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How to Build a CB Ground Plane Antenna

If you are a CB radio hobbyist with limited space for a large, vertical base antenna, a ground plane antenna may be an effective alternative. A ground plane antenna is designed with four radials, which hang from the vertical antenna element. These radials provide the antenna system with an artificial ground that is necessary to bring the antenna into balance with the radio. The antenna can be quickly hung for use, both at home or in the field.

Things You'll Need

Speaker wire, 16-gauge, 3 feet long
Coaxial cable, 50-ohm with connectors, 8 feet long
Ring terminal lug, 16-gauge
Soldering iron and solder
Pliers
Utility knife
Wire-stripping tool
Small piece of twine

Instructions

- 1
  Separate the speaker wire, and cut five 105-inch single lengths of wire. Strip 1/2 inch of insulation from one end of each wire.
- 2
  Cut the connector from one end of the coaxial cable. Remove 1 inch of insulation from the end. Pull the braided insulation back over the cable. Strip 1/2 inch of plastic insulation from the inner copper wire.
- 3
  Solder the exposed end of a 105-inch wire to the coaxial copper wire. Crimp a ring terminal to the free end of the 105-inch wire. Tie a loop of twine to the ring terminal.
- 4
  Solder the four remaining 105-inch wires to the braided insulation, staggering the wires around the cable. These wires will compose the ground radials of the antenna.
- 5
  Wrap electrical tape around the wire connections to protect the solder points.
- 6
  Hang the antenna from the loop of twine, allowing the four radials to dangle. Connect the antenna to the external jack of the CB radio using the coaxial cable.

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