Why not just build a j-pole out of copper plumbing pipe? It's cheap and will give you really good gain! The only thing you are going to do with a tuner is keep from blowing your transmitter up from the power reflected back by a crap antenna. An antenna tuner doesn't fix a bad antenna. It only catches the reflected power from it before it fries your transmitter. You can use box springs as an antenna with the right tuner - IT DOESN'T MAKE THE ANTENNA ANY BETTER!
An efficient antenna is one that resonates on the frequency you are transmitting on. Hams use a tuner so they can use several different bands with only one antenna. You will NEVER find a ham using a tuner on a single band antenna!
You have 3 choices here:
1. Get some free plans for a J-Pole on the Internet, Do the research to figure out the exact wavelength of your frequency, spend $20.00 for some plumbing pipe and elbows and have a great antenna that will make you happy.
2. Build an antenna tuner so you don't blow up your transmitter, but have virtually no coverage from an inefficient antenna.
3. Spend the bread on a commercially available antenna to get the same results as choice #1, but with a LOT less money in your pocket afterwards.
If I can answer any questions regarding it's performance or otherwise please feel free to message me here on this forum or e-mail me directly. I'd be happy to assist you !
73... Spooky...
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