck!

[@BoB4jjjjs]

Very nice and something you can knock up at anytime if you need two meters and no aerial. Good for throwing up into a tree, shame there is no trees near me! Now there should be a plan for that on 11 & 10 meters somewhere. :-))

[@timg5tm941]

Thanks Bob. 73

[@paulsengupta971]

Just scale up the measurements 5x. (5x2m = 10m).

[@paulsengupta971]

Though the choke doesn't have to be 50cm long! Google "ugly balun" for a choke at HF.

[@BoB4jjjjs]

@@paulsengupta971 Yep, close enough.

[@tristan4777]

The design is also known as a flower pot antenna. I'm not sure why. There are dual band variants (2m/70m).

[@timg5tm941]

Yes indeed with the flower pot version contained within pvc piping and with a foil wrapping at the right place to help ensure 70cm is brought into play,

[@Cptnbond]

Nice, most sailors are concerned about accidentally losing their yachts mast, and with that the mast mounted VHF antenna. It would be an interesting experiment to adjust the lengths to marine VHF i.e 156.000 - 157.425 Mhz, and were marine rescue channel 156.800 MHz is the most important. The idea is to use this antenna in emergency and raise a temporary antenna on a carbon pole. That would be a valuable security addition to every cruising boat. You have the SWR meter, could you do the design for 156.800 MHz and see if you get similar good results, design wise. Thanks ;-)

[@timg5tm941]

I’ll try and look into that

[@paulsengupta971]

Multiply the measurements by (145/157).

[@M0RSF]

Excellent presentation Tim. I'm sure that antenna will appeal to portable ops. Have you checked the SWR on 70cm? There's a fair chance that it might work on that band too. Looking forward to the video when you try out the antenna. 73 Chris M0RSF

[@timg5tm941]

Might try it ... not sure it catches the third harmonic on this design Chris but you never know. 73 mate

[@sarahrob342]

Tim, this is great I’m a lockdown M7 so was looking for the sort of project to make this all a little more ‘real’, so thank you I’ve made and used this successfully I’m going for your 1/4 wave vertical with elevated radials for 20M next (I’ve posted a question on that video as well) and it got me thinking ... I’m using my FT818ND portable and want to carry as little as possible as you can imagine ... I was wondering if I could replace the PVC wound choke on this antenna with the Hamgoodies balun used on the 20M 1/4 wave with elevated radials as this would allow me to carry/use a single coax feed to interchange between antennas if I wanted to work 2M and 20M on the same field trip ... if that makes sense? Or would that balun be a little to heavy so far up my 10M fibreglass pole? 73, M7ASU, Rob

[@timg5tm941]

It would be heavy yes. Also the choking impedance which works ok on 20 with the hamgoodies Balun won’t do the job on 2m. Really glad your build works well and good luck on 20m.. you’ll have fun I’m sure! 73

[@sarahrob342]

Tim G5TM Understood, thanks for the guidance I’ll leave the 2M as it is (especially as it works so well) and build the 20M as a completely separate entity Thanks and 73 M7ASU

[@timg5tm941]

Brilliant stuff you’ll have a great time with that antenna on 20

[@acestudioscouk-Ace-G0ACE]

Well explained and useful, I might well build one for portable use. Please don't feel obliged to reply... I always leave a comment on videos I've enjoyed. I know the work that goes into them and like to show support by posting a comment.

[@timg5tm941]

Thank you!

[@BikerBytes]

Hi Tim, this looks great for me as an adventure mototrbike rider - I'm going to try this for 70cm as well. What would you recommend for the coax lengths?

[@timg5tm941]

Hi, for 70cms.. good question I’ll need to work that out and I’m planning to build one soon. The 2m version continues to work v well for me portable 73

[@BikerBytes]

@@timg5tm941 good stuff mate 👍 73 VK4FJST

[@BikerBytes]

@@timg5tm941 just made this antenna and tested it today. Works great and even on 70cms, bonus 👍😁

[@timg5tm941]

Superb!

[@BikerBytes]

@@timg5tm941 actually I'm getting better VSWR on 70cm 🤔

[@martindrury9740]

Nice one Tim. Could I use mini8 coax or is RG58 better at 2M. Could I use heat shrink over the choke?

[@martindrury9740]

Would it work in a loft space.

[@urbanbushcraft3018]

Yes it will. He aware though that rg58 is quite lossy at 2m so if in your loft you probably want to use better coax. It will definitely be better than a whip on a handheld

[@Korpen_1979]

Nice one, than you very much! Here in Sweden we use the 155 MHz for hunting radio so i wonder what messurements i should use for this? Greetings from Sweden

[@timg5tm941]

Slightly shorter 143/f

[@Korpen_1979]

@@timg5tm941 Thank you!

[@PatAutrey]

Hey Tim Happy Friday from Texas I was wondering why the top portion dielectric is longer than the full coax portion and they're not the same size also I was curious if you could confirm what frequency you were basing your measurement on

[@timg5tm941]

Top portion is longer as it has less shielding so lower Velocity factor than the uncut lower half. From memory the frequency was 145.500

[@PatAutrey]

@@timg5tm941 thanks Tim, I'll run w that. I'm making an excel spreadsheet to adapt the design to other bands

[@danjor_droneitsme6874]

Im going to give this a go Tim but i only have an anytone878 handheld im trying to find a connector to connect something like this antenna,any idea where i might obtain one Great helpfull videos keep it up Tim

[@timg5tm941]

There should be an adapter you can buy to convert it to accept a pl259 or bnc? Telephone any ham shop and you should be able to get one quite cheap. 73 and enjoy the build.

[@danjor_droneitsme6874]

@@timg5tm941 Thanks tim i will do some asking who has one

[@junjundyable]

Hi Tim May i know if its possible to use a Ferrite Beads around the coax instead of RF choke made of wound coax as you did? 73's DE DV9HF

[@timg5tm941]

Probably yes - but I am unclear at the moment as to the dimensions and number/type of ferrites.

[@GreekPreparedness]

wish me luck...I am about to do this Right Now... I am just reviewing the comments before stripping the coax for. Unfortunately it will take me a while to measure SWR in proper conditions.

[@mellinikon]

Nice video thanks for sharing it with us, I'd like to build one for 70 centimeters, can you please tell me the formula in order to calculate the length? I am a new ham waiting for my call sign and I can't wait to start!!

[@timg5tm941]

Hi there: metric 143/centre frequency. Imperial: 468/centre frequency. 73

[@mellinikon]

@@timg5tm941 thank you very much. By the way, just got my call sign, SY7EMB. 73

[@yuppiecruncher]

Can you comment on ferrite chokes instead of turns to stop common mode? Seems less bulky but i am brand new to antenna theory

[@timg5tm941]

Work well on HF. Unsure about suitability with this antenna

[@TonesElectronics]

Cheers Tim. Being a newbie to Amateur Radio (test next month) but very competent in electronics it looks like I have just shelled out 30 quid for what looks like a packaged version of this on 2m. Are well i won’t do that again. So has anyone got the measurements for a 10m band one. And could you have them on the same pole (10m pole) at the same time, obviously only one radio on at a time. Thanks

[@timg5tm941]

Hi Tony for 10m try the same design but with about 8 feet for the top and 8ft for the bottom. Then the choke I think is 5 turns of rg58 on a 110mm diameter (soil pipe?). Then as much feeder as you want from the choke to the rig. Try it out and see. 73

[@paulsengupta971]

If you want to research similar chokes for HF, do a net search for "ugly balun".

[@TonesElectronics]

I’ll give that a go. Was thinking that’s going to tricky attaching that large former to the pole, then the penny dropped to put the fibreglass pole through the middle.

[@garyh8315]

Tim, the choke. I have a fair amount of thick coax. Difficult to make a choke. What else would you use? Cheers Gary (M7)

[@timg5tm941]

Hi Gary, I would simply use the rg58 if I’m honest with you. 73

[@paulsengupta971]

If you wanted to use thick coax as the feeder, you could make the antenna out of thinner coax and add in a connector at the bottom of the choke.

[@perolsen3799]

Hi Tim thank you for a very goud video. Can I use the same choke if i build a 4m version. 73 OZ5PO

[@timg5tm941]

Hi Per. For 4m,6m the suggested choke is wound on a 50mm former rather than 25mm. I will be trying this in the next week or two for both of these bands. 73

[@garycook5125]

If you check the SWR on a lower power scale, using a 5 watt radio, what is the reflected?

[@timg5tm941]

Tiny

[@peterbriggs3408]

Would be interesting to see performance compared to a ribbon line Slim Jim.

[@timg5tm941]

Yes won’t be much in it ... maybe slim Jim by a nose owing to its low angle of radiation?

[@paulsengupta971]

A slim jim is another end fed half wave (proper end fed!), with a matching stub. Of course the next step to a slim jim is to then make it into a collinear by adding a second half wave (and a phasing section between them)...and even maybe a third....

[@martindrury9740]

Hi Tim. Could you use heat shrink tube to keep the choke tight?

[@timg5tm941]

Absolutely Martin 👍

[@martindrury9740]

@@timg5tm941 Nice one. 73's M7MGD

[@martindrury9740]

Want to use this as a permanent antenna for outside but could I run my fibreglass pole up the middle of the choke and then water proof using glued heat shrink?

[@timg5tm941]

Absolutely 👍👍

[@martindrury9740]

@@timg5tm941 many thanks again Tim 73's

[@timg5tm941]

You’re welcome Martin 73

[@BritishBeachcomber]

Does anyone have thoughts on how this compares with a Slim Jim or J Pole antenna?

[@timg5tm941]

Should be pretty close, all are half waves

[@g7npl]

Hi Tim its a FLOWER POT ANTENNA

[@timg5tm941]

Hi Christopher yes the flower pot antenna is the same design but with the pvc pipe covering to allow it to be literally stuck in the earth in a flower pot. Hence the name. The version I show is the far more portable friendly version without any necessity to be surrounded by the pipe. Nor is it dual band like the flower pot. 73

[@GarryLennox]

does the diameter of the pipe make a difference ? could i use 1 inch pipe ??

[@peterbriggs3408]

I doubt if 0.4mm will make much difference :-)

[@timg5tm941]

25mm which I used is pretty close to an inch so all good

[@GarryLennox]

@@timg5tm941 sorry I was working at the time and skipped through it . But my question still stands . Does different diameter pipe make a difference , smaller or larger . Thanks

[@PatAutrey]

Does this also work on 70cm?

[@timg5tm941]

It has an ok swr .. pattern wise I’m not sure

[@jamesgoacher1606]

I count 11 turns.

[@jimreviewsstuff]

Hello. What diameter is the pipe?

[@timg5tm941]

I think it was 25 or 32mm

[@williampd9wac947]

Don't believe you Tim, picture i mean ;-)

[@timg5tm941]

Ha! I can’t draw that well!

[@pixeluser175]

She tried to paint a CAT interface.

[@rttakezo2000]

I would submit this is a dipole, not an EFHW

[@timg5tm941]

Interesting point. It is indeed classed as a dipole. Of course being electrically half wave and fed at the end are also key characteristics. 73

[@paulsengupta971]

Technically, it's fed in the centre. :-)

[@timg5tm941]

Electrically if not physically 👍

[@andygee873]

I can do that 😂