Radio Corner

"What PMR homebased antenna should I use?"

This question was asked on the Monday Night PMR net, so here is my take on what might work for someone coming into the PMR radio hobby.

I would first see where the antenna is going to be placed. Will it be on a chimney, pole in the garden or a pole on the side of the house and at what height?

With the location decided, this is the choice you have.

A Diamond/Sharman "white stick" antenna. There are many versions out, X30, X50, X200, etc. These are dual band antennas for the amateur bands but do work on PMR and the general rule is the bigger the number, the bigger the antenna and DB gain.

White Stick (https://www.diamondantenna.net/products/X30A)

Sirio make a couple of antennas that can be used on PMR, the weird looking CX-440, a Di-pole, there take on the "white stick" and beam antenna's

http://sirio.store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=85 (http://sirio.store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=85)

http://sirio.store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3_15&products_id=100 (http://sirio.store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3_15&products_id=100)

Thinking of a beam? Well once up, it will look like a TV aerial which will keep the neighbours happy and guessing if they see it moving round.

http://sirio.store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3_15&products_id=103 (http://sirio.store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3_15&products_id=103)

The last choice would be to build your own. A little GPA can be made for next to nothing and will look small when viewed from the ground.

https://m0ukd.com/calculators/quarter-wave-ground-plane-antenna-calculator/ (https://m0ukd.com/calculators/quarter-wave-ground-plane-antenna-calculator/)

Hope this is some help.

Good luck and welcome to the hobby

Best 73

Ray 2290

I use a Sharman X50 as I also operate 2M & 70cm with it, at my location it works quite well but if I wasn't such an old skinflint I would probably go for the X200.
Mine is on the top of the tv mast on the chimney.

I Started with a coax "bazooka" or flowerpot antenna which worked great to get me started until it got shut in the loft hatch by accident.

I then made a GPA antenna on a 259 chassis mount just like the video Ray posted and i couldn't be happier they are easy to tune, nice and compact (great if your only option is in the loft). i truly believe anyone can make one.

but the gain of a nice brought antenna does have its appeal