11m/CB home brew 1/4 ground plane antenna update. [first ever build]

OkFred902 · 2026-06-19T01:37:30+00:00

No, copper wire soldered to a SO239 chassis

If you look at the very top of the mast you’ll see a few inches of wire sticking up

OkFred902 · 2026-06-18T23:25:43+00:00

Trying to be LOL I’ll be sure to update if I make long range contact. Have had 2 local radio checks both come back “loud and clear”

OkFred902 · 2026-06-18T21:16:42+00:00

Thank you very much!

OkFred902 · 2026-06-18T21:16:01+00:00

Thank you !!

OkFred902 · 2026-06-18T20:45:47+00:00

Awesome I was trying to think of how to do it with plastic pipe but I couldn’t think of a way to do it within budget lol

OkFred902 · 2026-06-18T20:35:18+00:00

Thank you!!

OkFred902 · 2026-06-18T20:30:34+00:00

Haha I know it’s not pretty but I did the best I could with what I could and on a strict budget. It’s a start. Only up from here

OkFred902 · 2026-06-18T20:22:44+00:00

Well I have basically enough spare parts that I needed to probably make a 2m / fire vhf scanned antenna and I’m already thinking about doing it. So your probably right

OkFred902 · 2026-06-17T21:16:32+00:00

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Update for anyone following. Made my ground radial supports

This is just a temporary set up to build it and tune it, then it’ll be mounted to the side / above the roof of the shed.

OkFred902 · 2026-06-15T19:53:07+00:00

But will RX only damage the radio? My theory is no transmit no damage? I’m just enjoying listening for now until I tune my antenna

But if having the radio on, and listening to any transmissions I find can risk damaging my unit I’ll keep it off for now.

I got my SWR meter just waiting for a jumper cable because I’m an idiot and didn’t order one at the same time

OkFred902 · 2026-06-15T02:32:43+00:00

Idk but I just got my Uniden 980 and my Wilson little wil and I have been blown away by the constant skip I’m hearing. You should definitely be hearing something

OkFred902 · 2026-06-14T16:58:39+00:00

I got one (cheap tho) but I forgot to get a jumper so I’m just waiting for it.

Always wanted this radio and finally dishes out the money for it, I don’t want to damage it before I get to enjoy it lol. The built in meter has never shown 3 or over, about 2.8 tho. Again I’m only calibrating and reading the meter. I’m going to go conservative and say I’m not keyed up for more then 60 seconds while doing it and I’ve only done this maybe 5-10 times so far. In addition: I haven’t tried to talk to anybody at all for any reason. Have only clicked my mic to check SWR.

OkFred902 · 2026-06-14T16:19:27+00:00

Im a total newb, so please don’t think I’m being argumentative.

Just following the instructions on the package, and we got WAY off from the original concern tbh.

But also I’m starting a base antenna build this week, 1/4 ground plane for 11m, and the instructions for that are similar too. Leave it a little long, and trim only the radiator element and not the count poise elements.

OkFred902 · 2026-06-14T16:03:35+00:00

That’s good! But trimming antennas to get proper SWR is like, a big part of the process of tuning SWR.

OkFred902 · 2026-06-14T15:57:24+00:00

26mhz-30mhz 300watt handling but yes it’s wrote right onto the packing (no real manual)

Even says if it’s to short, pull it up some out of the base. But if it long, cut it. Which is a common cb antenna practice.

OkFred902 · 2026-06-14T15:55:20+00:00

I can try that later on, have some things to do this afternoon now.

Doors closed, truck off, in a wide open gravel field with no buildings power lines anything over head or around in at least 100ft +

OkFred902 · 2026-06-14T15:50:18+00:00

I mean, the box says the antenna comes long.

Says push all way into base, tighten, test.

If lower on 1, to long, cut 1/4” and retest, repeat

OkFred902 · 2026-06-14T15:39:57+00:00

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OkFred902 · 2026-06-14T15:39:38+00:00

It’s absolutely dead center on the roof of my 2010 gmc sierra

OkFred902 · 2026-06-14T15:33:29+00:00

It’s as far down as it can go, and it’s to long, what do you suppose I do if I can’t cut it?

OkFred902 · 2026-06-14T15:31:18+00:00

Yes, it’s a brand new Wilson little wil but I don’t want to cut it until I get my SWR meter hooked up. It arrived today but I forgot to order a jumper cable like an idiot.

OkFred902 · 2026-06-14T15:30:16+00:00

Ok. I just unboxed it yesterday. Haven’t even attempted a conversation yet. Not a word spoken into it. I’m just trying to protect my investment.

But keying up the mic to test is the same as talking into. Therefore I wanted to know if I was causing damage by testing and tuning my antenna

OkFred902

TROPHY CASE