The center-fed doublet is an effective two-way (bidirectional) antenna. Or screw to each end of the battery, ensuring they don't touch, and connect the wire to each.

A dead flashlight battery BA-30 makes an ideal resistor for low-power radios. To make this a one-way (unidirectional) antenna, add a resistor at the end toward the distant station.

This ground clearance is necessary to prevent accidents or injuries involving Connect the other end to a pole or a tree in the direction in which communication is required. The antenna should be erected at least 7 to 9 feet high at the radio and 15 to 20 feet above groundĪt the other end. The wire must be adequately insulated to prevent accidental grounding. Tightly twist the first section of the WD-1, and connect the end between the antenna base and the antenna support This makes it an excellent antijamming device. Increases the range of transmission and reception, but it also tends to reject or reduce signals from other directions. Maximum radiation is off the ends of this antenna thus, it is highly directional. This is probably the simplest, yet most effective, antenna for communicating over long distances. Ensure the improvised antenna is vertical. The bare wire between the antenna base and the antenna support receptacle, and retighten the antenna base. Loosen the antenna base on the radio, place Strip about 1 inch of insulation from the end to be attached to the radio. One end, and use a rope attached to the insulator to elevate the antenna. Cut a 10-foot piece of wire, attach an insulator to In a static position, a broken whip antenna may be replaced by using WD-1 communications wire and an overhead branch or some support assembly. The field-expedient antennas discussed below are relatively simple, easy to construct from available materials, and highly effective. Proper maintenance must be performed to get optimum performance from the equipment. Understand the application of field-expedient antennas for maintaining or enhancing communications and for electronic counter-countermeasures (ECCM). Poor or erratic radio communications may be the result of excessive distances between stations, unfavorable terrain or weather, or defective antenna equipment.

Antenne vhf