Comments on: The ¼ Wave Droopy Ground Plane 2 Meter Ham Radio Antenna

By: Jeff McCray

Jeff McCray — Fri, 17 Dec 2021 13:58:51 +0000

In reply to thomas heisler. The way you have it is fine, just use 10-12 gauge wire and spin it in while clamped in a vice and chucked in a drill. It will create perfectly straight wire! I use dual wall adhesive heat shrink to reinforce my center element as well.

By: Big Bear

Big Bear — Wed, 13 Jan 2021 00:36:19 +0000

In reply to Knows better. True on the 2 meter being better. Funny thing though, I have a Pierce Simpson CB with 75 watts from the factory. Currently working on its restoration. It has vac tubes!

By: Kelly Rumschlag

Kelly Rumschlag — Fri, 11 Oct 2019 20:18:00 +0000

In reply to Wolfy. What do u make of someone using this to stalk some one?

By: John VK2FJFS

John VK2FJFS — Thu, 07 Dec 2017 21:12:46 +0000

My dad made one similar back in the 60’s for fox hunting, he used a steel beer can and a bakerlite ceiling rose for a light and soldered the ground plane elements that was 6mm earth wire to the can and used a section of brazing wite for the main eliment and used the terminals of the rose to join the coax to the can and brazing rod. It is still working to this day. The fox hunters would pass over the can thinking it was just a discarded beer can in the bush and then the signal was behind them.

By: Ken

Ken — Sat, 08 Jul 2017 20:42:53 +0000

In reply to Louie. To use temporarily on the motor home while parked, strap the pvc to your ladder with Velcro straps.

By: Bill

Bill — Thu, 20 Apr 2017 12:00:21 +0000

In reply to just looking. Nope. Most repeaters have back up power and who do you think did ALL the communications for hurricane Katrina? Hams.

By: Randy Davenport

Randy Davenport — Thu, 30 Apr 2015 06:08:53 +0000

I am disabled and unable to build things anymore. I like your antenna. Have you thought of adding 440 to it? Can you build me an antenna

Randy ka4nma

By: Denob

Denob — Thu, 16 Apr 2015 16:41:21 +0000

I have built one very similar to this…some scrap wire and a $2.00 SO-239 and you get a very cheap but good antenna. I cut my center element a bit long, bent the top into a small loop for a zip tie, then trimmed it about 1/8 inch at a time until the SWR was down to 1.1:1. I was wondering if a 1/8 wave would work though…looking for something really tiny for a BOB. Maybe I’ll just try it and see.

By: Jonathan K.

Jonathan K. — Sun, 14 Dec 2014 03:44:10 +0000

Just a thought on the center element for the ground plane design, I currently use this design and instead of soldering the center element in place where it could break easy, try twisting enough of the end of the element to snugly slide over the center pin. Easy to attach and detach and no soldering needed. As for the other four elements, make a single loop at one end and attach with machine screws. I got the SWR down to 1.2:1 at 146.520.

By: NOODLES

NOODLES — Sat, 06 Dec 2014 06:05:06 +0000

TO MAKE A STAND SO YOU DON’T NEED ZIPTIE OR HANG IT UP GET 2GAL OR 5GAL BUCKET FILL WITH SAND OR CEMENT.USE A PIPE SMALL THEN WHAT PUT ANT ON.PUT HARD CAP ON IT AND PUT INTO THE CEMENT. LET SET 48HR. ONLY GO 10FT NO MORE. THIS WHAT I USE ON DECK FOR AWHILE HOLDING MY J-POLE AND A GROUND PLANE ANT. BUT NOT AT ONCE.