Joel Kolstad wrote:
"John - KD5YI" wrote in message
news:96bsg.3011$pB.2982@trnddc06...

wrote:
Output power has nothing to do with antenna impedance.


At least until the antenna starts to melt. :-)

I have a suspicion that many of the "random wire" antennas you see on
something like his video transmitter are actually roughly lambda/2 ("end-fed
zepps") -- seems to me their impedance wouldn't be as sensitive to the exact
positioning relative to the case, his hands, etc., and that the higher
impedance is often easier to match to for a low-power transmitter anyway.


There was an article on 1/2 wave whips for handhelds a few months ago in
QEX. The author did quite a bit of experimentation, as I recall, and
specifically made a hand-held metal box on which to mount the antenna so
that his body, hands, etc would be included in his measurements. I remember
his comment about how far away from his mouth he held the box and antenna to
make his measurements.

But, I don't know how this would compare with a 1/4 wave whip for
sensitivities. It is interesting to insert a 1/4 wave whip into an MFJ269,
walk around, and watch the readings.