How a simple counterpoise can lower your SWR. Post #1670.
If you can't view the video, please enter this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwhlSa8CUCk. Here's a simple way to lower the SWR and increase the performance of any HF/VHF/UHF vertical antenna. Pet (N6PET) found a high SWR on his Comet SBB 15 6M triband mobile antenna. By mounting the antenna on a 2M quarter wave counterpoise made from 2 speaker wires, he was able to drop his SWR below 1:3:1 for the frequency range of 50-54 MHz. Most conventional wisdom seems to favor the idea that the counterpoise system supplies "the missing half" of a 1/4 wavelength vertical, thus restoring antenna "balance." If you use vertical antennas, please consider adding a ground radial or counterpoise system to improve antenna efficiency and matching between the antenna and your transceiver. For the latest Amateur/Ham Radio news and information, please visit these websites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. http://www.arrl.org. htt