There were 14 builders in attendance at the UHF/VHF Ground Plane Antenna-Building Workshop on June 14, 2026, .and there were a few more hams there helping out. Harrie, VE3HYS, led the workshop and Guy, VE3GOI, stepped up to help Harrie, walking the group through the build, step by step, with a PowerPoint presentation.

Together, we built a simple-but-effective, and very versatile, antenna consisting of an SO-239 panel-mount connector with four ground plane radials: one connected to each of the four fasteners on the corners of the panel mount connector, and one more vertical rod as the main element.

Everyone left with an antenna that can be mounted on a piece of PVC pipe and set up temporarily or even permanently attached to a fence or tree or anywhere that will offer a higher location. The connector can be set on the PVC pipe and the feedline drops to the ground through the pipe.

Several people who did not have previous soldering experience took the OARC Soldering Skills workshop first and this helped ensure they had the needed skills. Most participants brought their own soldering iron and basic tools for this workshop; the Club made some basic tools available during the session for those who didn’t have everything they needed.

Everyone seemed to have a good time. Most people were finished in a little over two hours.

Photos from the workshop