Antenna choices
| Antenna | Where | Improvement |
|---|---|---|
| Stock rubber duck | On the radio | Baseline |
| Long whip | On the radio | Noticeably better |
| Magnet mount | Truck roof | Large improvement |
| Roof or mast antenna | House or ranch shed | The biggest gain |
Height and a clear view beat everything else.
Things to know
Get it high
Every few feet of height adds miles
Short, good coax
Cheap cable loses much of your signal at UHF
Check SWR
A meter tells you if the antenna is matched
Never transmit without one
It can damage the radio
Simple home-built options
J-pole
- Easy to build from copper pipe or ladder line
- Good on 2 meters
- Mounts on a mast or tree
Ground plane
- A few wires and a connector
- Cheap and effective
- A classic first project
Sources: ARRL Antenna Book; general VHF/UHF practice
Remember
Antenna height and quality matter more than watts.
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Answer key
- What usually improves range the most?A higher, better antennaAntenna height and quality matter most.
- What does an SWR meter check?How well the antenna is matchedLow SWR means power goes out the antenna instead of back into the radio.
- Why choose good coax at UHF?Cheap coax loses much of the signalLoss in thin coax rises at higher frequencies.
- What should you never do?Transmit without an antennaTransmitting without an antenna can damage the radio.
- Which is a classic easy home-built 2-meter antenna?J-poleJ-poles are simple and effective.