DIY ground plane

[nick1427d]

Anyone know where I can buy "radials" to make my own ground plane out of NMO mount? Or what I could use from a hardware store?

I will be making 2 a VHF for fire (154mhz) and 800mhz using mobile antennas

Before I'm hit with comments I know this isn't a "perfect" set up, just looking to improve on what i already have.

 

[K9WG]

Brass weld rods without flux coating.

 

[k9rzz]

Or use wire if you've got some around. It depends on how hurricaine proof you want to make it.

 

[prcguy]

Most NMO mounts are designed to use with thin sheet metal car skin and if the metal is too thick the center contact will be recessed and not work.

Some home improvement stores and most hobby shops carry thin brass sheet and brass rods and it would be easy to make a small L bracket from maybe .040 thick brass a little wider than the mount, cut a hole for the NMO and solder some brass rods for ground radials.
prcguy

 

[LtDoc]

Quite literally, you are only limited by your imagination, sort of. Metal coat-hangers, brazing rods, metal trash can lids, and so on. If you are near a 'hobby/arts/crafts shop' they usually carry brass wire of varying sizes that are stiff enough to support them selves. Or use something to support a flimsier conductor. Plastic/fiberglass/wooden rods come to mind.
If it will conduct electricity it can be used as a part of an antenna, that opens up a huge number of possibilities. Then you get to figure out what will with stand where you will place the thing, weather, wind, all that sort of thingys.
Have fun.
- 'Doc

That doesn't give a specific source for things, but it should point you in a couple of direction to look for them.

 

[nick1427d]

Wow thanks everyone.

What's a good length for 154mhz and also 800mhz as far as the radials go?

 

[nick1427d]

One more ?

I have a mirror mount NMO bracket that I was going to attach to my rain gutters. Can I just solder the rods to the bracket?

It's going to be a 1/4 wave VHF, will the aluminum gutters effect it much?