Using A Half Square Antenna in the Field - Full Installation Guide

Join me as I put up a 15 meter half-square antenna for the ARRL ham radio Field Day 2022 for use with my Yaesu FT-891.

[@davidryeburn6446]

There's another way to feed the half square antenna, and it has some advantages. Feed the bottom end of one of the two vertical sections. That's a high impedance point so you'll want to use a high ratio unun there, or perhaps an L- network or a parallel tuned circuit with a link or a tap on the coil to get the 50 ohm impedance you want. If you build it for 20 m (about 68 ft total wire length) then the whole thing will be about a half wave long on 40 m and you can use it there too, but the radiation will be mostly horizontally polarized and high angle (which might be just what you want on 40 m unless you're trying to work DX). The 20 m version can also be used on 10 m where it will have pretty much the same broadside behavior it has on 20 m. The unun solution would work on all three bands but the tuned circuit versions would require re-tuning of course. Disconnecting the matching device and using a good ground radial system the whole thing would be about one quarter wave long on 80 m too. A 15 m half square would also have fairly high input impedance on 30 m though it would be a bit short and therefore have some inductive reactance at its bottom feedpoint. In that case an L network or a parallel tuned circuit with link or tap might be better than the unun. On 30 m the horizontal section would do most of the radiating, mostly straight up, not the best way to send your RF on 30 m. Disconnecting the matching devicce and using a good ground radial system, you could use it on 60 m. Feeding at the bottom of one of the vertical sections makes routing the feedline at right angles to both the vertical and horizontal sections pretty straightforward. David VE7EZM and AF7BZ

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Great information! Thank you, David.

[@barrykery1175]

" Failure is nothing more than one step closer to success !" de KU3X Interesting video. I like half squares. Upside, low angle of radiation and directional. Downside, narrow bandwidth compared to a simple dipole and not the easiest antenna to erect in the field. Food for thought for erecting a half square.......Run a tram line from one tree to another giving yourself about one wavelength or more spacing. Now hang the half square from the tram line and you can also run the coax along the tram line for a easier exit. They are a fun to play with antenna. I personally like delta loops, erected vertical with the feed point in the bottom corner. They are easily doable from 20 meters on up. For 40 meters you need the apex to be around 40 plus feet in height. Better have a high tree and a very throwing arm. Hi Hi Keep up with these great videos. They are most informative and I really enjoy watching them. Barry, KU3X/QRP

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Barry, your idea of suspending the antenna from a line of cord is nothing short of brilliant. Thank you very much! 73 from VE3TWM.

[@fbswampfox]

Nice. I use the same ammo cam for both my mobiles.

[@richardhill9801]

Hi, Tracy! Fun project. A couple of ideas.... Conside only two poles: at one end use two guys, and two guys at the other end. Attach the 1/2 wave quarter wave intersection at the top of the first pole, and the coax at the top of the second pole. The coax junction would be at the middle in free air. You could likely shorten your rebar. Have fun!

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Either you're brilliant, or I'm a dummy, or both (and I'm voting for both 😀 ). Thank you for the great suggestion!

[@joeframo3347]

Hey Terry your voice sound is so familiar and after I seen your face I knew it was you very good video boy you advance from 10 years ago or longer oh yeah very very good video buddy thank you for sharing it 👍🏆👍

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you Joe! Nice to hear from you.

[@southernexposure123]

I'm seeing good reports on the half square. I have a safer way for your hands to drive the rebar into the ground. Use a 2 inch diameter heavy steel pipe 2 feet to 3 feet long which has threads on one end. On the threaded end screw a pipe coupler. Into the coupler screw a pipe plug. Stand up the rebar and slide the steel pipe over the rebar and use the heavy pipe to drive the rebar into the ground striking the rebar with the plug. You're guarnteed to not miss the rebar with a hammer and hit your hand because the pipe covers the rebar the whole time you're driving down the rebar. Paint the pipe flourescent orange so it's easier to find when it gets darker after putting it down on the ground. Good luck.

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Great tip, thank you!

[@southernexposure123]

@@OutdoorsOnTheAir You're very welcome.

[@beemcbike]

I put a half square up because I‘m livin in a noisy environment, around S4. The noise is down to s1 and it gives you some gain in a preferred direction. I feed it at the bottom corner with a 49:1 unun and use it mostly on 10m, there I have the lowest angle of radiation. Thanks and hope you will get good dx next time. 73 de HB3XBL 👍🇨🇭

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you for sharing. your install technique and 73 from VE3TWM!

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Great video Tracy, I’ve been racking my brain trying to figure out how I could support a vertical Moxon on the beach. Your rebar and military masts Idea has the hamsters spinning in my brain. Thanks for the idea! All the best and good DX! Walt K4OGO

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Let me know how that project works out, Walt! 73 from VE3TWM.

[@joeframo3347]

Very very cool I love your radio you'll get out real good just use your tuner

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you, Joe!

[@brianfields4479]

Hi Tracy, excellent video, very interesting indeed. I have used many types of ants over the years, including the half square, and two ants I found out performed everything was, the half grounded loop and the simple vertical antenna. Yes I know both require radials , but performance wise for dx everyday, radials and a vertical are my choice. Not sure exactly where you are Tracy, but if you ever get near the sea, put up the half square or a vertical antenna, and watch the pile up build and build. Thanks so much for your time, take care my friend, 73 zl3xdj.

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Operating by the sea is on my bucket list, Brian! 73 from VE3TWM.

[@garryduence5406]

Hi Tracy,-Love your work, thanks for all the posts over the years. It will be interesting to see how the half square compares to your other portable antennas. The rebar and hatchet puts you in the Danger Zone particularly when by yourself. In those situations I use the metal what we in VKland call star pickets that are metal fence posts for wire farm fences and use the metal tube with handles that is used to drive them in usually only need two or three hits to drive them in enough and easy to do when alone and no whacked knuckles hi hi.and quicker. It maybe worth a trip to the local farm supply shop to see what they have.The star pickets are tristar when looking end on so are good to strap the masting to if the tube mast is to small to fit over the post. I notice you seem to have settled on green for the FT-897D display colour it is worth an extra S point on receive lol. Have you tried playing with MENU 41 and setting it so the display changes colours with signal strength and swr with the meter readings,changes to red on strong signal and high vswr which catches your attention when in the field. Thanks again for all the work you put in to these posts, I'm sure you have helped thousands! 73 from Garry VK7JGD.

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Great tips, Garry. Thank you very much! 73 from VE3TWM.

[@JayN4GO]

Half sq work very well. ESP if high above ground. Better than dipole and not as good as loop.

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you for sharing your experience, Jay!

[@norbertstepien9185]

Hi, let me share with you how I depLoy my Spider poles. I took a larger dia (larger that the pole) piece of pvc about 3 or 4 feet long. At the top I fasted 3 lengths of para cord with adjustable tent ties. I then simply position the short length of pvc and use tent pegs at appropriate distance from the PVC pipe to secure the guys. I then tighten the guys with the tent ties. It's then just a matter of putting the spider beam in the pvc and extending. In your application I think you could adjust the cable ties to get some "lean" on the poles to maintain the distance you need between the poles. It sure works for me, the poles are secure and easy to handle. VE3WNS

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Interesting, thank you Norm!

[@timg5tm941]

Great Job Tracy. Looks a winning antenna. Be good to see how it does in CQWW in October maybe? 73

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you, Tim! I've already booked my campsite for that weekend 👍

[@k2cjbradio]

Interesting antenna. Never used one. It does seem like a lot of work. Wonder how it would compare with a dipole or vertical for real a/b comparison testing. Hey, this is how we learn!

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you for your comment, Chris!

[@fredvicary5935]

Hi Tracy. I enjoy watching your videos. I notice that you rarely use an SWR meter. Does this mean that you trust the built in SWR meter. Especially on the 817. thanks again for the videos. I'm hoping to start going outdoors myself soon.

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Hi Fred, I always use the rig's SWR meter. Yes, I trust the meters on the rigs I use (including the 817). Hope you can get out soon.

[@jram261]

I have a FT-897 (first version) unable to get higher than 3 watts on 440. All other bands work great on all modes. Would you be able to share your transceiver settings?

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

I've given your question some thought, it's a good one. I have a checklist I'd run through if I was in your situation: - Make certain the output is OK on all other bands (which you have done). - If yes, check the 440 antenna system (coax cables and anything inserted into the line). - try a different antenna system. - confirm mode of operation setting and power out setting to ensure you are putting our maximum power. - use a known good external wattmeter to take the measurement. Beyond this, find a technician to take a look at. it. Good luck!