Description

A simple but effective 2m quarter wave ground plane antenna that will improve your handheld radio’s performance over using the stock rubber duck. Attach the ground radials with the included hardware, angle them down at approximately 45 degrees, attach your coax and hang up the antenna to quickly be on the air. The center element is permanently soldered to the SO-239 with a ring terminal soldered onto the end and a small loop of cord for hanging. The antenna can even be folded or rolled up with the radials attached and then straightened out when you are ready to deploy. Having the elements perfectly straight after being rolled up is not critical as long as they are angled down at about 45 degrees. The elements are made of 18awg copper clad steel wire that is surprisingly flexible and easy to shape. Typical SWR will be less than 1.5:1 across the entire 2m band and usually less than 1.4:1 depending on the antennas location. It can be used indoors also as long as it has a few feet of clear space around it. These are not designed as a permanent base antenna but rather as a lightweight portable option for a handheld for indoor/outdoor activities or as an option for EMCOMM situations.