I had watched the original video on the other channel and commented because I was disappointed there was no testing done. There was just some hand waving and assurance is the the tiger tail works without anything to prove that. I appreciate you doing the testing to verify that it works.

That was great to see, thanks for taking my video to the next level and showing the testing! Thanks for the link back also. I will put a link in my description to this video also. 73...wd0akx

In every single one of these videos I see about making a counterpoise for a handheld radio, the operator is using a SMA to BNC adapter for their antennas. They're trying to improve the performance of an antenna they've already compromised by adding the adapter. These adapters add 3/4 of an inch to the antenna length and introduce additional loss to the RF path with the additional connections. While this might not have an effect when close to the other radio, whether a repeater or another handheld, it could make the difference between a contact or no contact when operating at the limit of the radio's capabilities.

that's a neat trick! Thank you for sharing, really appreciated!

You know what I like best about your channel, Kevin? The work you do to prove ( or disprove) a theory. Thank you, Kevin.

That’s a creative way to test range without walking too much! Thanks.

Hi Kevin, It is quite amazing that this is not a tip in the rigs manual. the counterpoise basically gives you 1/2 wave dipole on the handheld and has you proved out by testing it works. 73 de G0WXU (JOHN)

I'm a relative newbee here so please take this with a grain of salt. If any of you old timers have opinions I'll appreciate any corrections to my thinking. To calculate the wavelength of antenna the formula in inches is: 5905 x A / frequency in MHz where A is a small variable depending on the wire gauge you use to construct the counterpoise. A = either .96 or .98. depends on wire gauge. So in my case: 5905 X .96 divided by the frequency for a full wave. The frequency would be divided by 2 for half-wave. After calculations it is approximately 18 and 3/8 inches long for a frequency of 154.570 Where as this works I don't think it is not as good as an extended gain antenna which is designed for the complete frequency range of a radio whereas as the wire length needs to be varied for a specified frequency. Proof: =(5905*0.96)/(154.57)/2 = 18.3373229

Kevin, I have done this with my own HT and was amazed at the results. I found it to be quite directional in the direction of the counterpoise. Just goes to show the antenna is as important as the radio. David Byrd KN4BHS

Thanks for this video. I found the original RadioHamGuy video unconvincing. When experimenting, I feel there should be some testing to demonstrate benefit. Thanks for doing the tests and sharing the information with us. The counterpoise tail would be inexpensive and portable enough to have when you wanted the performance boost, and it could be omitted for casual use where the inconvenience might not be needed.

Thanks! And by the way your intro is awesome!

Great vid with real world experimentation and feedback!

Very helpful. will try on my new Bofang UV-5R HT's. Pulled a fairly decent voice signal in simplex mode from a mile away ( my house to the Home Depot parking lot) testing FRS ch. 5 frequency with the standard duck antenna in a heavy residential area, will run a tiger tail and see if the signal gets clearer with the same A to B test locations. Thank you much Sir!

Great video thank you. Very informative

Thank you a great video! So many people ramble on and one, and have audible pauses that I just want to go to something else. You video was interesting and well-made! I did some math, and depending on if you test it at 145 MHz and 146 MHz, it varies from 19.36 to 19.23 inches. I typically use 19.25" to where the end ring touches the antenna. That's such a small difference that 19.5" is fine. I know this might be a bit weird, but for the heck of it, have you ever tried more than one tiger tail? The possibility of interacting with things around the antenna would be higher, but it would be interesting to try it out.

Excellent video about how to use a counterpoise for your 2 Meter rig! 73 Tony Ridlen KC9QVE Gas City,Indiana

Thanks for taking the time to make the video! It really seems to work. I will give a go tomorrow.

Great video , no question a rat tail works and good info on length which makes sense. I have two questions what about orientation of the counterpoise itself ? i.e. if were to be placed vertical in a vertical dipole fashion vs hang any which way or even point directionally any testing on that ? I realize not exactly a ground plane but as you know orientation can have some effect curious if experimented in that regard or anyone else has as well. thx again . Been watching entire antenna series

1:07 wait, my uv5r antenna connector does not look like that. I have to unscrew mine and inside it looks like a coax connector. Yet yours has like a stud. Am I missing something?

Wish you could test this at the 70cm range, but I know the MFJ you have won't get there. Thanks for the video and thanks to @radiohamguy for the original video

What about testing with and with out on the air or with a field strength meter? A real test.

Great tip. Barry, KU3X

I've seen this and I've wondered if the capacitance of a person holding the radio would drop the SWR. Since these antennas are meant for handhelds.

thanks for a great video and test. can you speculate if there would be any difference to your results if the counterpoise was wrapped around the radio (and not hanging) since i don't have a 2m swr meter, can you please help me ... what wire length should I use for a 6,6" antenna? thanks!

2 meters is 200 centimeters. divide by 4 for a 1/4 wave is 50cm and 50 cm converted to inches is 19.68504 inches or maybe about 19 and 5/8 might be close to that decimal amount.

Can I ask you another question, Instead of having the wire hanging 19 inches straight down can you coil it around a pencil so just Kind on the side of the radio but much shorter, It’s still 19 1/4 inches it’s just coiled up I guess the same way they do with the rubber ducky

I did this with my handheld Cb radio. It helps in receiving dx.

Thank you de David AE4LH

Excellent video. I had seen the original video as well but wasn't a believer as there was no testing done. A question for you, with the original rubber duck that comes with the UV-5R, what length of wire would you recommend? Thanks for another great video.

i HAVE A tyt-tH-UV88 hHT.i CANNOT GET INTO ANY LOCAL REPEATER (2-3 MILES MAX). i CANNOT FIND A "GROUND) externally on this mess. My antenna conn is an SMA female on the radio with a rubber washer completely surrounding the thread. I'm afraid to wire onto that so as to make the smoke fly. Any suggestions as I NEED a counter poise. Thanks and I enjoy all of your videos.

Can you coil or bundle the rat tail to make it tidier or will this drastically affect the performance

what length would you use for a dual band ht?

And when you do this do you have to strip the insulation off the wire

Yes your wire will improve the RX, I also observe that. What will possibly be not improved is your TX, because it all depends on the antenna and also the HT you are using. F.e. I cant observe any improvement in TX when using my nice (and expensive) portable antennas.

Very informative video. Thanks. KI6BNT.

Is it general rule of thumb to make your counterpoise the same length as your antenna?

Probably not coincidence that 19-20" is best, since that's about 500mm which is 1/4 wavelength. I'm sure some boffin can explain that.... Jim ZS6JMB

Are you aware that by having that SMA to BNC adapter on your radio, you've affected your antenna's efficiency in two ways? First, there is the loss from the two additional connections between the antenna and the radio. Second, you've essentially lengthened the antenna by an inch, which might be why the antenna by itself is resonant outside the band.

HELP, I hope your still there. I am trying to figure out how long a radial would be for a 7/8 wave 2m/70cm mobile antenna would be. And I am having problems. If your still there, and you know, could you help me out.

Ok also did something like that with the family radio are you a prayer hey I put a telescopic antenna on family radio improved the weather grand reception

Does the wire have to be bare?

If you don’t want to do a wire, you can solder it to the connector, or you could hang the wire off a screw on the back of your radio but you have to check it Hass to have Continuity

"Ground plane"

Need a real-world test.

For anyone else doing this mod. DON'T do it this way as you can short out the aerial and burn out your transmitter circuit ! Connect it to another ground point on the belt clip screw, it works exactly the same without the risk !

So with your video you were just proving that ham radio guy wasn't bullshiting sounds to me like you had doubts So you had to make your own video and tail off his. If someone did that to me I would say he was calling me a liar or a bullshiter.