When selecting the best option for your HAM radio needs, a few factors are worth considering, especially when it comes to the component most critical for transmission: the antenna.

Look no further than the 2 Meter VHF Halo Antenna for an economical, lightweight, and simple HAM radio solution.

This short guide explains all you need to know about this antenna, including assembling and testing it. Reading this will give you a clear idea of what to expect so that once your parcel arrives, you will have all the information you need to get going right away.

How to Assemble the 2 Meter VHF Halo Antenna

Part of what makes this lightweight antenna so simple is how easy it is to get set up. However, it is certainly worth reading through this walk-through guide before installing. Looks can be deceiving, and what might look like an instant setup may require a little disassembling and soldering before it's ready to mount. Read on to find out more.

Out of the Box/Bag

When you first open the bag, you may be pretty surprised by the size of the halo antenna. This compact antenna feels relatively small but is precisely the right size for the desired purpose. While it is certainly not as big as some of the older clunky antennas you might be used to, this appears to be one of its instant benefits.

Inside the bag, you will find a small bracket and mounting pole with the halo. Attaching the mounting pole is a little more complicated than you might expect at first. However, the elaborate setup ensures that your antenna is securely mounted.

Follow the steps below for disassembling and assembling the Halo antenna.

Taking It Apart

Before attaching the mount, the first thing that you will need to do is completely deconstruct the mount.

Under the base case, you will see two lugs - on the right is the driven element lug; on the left is the earth side.

• Remove the metal block from inside the base. To free the metal block from the black base, remove the screw with the lug and slide out the metal block.
• Take the black cap off the base, which you will see at the bottom of the halo.
• From beneath the black base, unscrew the nut and washer. Keep these somewhere close nearby so that you don't lose them.
• Now, remove the horizontal element by unscrewing the bolt on the right side of the halo.

After this disassembling, the base should be completely free from the halo antenna. Just make sure to keep all the bolts nearby!

Assembling

Now you are free to insert your mounting pole and one step closer to mounting your antenna.

• Take your mounting pole and ensure to remove the end cap.
• Slide it into the base and screw in the bottom again, threading it into the halo. For a reference of the end result, try laying the halo in front of you so that the antenna faces away. The black base should be mounted facing away from you, with the lugs pointing toward you.
• Once this is complete, put the washer and nut back in place, keeping it loose enough to replace the element on the right of the halo.
• Then all you need to do is screw it in tight, and you're all set.

Now, your halo antenna is completely assembled and ready to get transmitting!

How to Test the 2 Meter VHF Halo Antenna

The VHF Halo Antenna is a cheap solution that seems to fit all needs without fuss, but how does it hold up?&nbsp;</p>

Our tests clearly show that this antenna is effective and delivers a fantastic result. You may want to get up on your roof and begin using it right away, but before you do, it may be worth testing out the antenna first.

Connect the Coax

The first thing you will need to do is attach your coax to the antenna. Carefully solder your coax in place and slide the black cap onto the base, ensuring that everything is where it needs to be.

If you want to keep everything in place, feel free to use some electrical tape to ensure the cord is in place and not slipping.

Connect to the Radio

The next step is primarily up to you, but we used a PL 259 to connect our radio with an RJ 58U coaxial cable for testing purposes.

This combination may result in some loss but will serve well for testing purposes and is always upgradable. Keeping things cheap and straightforward at the testing phase is always recommended!

Testing It

For testing purposes, install it somewhere high but manageable. Later, you may want to move it somewhere higher up for better results. Mounting it on a low wall, we still received some exciting results!

On receive, we noted a definite difference between horizontal and verticle. Horizontal polarisation prevents the transmission interference that often comes with vertical polarisation. A horizontally polarised antenna will perform better the higher it goes, which will affect where you may choose to mount your antenna.

In our testing, the SWR meter peaked at about 2. Installing the antenna higher up would reduce this reading. At a frequency between 144-146MHz you should be able to get an ideal 1.5:1 VSWR, or better.

Conclusion

The 2 Meter VHF Halo Antenna is an excellent option to achieve horizontal polarisation without fuss. The value is immediatelyapparent, even at the testing phase. With just a bit more time spent, this antenna certainly will prove to be a cheap and effective solution to your needs.

Interested in improving your transmission for a low cost? Find out more below!