Jim, please consider showing (in a future video) how the field strength changes with the tiger tail. I believe we fixate too much on SWR as proof that our antenna is working. Like I always say, "My dummy load has a great SWR." 73 OM
If I can find mine, I'll add it in to part 2. That's a good idea. I know SWR isn't the end-all of data points, but it's a good index of how well the antenna system is working. I know, I know, the dummy load is 1.0, but that is a test device. I look at SWR as an indicator of "un-suckiness".
My signal sticks do improve with a tiger tail of the appropriate length. It definitely improves receive (to my uncalibrated earballs) and I'm told that it makes a difference on transmit from reports. Adding a random length wire on as a counterpoise is a roll of the dice. It appears you didn't have a "lucky" length. Instead, start with about 20-1/2" and trim (in this case, it means actually **cut** the wire as rolling it doesn't seem to help) 1/8th inch at a time until tuned to suit you. If you are like me, you will be tempted to try just one more 1/8th inch off and you'll cut too much. The good news is... it's just a length of scrap wire. If you have to, make a few and trim until you learn when to stop. I use a ring terminal on the radio and an alligator clip on my tiger tails so that I can have one for VHF and one for UHF. Cheap. Easy. Effective. All things that most hams love!
@@aeb27I'd start with at least 13" and start trimming until the antenna analyzer tells me it's good enough. Expect somewhere around 12"-ish. Could be even shorter, depending on what antenna is on the HT.
Adding a counterpoise should contribute to create a resonnant dipole. Therefore I suggest using an identical antenna as a counterpoise, or at least a similar one. The angle between both elements (antenna and counterpoise) will affect the impedance, therefore the SWR. And keep in mind these antenna sticks are loaded with an inductor and quite often a small capacitor, too: matching such a stick with anything else becomes a comlex equation! 🤔
I would be curious to know if the counter poise affects transmitted or received signal strength. I am not too concerned with improving the SWR on my hand held. Also I think the length of the counter poise is important. It's not a ground plane, it's a counter poise. Just like in a dipole, the length is critical. Thanks.
Hi, a great experiment. I am sure that the 1/2 wavelength is the best one to choose. However, when holding a HT do you become part of the 'earth' through capacitance? Keep the vids coming. Like the various options that are out there.
If a glass mount works for you, it works. Chuck just doesn't like using one because he puts a ham stick on it and everytime he hits a low tree branch it rips off his window.
Jim…First, yes great to see you outside, second… may try making your poise the length of your antenna or the magic 18 or 19 inch for two meters. Test different lengths. And let’s look at impedance more than swr. 😎 the yard looks great by the way, nice manicure.
I think maybe the best HT antenna are ones that are folded "flexible metal tape" kind that spring up when you undo the velcro. Like the ones from HYS or Abree (spelling?) . They seem to be most efficient on an HT. Even tho they are like 19 or sometime 21 inches long
@@FEPLabsRadio btw, i have seen HT Antennas tested mounted on a small plate like 6x6" with a passthru SMA or BNC. I guess its to simulate the HT body and a human hand holding it. Not sure if it matters much. But something to try if you have the material
Nice experiment, but shouldn't the counterpoise be the same electrical length at the antenna. I use a trough the glass antenna on my pickup and hit repeaters 45 miles away, I have talked much farther from the top of a parking garage.
Can’t believe you were outside 👀
Me neither right!
The change of green screen is working well there Jim, a lot of people have been fooled into thinking that you were outisde. Great lighting as well...
#promove
THe length of the tiger tail is important. For 2m is will be about 20", experiment with the length
I am impressed that you made it through the entire video without having to have any words bleeped out. 🤣😂
Someone might have taken liberties with editing, that Aussie
Jim, please consider showing (in a future video) how the field strength changes with the tiger tail. I believe we fixate too much on SWR as proof that our antenna is working. Like I always say, "My dummy load has a great SWR." 73 OM
If I can find mine, I'll add it in to part 2. That's a good idea. I know SWR isn't the end-all of data points, but it's a good index of how well the antenna system is working. I know, I know, the dummy load is 1.0, but that is a test device. I look at SWR as an indicator of "un-suckiness".
I use a 19" counterpoise with the Signal Stick when I use it with my ICOM 705. I connect it to the ground. It makes a big difference and works great.
Yeah, stay tuned for part 2 tomorrow morning.
My signal sticks do improve with a tiger tail of the appropriate length. It definitely improves receive (to my uncalibrated earballs) and I'm told that it makes a difference on transmit from reports.
Adding a random length wire on as a counterpoise is a roll of the dice. It appears you didn't have a "lucky" length. Instead, start with about 20-1/2" and trim (in this case, it means actually **cut** the wire as rolling it doesn't seem to help) 1/8th inch at a time until tuned to suit you. If you are like me, you will be tempted to try just one more 1/8th inch off and you'll cut too much. The good news is... it's just a length of scrap wire. If you have to, make a few and trim until you learn when to stop.
I use a ring terminal on the radio and an alligator clip on my tiger tails so that I can have one for VHF and one for UHF. Cheap. Easy. Effective. All things that most hams love!
What’s the ideal length for uhf 70cm? Thanks!
@@aeb27I'd start with at least 13" and start trimming until the antenna analyzer tells me it's good enough. Expect somewhere around 12"-ish. Could be even shorter, depending on what antenna is on the HT.
Adding a counterpoise should contribute to create a resonnant dipole. Therefore I suggest using an identical antenna as a counterpoise, or at least a similar one. The angle between both elements (antenna and counterpoise) will affect the impedance, therefore the SWR. And keep in mind these antenna sticks are loaded with an inductor and quite often a small capacitor, too: matching such a stick with anything else becomes a comlex equation! 🤔
I would be curious to know if the counter poise affects transmitted or received signal strength. I am not too concerned with improving the SWR on my hand held. Also I think the length of the counter poise is important. It's not a ground plane, it's a counter poise. Just like in a dipole, the length is critical. Thanks.
That's funny , I hadn't finished the video yet and was wondering why I was getting pulled into this, Nice to see you outside Jim!!!
Hi, a great experiment. I am sure that the 1/2 wavelength is the best one to choose. However, when holding a HT do you become part of the 'earth' through capacitance? Keep the vids coming. Like the various options that are out there.
Jim your counter poses is way too long you should use about the length of the size of the signal stick antenna. also you should use 146.000 not 144.00
Jim, you're outside! Whoa.... good video, pro level
In the shade at least!
If a glass mount works for you, it works. Chuck just doesn't like using one because he puts a ham stick on it and everytime he hits a low tree branch it rips off his window.
Lol Ron, No Chuck doesn't like them because my buddy Javi had one and could never hear me, even when I was talking to a trucker 50 miles ahead of us
I'm gonna start using my HT all gangster like sideways now
Represent!
Yeah, your counterpoise should be a specific length for your wavelength. Matters a low.
Pretty much says what I have believed for a long time. A counterpoise on an HT really doesn’t make much difference.
I wonder what the swr is on the signal stick when it's twisted up the way everyone does it so it won't poke your eye out.
Dave, I'll add that into part 2
Jim…First, yes great to see you outside, second… may try making your poise the length of your antenna or the magic 18 or 19 inch for two meters. Test different lengths. And let’s look at impedance more than swr. 😎 the yard looks great by the way, nice manicure.
Part 2 coming tomorrow, son! The yard oughta look ok. Blood, sweat, and tears!
I think Chuck would give you grief no matter what you did! 73
Well Jeff he should have tried about 19" and held it in the air Lol just me
I think maybe the best HT antenna are ones that are folded "flexible metal tape" kind that spring up when you undo the velcro. Like the ones from HYS or Abree (spelling?) . They seem to be most efficient on an HT. Even tho they are like 19 or sometime 21 inches long
Yeah, Daniel, I agree. I really hadn't intended this to be two parts, but I can tell you, part 2 is dropping tomorrow morning. Stay tuned!
@@FEPLabsRadio btw, i have seen HT Antennas tested mounted on a small plate like 6x6" with a passthru SMA or BNC. I guess its to simulate the HT body and a human hand holding it. Not sure if it matters much. But something to try if you have the material
@@danielkramarsky5858
More info, please?
I'm looking into mounting a HT antenna on my roof temporarily during emergencies.
(I live in Florida)
Nice experiment, but shouldn't the counterpoise be the same electrical length at the antenna.
I use a trough the glass antenna on my pickup and hit repeaters 45 miles away, I have talked
much farther from the top of a parking garage.
It was just me experimenting around not really sure what I was doing. And then it turned into - testing this and that and 4 videos.
@@FEPLabsRadio I any case you made some good video's that have helpful information. Thumbs up. 👍👍👍👍
Thank you
Youre gonna have to go outside again with a shorter length Jim. :)
A test is a test and it still gave you useable data. Thnx Jimbob. ;)
New guy here...... Don't all those adapters at the base effectively worsen swr?
Not that you'd notice. They do add a tiny bit of insertion loss, but that's about it.