Hi all,

I have a Wouxun KG-UV9D which I got probably 11 years after getting my license, and don't use it much because I can barely reach the local repeater on a good day. I think the max output power is 5W.

I did get a longer whip antenna for it but that doesn't help much.

What would be some good options for an extranal antenna that I can put in my attic or on the roof to get better distance?

Also, I remember using a linear amplifer back in the CB days. Is such a thing possible with HT devices?

Getting a desktop HAM radio isn't really an option right now so I'm trying to make the most of what I have.

Thanks,
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Hello Nigel,

Thursday October 09 2025 00:35, you wrote to All:

What would be some good options for an extranal antenna that I can put
in my attic or on the roof to get better distance?

Have you ever heard of the Ventenna? It's an antenna that slides over your bathroom vent if you have one.

Have you tried making a J-pole? They're easy to make and can really extend your reach on 2 meter. I have one my dad made back in 2004 for me that works amazing even with a giant hill blocking many of my northern repeaters.

Also, I remember using a linear amplifer back in the CB days. Is such
a thing possible with HT devices?

Absolutely. I've seen a Tokyo Hi-Power amp made in the 80s that put out 300W from 5W input.

Getting a desktop HAM radio isn't really an option right now so I'm
trying to make the most of what I have.

I have a 2-meter mobile, a Motorola UHF mobile programmed for GMRS and local 440 repeaters, and a 220mhz (1.25m) mobile--our club is putting up a 220 repeater--sitting on my desk. All work but I need more power supplies. XD

73 DE KS4TD/WSBW961,
Sean

... "Wealth is not his that has it but his that enjoys it." - B. Franklin
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Re: Options for HT radio antenna?
By: Sean Dennis to Nigel Reed on Thu Oct 09 2025 18:25:51

Have you ever heard of the Ventenna? It's an antenna that slides over your bathroom vent if you have one.

Can't say I have and I'm not sure my wife would go for that so I'm going to have to scrap that idea.

Have you tried making a J-pole? They're easy to make and can really extend your reach on 2 meter. I have one my dad made back in 2004 for me that works amazing even with a giant hill blocking many of my northern repeaters.

I've not tried making any type of antenna yet. Just watched a video and it seems pretty easy. Almost half way to making a trombone :) The guy said he was reaching 50 miles with 5-7w so certainly interesting. I don't have any copper pipe tho but I'm sure I can find some.

Absolutely. I've seen a Tokyo Hi-Power amp made in the 80s that put out 300W from 5W input.

Also a good option but I would definitely want to have an SWR meter check before hooking something like that up. I used to have one back in England in my CB days but I'm sure it disappeared when I moved to the US.

I have a 2-meter mobile, a Motorola UHF mobile programmed for GMRS and local 440 repeaters, and a 220mhz (1.25m) mobile--our club is putting up a 220 repeater--sitting on my desk. All work but I need more power supplies. XD

My local club has a 70cm and 2m repeater along with a couple of DStar repeaters.

I did look at some mobile setup that I could sit on my desk. Amazon have them for about $150 which doesn't seem to bad but I figure if I'm going to take up more desk space, I should probably go for something with more bands since I have a general license. I wouldn't mind getting my extra so I don't have to worry as much about which bands I can and cannot use but that's not top priority right now.
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Re: Options for HT radio antenna?
By: Sean Dennis to Nigel Reed on Thu Oct 09 2025 18:25:51

Can't say I have and I'm not sure my wife would go for that so I'm going to have to scrap that idea.

I've not tried making any type of antenna yet. Just watched a video and it seems pretty easy. Almost half way to making a trombone :) The guy said he was reaching 50 miles with 5-7w so certainly interesting. I don't have any copper pipe tho but I'm sure I can find some.

Also a good option but I would definitely want to have an SWR meter check before hooking something like that up. I used to have one back in England in my CB days but I'm sure it disappeared when I moved to the US.

My local club has a 70cm and 2m repeater along with a couple of DStar repeaters.

I did look at some mobile setup that I could sit on my desk. Amazon have them for about $150 which doesn't seem to bad but I figure if I'm going to take up more desk space, I should probably go for something with more bands since I have a general license. I wouldn't mind getting my extra so I don't have to worry as much about which bands I can and cannot use but that's not top priority right now.
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Speaking of J-Pole Antenna.
Mine is a piece of 300 ohm twinline which is long enuf for Two Meters Band.
One side of the twinlead is cut to make it appear as a J-Pole.
The reinlead is enclosed in a piece of plastic tubing which has a endcap on the top.
The tubing is slightly longer than the twinlead. I allowed the extra length to allow the end to go in a piece of metal thai I turned on a lathe at work so it would fit inside the top of the mast my 2M Beam is mounted on.

On the plastic tubing (pipe) I drilled a hole to put the coax feed line just above the top of the metal mast the beam is mounted on.

Hth.
Ed
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Re: Options for HT radio antenna?
By: Ed Vance to Nigel Reed on Tue Oct 14 2025 16:26:33

Speaking of J-Pole Antenna.
Mine is a piece of 300 ohm twinline which is long enuf for Two Meters Band. One side of the twinlead is cut to make it appear as a J-Pole.
The reinlead is enclosed in a piece of plastic tubing which has a endcap on the top.
The tubing is slightly longer than the twinlead. I allowed the extra length to allow the end to go in a piece of metal thai I turned on a lathe at work so it would fit inside the top of the mast my 2M Beam is mounted on.

Not sure I understand most of this but thanks :)
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Not sure I understand most of this but thanks :)

Ed's talking about making a J-pole for2m out of 300 ohm ladder line,

I call them "emergency" antennas but they can be taped inside a window and used as a regular antenna.

73,
DSean
KS4TD/WSBW961

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Re: Options for HT radio antenna?
By: Sean Dennis to Nigel Reed on Wed Oct 15 2025 20:06:24

I call them "emergency" antennas but they can be taped inside a window and used as a regular antenna.

Ah ok.

I need to run a cable to my SDR radio so I'll probably pull some 50ohm while I'm at it. It'll be intereting to see if it'd work well in the attic, though I have that radiant barrier stuff so that might hamper signals and end up putting it outside anyway. I just have no easy roof access.
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Re: Options for HT radio antenna?
By: Sean Dennis to Nigel Reed on Wed Oct 15 2025 20:06:24

Ah ok.

I need to run a cable to my SDR radio so I'll probably pull some 50ohm while I'm at it. It'll be intereting to see if it'd work well in the attic, though I have that radiant barrier stuff so that might hamper signals and end up putting it outside anyway. I just have no easy roof access.
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Another antenna idea for outside or in the attic would be a Two Meter Halo antenna.

Halo antennas might be Old Technology today but they were popular some time ago.
Ed
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I used Plastic twinlead instead of open wire ladderline
It was made 30 years ago.
I think the tubing (plastic pipe) is 1/2" plastic waterline.
The inside of the pipe is big enough to hold the twinlead.

To get the twinlead into the pipe I put a length of string through the pipe (think I had a small weight on the end to help drop it through to the bottom), took the weight off andtied the string to the plastic twinlead so I could pull it through the pipe.
I don't recall if the coax was attached directly to the twinlead or if there was some kind of Balun made to match the coax to the 300 Ohm twinlead.

I remember long ago folding up some twinlead to make a balun for another antenna, I just can't recall if there is a balun inside the J-Pole tubing
Hmm, after looking in my ARRL Antenna manual a out baluns insted of the twinlead being folded it probably was a piece of coax I coiled up to match
a folded dipple yearsago.
Old age is rough, but once a LID always a LID.

Ed
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Re: Options for HT radio antenna?
By: Ed Vance to Nigel Reed on Thu Oct 16 2025 15:21:24

I will research and see if it might fit. Thanks.
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My 6 Meter Halo is in the attic.
I have it laying upside down with the circular portion on the attic floor and the mast sticking up
Haven't been on 6M for years. The Heathkit Sixer is in the basement and hasn't been used. I have thought about bringing it up in my room but haven't yet
My wife had me remove those ugly wires running out of this room into the dropdown attic stairs.

Up in the attic thereis also a Slinkey Antenna I made for 80 Meters.
It consist of:
4 Slinkeys - Two of them soldered together togeter for the length needed. Another Two Slinkeys put together as above.
A 6" square piece of Plexiglass in the center for an insulator between each leg of the Dipole.
2 pieces of Plexiglass (2" X 5") used to slide through the end(s) of each of the Slinkey legs and attached to the Center Insulator with machine screws, nutsand lockwashers.
On each section of Slinkey at the center insulator I soldered either the coax center conductor or the shield.
At the far ends of the attic I tied the end of each length of Slinkeys.
Of course that isn't an idae for a 2Meter antenna, it is justa attic antenna for 80M HF.
Hope you find a antenna you can use with your HT.
Ed
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Re: Options for HT radio antenna?
By: Nigel Reed to Sean Dennis on Thu Oct 09 2025 18:29:07

I wouldn't mind getting my extra so I don't have to worry as much about which bands I can and cannot use...

Shouldn't you already know that since it's covered on the exam? However, there are bandplan charts online you can print out and keep in your shack.
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LOL. This came to my BBS with the exciting subject of : z

What this a Typo or are there Gremlins at work?

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