This is the first transceiving antenna I've ever built. It is perhaps the simplest 2 meter quarter wave design.
Element sizes are
based on the formula:
length of elements in feet = 234 ÷ freq
Using 146 MHz as midway in the 2 meter band:
234 ÷ 146 = 1.6 ft
1.6 ft x 12 in/ft = 19.23" for main vertical element & for each ground radial
1/16" welding rod for elements
horizontal elements: rod ends curled with needlenose to allow fastening beneath machine screws:
vertical element soldered to SO-239:
4 horizontal radials fastened with machine screws & lock washers:
completed quarter wave 2 meter antenna located barely above patio, next to I-Max 2000 10 meter flag pole:
short PVC mast, painted, capped, siliconed:
RG-213 coax connects the tranceiver to the SO-239 on the antenna.
The SWR is 1.35:1 across 2 meters.
Although this design was not supposed to cover 70 cm, the resonance in that band is even better: 1.1:1
The dual band 5w 144/440 BaoFeng UV5RA's we use get good signal & audio reports. This antenna allows me to reach several repeaters that I could not while using a 7" or 15" rubber duck indoors.
Note: Both the BaoFeng UV5RA's we own have been tested for spectral purity and are Part 97 compliant.
We also have a pair of BTech 5w UV-5X3's, and both of our tri-band 144/440/220 units tested as fully compliant with no significant spurious emissions. The UV-5X3's are also Part 15 approved.
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There is 8' additional PVC mast below the patio roof line, recessed in the corner post. In emergencies the antenna could easily be raised for better performance.