[FARC] 2 meter antenna for HAM.

[Dick, WN3R]

I just whipped up a simple 2 meter ground plane in 30 minutes.  The vertical
radiator and each of the 4 ground planes are 19.25" long (From the 2005 ARRL
Handbook).  Just bend the 4 ground plane elements down at 30 degrees from
horizontal.

I used stiff 14 gauge wire and added a round crimp-on terminal to the top so
I can suspend it from a tree limb.

I used a short feed-thru coax connector to join the coax to the vertical
element that was soldered into a PL-259.

I soldered the 4 ground plan elements to a washer that is held in place in
the middle of the feed-thru with two nuts.

SWR is about 1.2:1 across the band.

Another mounting method is a 10 ft. 3/4" PVC pipe.  Just feed the coax
through the pipe and lash the pipe to your car door handle.  The antenna
just sits on top and the weight of the coax holds it in place.

Signal strength readings on the HT went from quarter scale using the rubber
duck to nearly full scale with the quarter wave GP.

This can also be built using an SO-239.

See you on Saturday at the HAM (Hike Across Maryland)

73, Dick, WN3R