aerial In use!

I’ve got many VHF aerials with a 5/16″ 26TPI fitting. They are typically only good on a car (middle of the roof!?!). They are difficult to use at field days. I’ve used mounts with radials before but the radials became a hazard or annoyance.

I decided to build a VHF Elevated Feed Ground Independent Aerial Base These are very popular for UHF CBs and readily available at 4WD stores. I’ve built an airband version for aviation field days (typically 126.7Mhz), it would be very easy to cut one for 2m. I’ve used VK2ZOI Half-Wave Flower Pot Antenna’s design, as for my Flower Pot Antenna on a wire project, however, I only built the bottom half of the halfwave, terminating the feed point with a 5/16″ 26TPI screw. A SO239 or female BNC plug could be used if this is the type of aerials you typically have around.

Base preparation. Black mount discarded.
A BNC plug instead of the 5/16″ screw could be used for handheld aerials.
Finished product. Dismantles to 700mm sections for transport.
 I think that looks right for 126.7 MHz (airband)!!!
Scanned in a different environment.
Finished product in carry brace … feel like playing cricket?!?
Note the BNC-PL259 and BNC-SMA chained to the feed line.
Can be used with table mount or standard pool telescopic pole.

Just couldn’t help it, this is a much better carry case!

Carry case made from discarded wood and hardware.

Final project installed on a park bench for a picture. Note the optional UHF CB stub (red circle). UHF CB is typically used for field operations.

And if you need a 2m test bed for your handheld whips, or want to use your handheld whips on a pole, you can quickly built a temporary version with a lead and some tapes/rubber bands, no holes required. Just follow VK2ZOI Half-Wave Flower Pot Antenna’s design‘s measurements

Temporary test bed for 2m handheld whips.

And qrcoded instructions on youtube for field operators!

Yves VK2AUJ