Those who got their start with 27 MHz CB will be familiar with the ground plane. It consists of a radiating element a quarter wavelength long connected to the coaxial feedline's inner. Connecting to the braid are two, three or four radials a quarter wavelength long. These may be horizontal, or if you want a better match to 50 ohm coaxial cable, droop down at about 45 degrees. Ground planes can be made either of wire (on the HF bands) or aluminium tubing (on VHF bands like 2 metres - 144 MHz).
The ground plane is a vertically polarised omni-directional antenna. This makes it good for communicating with mobile stations. That includes working through repeaters such as available above 29 MHz. On frequencies lower than that ground planes are preferred over low dipoles for long distance contacts due to their lower angle of radiation. This is particularly so near the coast due to the beneficial effect on radio signals of large salt water bodies.
Ground planes are one of the best antennas a beginner amateur can build. Especially for bands like 10, 6 and 2 metres. Connecting one to a 2 metre handheld transceiver will greatly increase its communication range compared to the standard 'rubber duck'. And on 10 and 6 metres, even when there's no sunspots, a ground plane will help you work stations thousands of kilometres away over summer.
Check out these practical ground plane links:
Build a Portable Groundplane Antenna Improve your 144 MHz signal - ARRL PDF
Simple ground plane for 2m/1.25m/70cm From N1GY
20 metre three wire ground plane Practical article by KK5JY
10 metre ground plane antenna Video from KG0ZZ
Simple ground plane vertical Video tutorial on a 7 MHz ground plane by W1GV
Find a high support such as a fishing pole or tree branch. Then just get an SO239 socket and some wire to make your own ground plane hanging from your support. Even if radio conditions are poor and you're not hearing many signals, WSPR can give a clue as to propagation and how the ground plane is working relative to your others.
PS: Puzzled about some of the terms you hear? This dictionary can help with over 1500 explained.
The ground plane is a vertically polarised omni-directional antenna. This makes it good for communicating with mobile stations. That includes working through repeaters such as available above 29 MHz. On frequencies lower than that ground planes are preferred over low dipoles for long distance contacts due to their lower angle of radiation. This is particularly so near the coast due to the beneficial effect on radio signals of large salt water bodies.
Ground planes are one of the best antennas a beginner amateur can build. Especially for bands like 10, 6 and 2 metres. Connecting one to a 2 metre handheld transceiver will greatly increase its communication range compared to the standard 'rubber duck'. And on 10 and 6 metres, even when there's no sunspots, a ground plane will help you work stations thousands of kilometres away over summer.
Check out these practical ground plane links:
Build a Portable Groundplane Antenna Improve your 144 MHz signal - ARRL PDF
Simple ground plane for 2m/1.25m/70cm From N1GY
20 metre three wire ground plane Practical article by KK5JY
10 metre ground plane antenna Video from KG0ZZ
Simple ground plane vertical Video tutorial on a 7 MHz ground plane by W1GV
Find a high support such as a fishing pole or tree branch. Then just get an SO239 socket and some wire to make your own ground plane hanging from your support. Even if radio conditions are poor and you're not hearing many signals, WSPR can give a clue as to propagation and how the ground plane is working relative to your others.
PS: Puzzled about some of the terms you hear? This dictionary can help with over 1500 explained.
Thanks for the info Peter
ReplyDeleteI made one like this on the peak of my house. I mounted an aluminum mirror mount to some steel straps about 16" long bolted vertically through the existing holes in the mount and bent them to match the slope of the roof and screwed it to the peak with a 102" whip in it. then I had drilled and tapped 4 holes around the base of the whip in the grounded mount and stretched out 4 102" bare wires with ring terminals soldered on both ends and screwed them to the mount and down the roof at 90 degree intervals. of course I had to caulk all of the screw holes in the roof. My SWR meter moved maybe a needle width on the worst channel!
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