1/4 wave Ground Plane Antenna

A project by Bill Northcott (VE7WNO)

Still working on my beam project, but this antenna has worked well and didn't cost much. From my back deck I can get into the repeater in Chilliwack on 147.100 using 4 watts.

I am definitely having fun with the antenna projects, and it still amazes me how simple things can make such a difference.  I tried adding a counterpoise to my whip antenna on my hand-held, just a simple ring terminal and a 19-1/2 inch piece of hookup wire and it allowed me to hit a repeater that I couldn't with the whip alone.  The ground plane in these photos is just an SO-239, 5 pieces of 12AWG copper wire and a little hard-ware and it makes a big difference.