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! 🤔
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".
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.
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.
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.
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
