Home >> Hobbies >> Ham Radio

How to Convert an 11-Meter Antenna to 2-Meter

An 11-meter antenna is used for CB radio communications. The 2-meter band is often used by amateur radio enthusiasts for local communications. An 11-meter antenna can be converted for use on the 2-meter band by trimming it down for the VHF (Very High Frequency) band. It is important to make the 2-meter antenna the correct length for it to work with the 2-meter radio correctly. Making the antenna too long or too short can possibly damage the equipment.

Things You'll Need

Metal snips
Measuring tape
Thick sandpaper
Marker

Instructions

- 1
  Measure precisely 19.5 inches from the base of the antenna. The appropriate length of a 2-meter antenna is 20 inches, but the extra half inch accounts for the antenna continuing into the base.
- 2
  Mark a spot at the 19.5 inch point.
- 3
  Use metal snips to cut the antenna straight across at the mark. If the snips won't work, use a hacksaw.
- 4
  Sand the tip of the antenna. Do this carefully and until the end is no longer sharp.
- 5
  Plug antenna into a ham radio transceiver and begin use.

Ham Radio