102" ss whip for base antenna?

[816dx]

ive browsed around and found some information regarding this but i didnt find a definitive answer to my question. basically it's this; i'm building my base setup again, havent had one for a few years, and i have a 102" ss whip im thinking of using for my antenna mounted to a grounded pole, my question with this is will it be high in SWR just as it is or is a ground plane needed for it to operate at a low SWR. ive seen pictures and videos online of both situations, i know every scenerio is different but basically just looking how i should go along with making a groundplane for it. many thanks to all
73

[hilltop 439]

The 102 inch whip is great for mobile use but as far as a base antenna my i suggest a Antron 99 there fairly inexpensive and will knock the socks off anything you could fabricate for the 102 inch whip.

[Sporty Mike]

I have done it in a pinch, but the 102 is born and bred for mobile use. It's almost impossible to get the SWR's down low when mounted on a mast. Although it does work fairly decent and it is certainly better than trying to use a loaded whip as a base. Give it a shot and just remember two things...counterpoise and ground!!


Mike

[816dx]

thanks guys for the info, ya i guess the 103 is best for mobile and i'll prob just use it for that and give a look into one more suitable for base use
thanks again
73's

['Doc]

That 102" whip will work just fine as a 1/4 wave base antenna. Or half of a 1/2 wave base antenna. You just have to add the 'other half' to it. That 'other half' can be in the shape of a couple/few radials making it a grounplane type antenna, or another 102" whip as the 'other half' of a 1/2 wave dipole antenna (vertical or horizontal, doesn't matter). But you have to add that 'other half' in some form or it isn't a complete antenna.
- 'Doc

[816dx]

thanks doc. ya i was figuring tha if i were to add the elements on to make it a ground plane that they would have to be of equal length
816

[Deleted User 14541]

A 102" whip was my first base antenna. If you just put the antenna up on a pole you will never get the SWR down and won't have very good range. I used a 8' 6" piece of solid copper wire for a ground plane and it made a night and day difference. I left the insulation on the wire and tied it off at a 45 degree angle with some small rope but you can use anything non-conductive. Later on I added another radial and dot the SWR lower. Leave the radial a little long and you can trim some off to adjust the SWR.

[Circuit Breaker]

As others have stated, it will work - IF you add a second whip or even wire to act as the other half of the antenna. But with the time and effort needed, getting an Antron-99 might be the best approach. Relatively inexpensive and it's easy to install.

[HomerBB]

I made a 1/4ƛ GP antenna from scratch. You have the whip for the vertical. Just add some radials and you're done.

[North Texas Mudduck]

nice to go out and just buy a Maco V-5/8 and install it correctly and put it up and be done with it

its simple just pay that little extra for some peace of mind and also have alot better range both TX and RX

[Deleted User 14541]

I was in jr high in my 102" whip days...as soon as I got a job I ordered an Imax 2000.

[816dx]

After the good help you guys have gave me, I've lookied into the antron 99 and think its the bestg rout. I was looking at them online and saw that the sell just the antenna by its self and alspo have an optional ground plane kit for it. I wonder if its worth getting because most pics and vids I've seen on it are just the antenna alone. Anyway I'm going to go with the 99 and keep the 102 for mobile, just put in an order for a tri mag mount. Again I just wanted to thank everyone for the helpfull info
816

[HomerBB]

I think you'll enjoy your A99, however, in my experience, the GP kit does nothing to improve the antenna.

[Aviator]

I disagree with EVERYTHING said here. I run a 102" SS whip 25 foot in the air on TV antenna mast with a counterpoise and my SWR is FLAT. No exaggeration, my meter doesn't even move when I key. Runnin an RCI 2950 with a D104 lollipop and I'm always getting flowers from both locals and DX contacts. To the OP, I can get you some pics if you'd like.

[Deleted User 14541]

I disagree with EVERYTHING said here. I run a 102" SS whip 25 foot in the air on TV antenna mast with a counterpoise and my SWR is FLAT. No exaggeration, my meter doesn't even move when I key. Runnin an RCI 2950 with a D104 lollipop and I'm always getting flowers from both locals and DX contacts. To the OP, I can get you some pics if you'd like.

I believe it. Mine was only about 12 feet off the ground and I talked to base stations 25 miles away on a regular basis with a peaked cobra 29. Adding the counter poise was the key because it was worthless without it. The swr was around 1.3 but probably would have improved with more height. I had a bandit 2 and then an imax after that but can't make a fair comparison because they were up 30 ft on a push up pole.