Sure, a tree cannot be a good antenna. Any "real" antenna will probably
always be better. But often the question is: no antenna at all or
anything which does not seem to be an antenna. Perhaps a tree can be
such a thing. Further, in portable operation, it is not always easy to
install a "real" antenna.

Claude


Trees are, as already noted, usable as VHF antennas when properly
'fed'...whether you should or shouldn't use a tree is your decision. It is
hardly a new idea. Certainly placing a bona fide VHF antenna--in the clear--on
top of the tree is the better of the two options.

The interesting question is: how does a tree compare to a ground-based
monopole?

There is a reason why VHF monopole antennas are not on the ground, whereas MF
ones are.

Experiment for more info. Many have been down this path before. I don't know a
sap or a chump in the bunch.

73,
Chip N1IR