Simple Ham Radio Antennas: A Portable HF Ham Radio Antenna. Post # 321.
Helpful video by Dave (W0ZF) on how to build a simple portable antenna for the amateur radio bands . The antenna, whether it be for 20 meters, or some other band , is simple, inexpensive, and easy to build. I've built several 20 and 40 meter versions following Dave's general example. All have worked very well with powers in the QRP range (1-10 watts). I got my speaker wire from Radio Shack , the pole was a telescoping fiberglass fishing pole I found at The Sports Authority , and the nylon string, insulators, and coax I had around the shack. Although you can get by with just a vertical element and a "counterpoise" wire lying on the ground, you will get better performance if you use several elevated radials below the base of the vertical element. I have a 40 meter version of Dave's antenna which is erected in the backyard of my one-acre property. I used a 33-ft/10.06 meters MFJ telescoping fiberglass pole, 32-ft/9.75 meters of #18 gauge speaker wire f