2 Meter VHF Quarter Wave Ground Plane Antenna - Ham Radio Q&A
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 18 ส.ค. 2018
- Are you looking for a fun and easy antenna project? The 1/4 ground plane might be just the ticket. This particular ground plane is constructed out of an SO-239 chassis connector, so the radiator is attached to the center conductor of the connector and the radials each come off the base.
Resources:
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Hi Michael. The first 2 meter base station antenna was that antenna, up in a pine tree. I followed the ARRL pamphlet I got as a new ham. I only had 2 ground radials and the instructions called for a loop in the wire ends, formed by wrapping the end around a broomstick. I still use that antenna.
It doesn't get much simpler than this antenna. It was my first one also. I think I used the same plans from the ARRL. Back in the day at one of my previous employers, I had a two meter base radio on my desk. I stuck one of these antennas up in the suspended ceiling- it fit perfectly and worked great.
@@funpotatoman It works in the 2 meter band and the 70 cm band as well. Hence the title of the video :P
I made this antenna 3 years ago after watching this video. It was easy and super easy!!!
If you are thinking about building this project, just do it. It is easy and works great!!
When we moved to our location in 1989 behind little parks I was concerned about all the metal 20 feet from my backyard for my ham antennas. I use a ButterNut vertical for HF and I placed it 75 ft from the back fence and, of course during stormy weather it is disconnected. For two-meter / 440 antennas I have two dual-band antennas mounted above my home, one vertical and one horizontal, and of course, it gets disconnected when storms come my way. To solve the storm problems associated with 2/m and 440m I built two 'coat hanger' ground wave antennas and placed them in my attic. They have been up there since 1989 and have had no problems. Love to make antennas for my hobby and for my friends. My next project is using 'rotor cable' cut to the ham bands and string it above my home. Right now I have a homemade dipole but I think the rotor cable will work better for my location, at the bottom of a valley. DE W9FPJ
This was exactly what I was looking for to do my first antenna project for being a new ham. Thank you.
I’ve watched this video a couple times now and finally got around to making the antenna this weekend. Wow! Super easy and quick to build. I wanted to get it built for the 2M Simplex Light up the night event on August 30, 2020. Can’t wait to use it.
So easy an effective Michael, definitely going to build this! Thanks for sharing in such easy steps. 73
Just built one. Works slick! Also I built another 2m antenna using just the 19 in vertical radiator soldered to an SO 239 connector. That one also worked well. It stuck it in the attic
Soon to be new ham operator, saw this antenna, took down lots of notes. Video was VERY informative especially the formula aspect. Thank you for the video. Gonna give build a try, should be fun.
Awesome, as a new ham I will definitely be making this. I wish some store locally had SO-239 connectors. Wish Radio Shacks were still around. 73 - KM6VFM
Congrats on getting your license. Radio Shack was great for parts when you wanted to do a little project. Another option may be an electronics store like Ham Radio Outlet or Fry's. Otherwise you can order the SO-239 from Amazon, there's a link in the video description.
Radio shacks are still around in 5 land.
Thank You. This is exactly what I need. I'll be sourcing the parts soon and put this baby together. Thanks again.
Just built this antenna and it works well! It also picks up 70cm too. Thanks!
Excellent video - thanks. It's stuff like this that makes me love HAM radio.
I love your mission Michael!
Great little project for new and us old hams. Made one for 70cm and works great.
@@th3wr3ck Hi, from memory about 1.2:1 in our repeater allocation.
I needed a 2 meter ground plane quickly and didn't have time to muck about trying to optimize a fancy design. I just copied yours and it works as well as anything I could have made if I had taken much more time to make it pretty. I just cut and bent and soldered per your design and presto, it works great. SWR about 1.2 across the band and I'm easily heard where i need to be heard. Thank you!!!! 73
Thank you. That was quick and well done.
That was my first home brew antenna. N0QFT
Hello MIchael. Will be getting my General in a few days and antennas are my weak spot, so appreciate your info! Keep it up! I will check out your blog.
I built one of these a couple years ago, slightly different than your video only in that we had extra PVC parts so we could take the thing apart and store it in the PVC to transport. Otherwise, it looked the same and is a great antenna.
Hi Michael!! I just subscribed and
I'm proud to say I'm subscriber
number 8454!! I look forward to
watching your videos and learning
ALOT from you!! Thanks for
posting and giving us all a chance
to learn and do it right. Norman.
Thanks for coming along for the ride. If there is a topic you want to know more about, let me know and I'll add it to the list of future videos.
Hey thank you for this. I built something very similar after watching your video but much less "professional" so to speak, by sticking a 12 gauge copper wire into a female pl-259 connector and wrapping the radial wires around the outer part.
Outstanding video tutorial. Thanks for posting. Much appreciated.
I don't have my license yet (local governing body suspended examinations due to Covid19) but I built this for listening and it worked like a charm.
You can also get SO-239s at Radio Shack. I just passed the test for Technician license and while I wait on my license I am making one of those 1/4 wave ground plane for the 2 meter HT (Yaesu FT-4VR) mono band radio I got from the local Ham club for passing the test. I can hit the local 2 meter repeater but that's about it and I have to be outside on the deck to do that. I think once I get my 2 meter ground plane built and get my SMA female adapter to UHF SO-239 so I can hook up a piece of coax I'll be good to go. Since my wire is so thin, I doubled it up and stuck it into my drill and twisted it all together for the radiator. That worked out well and now it sticks straight up without drooping.
Now this is an antenna ! i still have my radio shack 20-176 aka Sputnik in the attic
Great tutorial and demo, thanks!
Thanks for the antenna info and good job on the video.
That’s a real nice and simple design, I’m going to build one, thanks!
It also works for the 70 centimeter amateur radio band as a 3/4 wave antenna. Unfortunately, the radiation angle for a 3/4 wave, 70 centimeter band antenna is very steep. This will make for more limited horizontal range. For satellite and near repeater use, it will work and have a low standing wave ratio.
This was the first antenna I made.I was able to hit a repeater over 40 miles away with 5 watts !
Wow. Awesome SWR. No tuning either. Personally, I would like to see more videos like this. My favorite was the Leixen 10w Radio in a Ammo Can. Built one myself.
Thanks for the comments. The project videos tend to be popular, so I will add more the mix.
Hi Michael, thank you for sharing what can only be described one of the easiest but useful little antennas inexperienced amateurs like myself can build. I have built a similar type of antenna for portable days out but I used a slightly different calculation which offered me a slightly longer radial (2948/Freq = length). I note that my swr is slightly higher than yours so maybe I stick with 234/Freq. Thank you for sharing. M6KVK
It's because you didn't take into account the 5% "loss" in the speed of light or radio wave. In a vacuum or in outer space, that 2,948 applies, but in the real world or on Earth, there's some "absorption" of some sort. If you multiply the 2,948 by 0.95, you'll end up with 2,800. That's the right one.
This video is a must see for new hams great simple explanation. 73. David Byrd KN4BHS
Greetings from Sweden 🇸🇪
Great channel!
You just got yourself a new subscriber 🤖
Thank you!
Thanks for sharing. This might be my first project. 73
I did this quarter wave ground plane antenna here in Philppines connected to SO 239 connector Radiator lenght 19.2 inch with 3 ground plane. I used RG58 coax 50 ohms. Oh yeah IT WORKS WELL with VHF Freq. Design for 2M. - DW3ZXC Philippines.
Nice fast and easy antenna
Awesome kool project
This was a great video. Thx.
I enjoyed this video - i only operate in 80, 40, 20 m but I want to get a 2m radio and have been looking for ideas on homebuilt 2m antennas
This is awesome!! Thank you. Way easy
I just made one having followed your video. I’ve just got to come up with a mounting solution. Thanks.
Thank you for your video.
Just made one of these antennas a little tip i got from a elder is to put one end of the wire in a drill then hold the other with pliers. Give it about 10 seconds. It straightens and strengthens
Im inspired to build. Was able to pickup most of the parts at my local hardware store. cable and SO 239 connector I had to get online. the cable coax was my biggest expense RG8U. Also find the right connector for the connection from the feed to the Radios antenna connection found a SMA female to the pl 259 female(so239) ...As of now I have no Antenna Analyzer... anyday now i hope to see my call sign on the FCC post. was able to program my first repeater here in Santa Rosa CA ..listening only ..Thanks
I made one of these, works great 💪
Great content .
The SO-239 that I got from HRO didn't have a good mechanical connector for the center solder point. I was more like a dimple with half a side. What I did to strengthen the connection was wrap some 14 gauge wire around a #6 screw, to get a coil about 3/8" long, nice and tight. I placed that over the center connector and filled it with molten solder and heated it enough to know the solder point was well connected, then embedded my 12 gauge center wire in that and heated it again to get a good solder connection. That joint is not going to fail.
Went down a major rabbit hole trying to figure out why it was 234 and not 246. Great video. I'm making this tomorrow thx! If I tune it for GMRS I get 6 inches. May try for both (I have both licenses.) Thanks!
Might hobble one together for Field day! may need to use 1/4 or 1/2" copper piping on the main element as I am trying to feed it to an IC746
Hi Michael!! I've got a topic for you:
different materials for antenna
building, ie: copper vs stainless steel vs aluminum;
wood vs plastic vs pvc.
Different conductive properties of
each, strengths & weaknesses of
each, etc. What do you think? Are
radials, radiators & ground plane
wires better in copper,
stainless-steel or aluminum, and
why. Also: can we mix them? I
would love to see THAT video!!
I'm sure you could produce a great
video on all that!! At the beginning
of the video don't forget to
mention who the inspiration is
behind that video!!😉. It might just
inspire others to come up with
other good ideas!! I can't wait to
see it!!
Keep on keeping on, brother!!
73, Norman in Montreal.
Good video, congratulations from UR1CDG
Excellent video. How well would this work indoors?
For us unlicensed radio hobbyists, cut approximately one inch form the vertical antenna to be able to use the ground plane antenna on unlicenced MURS VHS frequencies. MURS is on the 1.9 meter radio band. It is very close to 2 meter amateur radio band. Many amateur radio frequencies have unlicenced equivalent bands for unlicenced radio hobbyists and operators. 12 meter and 10 meter amateur radio bands are very close to the unlicensed 11 meter Citizen's Band. 6 meter amateur band is very close to the unlicenced low power 49 megacycle band. The 49 megacycle band is actually in 6 meters whereas the amateur radio 50 to 54 megacycle band is actually 5.8 meters. 2 meter amateur band is very close to the unlicensed MURS band that y is in 1.9 meters. 70 centimeter amateur radio band is very close to unlicenced FRS 64 centimeter band. 33 centimeter amateur radio band is shared with unlicensed radio operators also that use equipment that is low power and requires no license. I believe all these frequencies for unlicenced use are around amateur radio bands to stimulate interest for us unlicenced operators to perhaps get an amateur radio license.
Gonna try that for an FM transmitter. I did a dipole for it and it works but I wanna see if this will help any.
And yeah I'll stay out of trouble lol
Thank you! I'll be trying this build with students at our school! KC1LUX
Thanks for this video. Does it matter when the elements are not totally straight? :)
good job
I foresee some father/daughter bonding with this project in my future!
Awesome! My daughter was 13 when she got her license. This is an excellent project for the two of you.
Build two antennas and mount one on the roof of your house and one on her bicycle on the end of an old broomstick. You stay home and operate the house radio and she goes out on her bicycle using a hand-held transceiver. Have her test on low power with the tiny dummy load walkie talkie antenna and then have her connect the broom handle mounted ground plane attached to her bicycle. She will see the big difference and she will learn that antenna is more important than more power. Have fun and make memories.
Great Video... New to amateur radio VA3MFP Just got my license 5 days ago . Looking for a basic antenna until my Diamond Antenna X30A Dual-Band comes in.
Thanks for the video! I built one but the radial ring terminals seem a little weak, they don't seem to hold the weight of the radials properly. I've seen some people go out about an inch before starting the 45 degree bend; if I were to do this, does the measurement of the radial begin at the point of the bend?
First antenna I built after I got my technician. Got it out of the ARRL Handbook. Not do sure you can get the SO-239 and other parts from Radio Shack.
Back when Radio Shack was around it was super easy to pick up on SO-239. Otherwise here's a link to where you can pick up a couple on Amazon: amzn.to/2wcEPkp
You can build all of it with crimp connectors and a coat hanger or two if you want, use quick disconnects for the antenna and ground plane and you've got yourself a modular antenna
This was very good! Thanks for sharing it Michael! 73
Nice easy build, how was the Db gain
?
Could you use sections of roll up metal tape measure for the radials and radiating element?
Thanks for the video, very straightforward. I'm hitting multiple repeaters. Coax is tape wrapped and runs through a pvc pole. Have tighten nuts on radials, but they have a tendency to sway with wind or other movement and need to be readjusted. Saw the comments on silicone sealant to help weatherproof. Should use the silicone on the soldiered point, well as as the radial connections to help stabilize and weatherproof? (Also a proud owner of your break-away copper j-pole).
You can silicone all the exposed portions of the connector (with the exception of where the coax cable connects) if you wish.
Hi there.. I wanted to say that I'm a fan of your videos. I'm a fairly new ham and projects like these are just awesome. Thanks for taking time to produce these cool vids. I do have a question however, I currently have a vertical antenna for 2m and 70cm. I have it side mounded to my tower. My question is how far should it be? I have an swr of 1.3 on 146 mhz but on 446 mhz, it's an 1.8. What's your take on this?
Typically you want a side mounted antenna to be at least a 1/4 wave away from the side of the tower. Although depending on the style of the antenna, it could be closer or further. The reason why the SWR is higher on UHF is that the antenna could be coupling with the tower or possibly you just aren't getting a good tune on UHF and the antenna may require a bit of adjustment.
I would like to put a small circle in the ends of the radiator and ground planes, to reduce the likelihood of poking my eye out. How would that that affect to performance and how would I measure the length. I there something blunt that can be put on the wire ends, that would not affect the performance?
I have made the 2m 70cm, my problem is I can’t get the solder to adhere to the copper wire and the so239 connector. So the main beam is the 2m, and then I attach the 70cm beam next to that. Can I move the 70 up a little bit to have its own connection to the 2m beam instead of having a big blob of solder at the 239. Like I said above need some direction to get the wire and solder to adhere to the 239 and be secure. Thanks Michael
Great video !!!!! thank you, but what would be your take on the voltage output, in other words would it handle 200 watt PEP ? thanks for reply in advance, Please keep the videos coming!!!
I don't see why not. Back many years ago we made some 1/4 antennas like this for some APRS digipeaters that were running on 110 watt GE Delta land mobile transceivers. Didn't have any issues at that power level, so 200 watts would be fine.
Hey Michael, new ham here, thanks to your video you've inspired to build(instead of buy) my own very first antenna as I start to build my shack.
Question for you;
I live in an area that sees brutal winter conditions(80-100+mph winds, HEAVY snowfall). I plan to enforce all the copper elements with a wooden-dowel skeleton of sorts. Any special considerations I should make adapting this design to be more robust to withstand a brutal winter? I plan on mounting this in the very tip of a pine tree outside my window
I'd probably use brass welding rod instead of copper wire as it would be more rigid and durable. I'd also try to beef up the area around the connection with a mounting plate made out of aluminum stock. The elements of this antenna are pretty thin, so even with 80mph winds, the wind loading will be quite slight.
I want to build an antenna like this for my SDR tuned for the airband. I have a question: Can I replace the SO-239 chassis connector for a BNC connector?
I like this project because it's cheap to build. New to the hobby. My two questions. If its outdoors what do you use to keep the rain out of the connector? What about lighting protection?
For weather protection I'd use a high quality electrical tape, Coax Seal, or better yet, amalgamating tape to seal the SO-239 connector. If you are going to use the antenna indoors, like in an attic, then tape isn't necessary. As for lightning protection, that's a big subject, but in a nutshell I'd recommend lightning arrestors on your coax where the cable enters the house. The arrestors can then be grounded for lightning protection.
Please show how you hooked it up to the coax and couldn't you simply silicon the adapter to the top of the PVC pipe?
This great for beginners but as your build more antennas you one van improve design
stainless steel radiator & ground planes.
how about improving an HT antenna by having a base loading coil, cant find any good info on that process. 5/8th wave loaded
I'am curious if increasing the radiator wavelength e.i. 1/2, 3/4, 5/8 or possibly a full wavelength to the frequency would increase the gain of the antenna?
Thanks for sharing!.
For a vertical antenna, only the odd numbered wavelength quarters, and close, are resonate with an end fed antenna. 1/4 wavelength will resonate when end fed. 2/4, or 1/2 will not. 3/4 will resonate when end fed. 4/4 wave, or 1 wavelength will not resonate end fed. Of course with a some sort of antenna matching circuit, the even lengths will resonate when end fed. The odd wavelengths will resonate with no added matching circuitry. 1/2 wavelengths will resonate when center fed instead of end fed. That will be a dipole antenna
Thank you. I'm trying to make one for my marine radio. I'm assuming I just need to make sure the length of the wire is right. I also live in the Milwaukee are and I plan on getting a ham license.
Yes. This design will work for the marine radio band. Just use the formula to determine the length of the wire based on the frequency you wish to use. I'd probably build the antenna for Channel 16 as this antenna will have enough bandwidth to cover the entire marine band.
Hi, with my intentions to only receive aircraft & tower communications within the air band frequencies 118.000 MHz to 136.975 MHz, I need to make an external antenna for my scanner. In determining the length of the vertical rod and redials, will I still use the given 234 numbers? If so, what MHz frequency will I divide the 234 with?
Hi KB9VBR, in the most simple way, how do I make a quarter wave ground plane (receiver only) antenna for aviation frequencies 108-137 MHz ? Thanks and hope to hear from you soon.
So I made one and it keeps blowing the circuit breaker as it's transmitting. Should I run a wire from the SO239 to the wood base for a ground?
Can you do another talking about the cable you used? You kinda skipped over that completely. I know I will need a female SMA on my radio end and a male PL239 on the antenna end, but what type of cable do you need? How much loss do you get going from 12 feet to 50 feet for example?
Was wanting to do a half wave wire dipole for 2 meters is this ok or should I do quarterwave
is there a specific app that shows the map and the two points? with the distance line?
This is incredible! Any reason it wouldn't be water proof for a more permanent outdoor install?
Disregard! I found your response to a similar comment below
Nice
Hi, any coax cable un particular that You used? Thanks
Question, I have a limited space, let's say I wanted to use to meet her and 10 m can The middle let's say for 2 m and then the radio coming out 10 m? Will that mess up the SWR?
Would be fun to test this antenna vs your jpole.
That's a great idea. Each has their unique advantages, but an antenna shoot-out would be fun. I'll add it to the list.
New ham here. Would this work to lengthen all wires to 3/4 wave on 2m (around 1500mm) so I could use it as a 1/4 wave antenna for 6m (also around 1500mm)?
73,
KK4FVZ
Would like to get a copy of your plans in order to present it during an ARES class for new HAMS. It that possible?
Dumb question - Does a coaxial version of this chassis mount exist? I googled search but could not find anything. I aleady have all the connectors and tools to crimp coaxial - not so-239.
We don't know how EFFECTIVE this antenna is if you don't COMPARE it to just using the rubber ducky. Science class 101...
In reality, almost any antenna is going to be better than a rubber duck, so I'm not sure what benefit you'd gain in showing the comparison.
You didn't show connecting the coax cable. how did you do that?
Hi Michael great video, can I ask a silly question please? What diameter are the blue Crimp Connectors please?
I'm not sure of the actual diameter, but blue crimp connectors will hold 12-14 gauge wire. I used 12 gauge solid copper wire in the video.
Should connections at the bottom of antenna be water sealed? Mine got rained on n seems to be acting odd..
how come you not add the short to ground i seen them the antenna wire solder to it and that wire solder to the ground plane kit you have do one this way see if you like it even better the short kill static DC building up in your area
My coat hangers keep falling out of the crimped connectors. Anyone know of a set type screw connector or anything that will hold?
Great vid! Question, I live in the Pacific Northwest and we get a lot of rain. I'm planning on making this antenna and was wondering about weatherproofing. Could I shoot a bunch of hot glue on the pl259 to keep water out? Will I get water inside the coax with a normal screw on connection? Thanks!
I think you can make a waterproof seal with hot glue. Otherwise silicon sealer would be my choice. As the cable connection, I'd wrap it up with high quality electrical tape so seal out the water.
@@KB9VBRAntennas thanks!
It looks like an umbrella, I wonder if I could make it with one? 🤔
You get any contacts in east central Wisconsin?