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I have described on this website a number of VHF/UHF antennae which have become known as the Flower Pot antennae. This material is a summary of six articles on the “Flower Pot Antenna” published in March and April 1993, March, April and November 2002 and, December 2006 in QUA – The Newsletter of the Hornsby and Districts Amateur Radio Club Inc (HADARC).

What Makes a Good Antenna Project?

A good HF, VHF and UHF antenna project has a number of essential characteristics. In addition to being an efficient and effective antenna, the other criteria are:

• Cheap and Easy to build
• Easy to replicate the design and obtain the stated performance.
• Accommodates wide tolerances – dimensions not overly critical – you can use a tape measure rather than a micrometer.
• Robust to its electrical environment – not easily detuned by nearby objects.
• No gimmicks to make it work.
• Will provide long service – not susceptible to UV degradation, moisture ingress and corrosion effects, etc.
• Solid State Output Safe (although the modern rigs these days are very rugged).
• Easy and SAFE to erect/de-erect (no sharp/ pointy bits, eye poking radials and other bits which are easily broken, etc.)