[Antennas] Building antennas

[Tom Horton]

Doesn't anyone build antennas anymore?
When I got started in this stuff, you could hardly
find antennas to buy.
Seems like now everyone wants to go with the
easiest way.
  Build some antennas, fail and start all over again.
That's what it is all about.
Just plug in the formulas, you surely know them or at least where to
find them, and go for it.
Oh, what kind of wire? Who cares. Try something and see if it works.
I'll give you a hint...don't try stainless steel wire. Not too efficient.
What kind of material to use for a vertical. If you have a tall enough
support, use wire. How many guys remember the beer can verticals
from the late 50's and early 60's? i was too young then but the older guys went
to Field Day early to start emptying the cans (while the soldering irons 
heated up).
You can use almost anything that is metalic in nature and go from there.
You certainly don't have to spend $50-150 on dipole, etc, and several hundred
bucks and up for all band verticals that most time will NOT outperform
a 10 buck inverted vee at 30 feet.
73, Tom K5IID

ps...THIS IS NOT DIRECTED AT ANYONE!!!! JUST MY FEELINGS ON THE
SUBJECT.