The 1.25meter 5/8 wave antenna was chosen because of the diversity of the antenna. Generally 5/8 wave antennas hear well as transmit well. All components easily found at the hardware store. Used 1″ copper pipe for the main radiator and ground radials. The radiator element started at 32″ long and the ground radials started at 13′ long
Had to cut ground plane and main radiator a small amount to achieve best VSWR and impedance. So far to date Simplex communications have been as far as 35 miles and repeater communications have been as far as 50 miles away. Considering at the moment that the antenna is only 20 feet off the ground I am pretty happy with that.
