Halo Antenna Projects for VHF/UHF Ham Radio Operators
Find construction plans and design ideas for building your own halo antennas for various amateur radio bands, including 6 meters, 2 meters, and 70 centimeters.
Halo antennas are popular compact, horizontally polarized antennas often used by hams for VHF and UHF operation, especially for mobile use or in situations where space is limited. Their omnidirectional or near-omnidirectional radiation pattern makes them suitable for local QSOs and contesting on bands like 6 meters, 2 meters, and 70 centimeters, where horizontal polarization is often preferred for SSB and weak-signal work.
Operators can find numerous homebrew projects for building halo antennas, ranging from simple wire designs to more robust aluminum constructions. Many articles provide detailed dimensions and construction tips for specific bands, such as the 6-meter mobile halo or stacked 2-meter halo arrays. Some projects, like those by N6TWW, offer step-by-step guides for building these compact antennas for various VHF/UHF amateur radio activity.
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This halo antenna was built to have an omnidirectional coverage while working in VHF contests. -
2 meter & 70 centimeter mobile halo antenna project, by N6TWW Mike Fedler -
A project for a 144 Mhz halo antenna -
In this eHam article you will find parts list and dimension sheet for a 2m square dipole, made from copper plumbing fittings and 1/2 inch copper water pipe. -
This halo antenna for 50 MHz is made with a true Gamma Section this time and is fashioned from aluminum -
Halo antenna plan for the six meters band -
Article on a 2 and 6 meters halo antennas that does not require a mast has a very low part count and can easily be built with a minimum of tools. -
A well documented article about construction and analysis of a horizontally polarized halo antenna for 6 meters band by Dr. Carol F. Milazzo, KP4MD -
Halo antenna for 4 meters band with dimensions, pictures and assembling instructions -
An Halo antenna for the six meters band in French -
An halo stack antenna for 70 cm by KR1ST -
The Jones version of the Lawn Chair 6M Halo -
The Homebase-10 is a wire halo antenna for 10m built with DIY store parts, effective despite its small size. Includes a dual-band version for 10m and 6m with gain around 0 to -2dBd, near omnidirectional pattern, and horizontal polarization. Overview based on a 2008 Practical Wireless article. -
Italian web site describing a project for a 2 meters home made halo antenna -
This HALO design is not ground dependent and can be mounted atop a section of PVC. -
2 Meter Halo Antenna project by Mike Fedler with many detailed pictues and detailes homebrewing instructions so you can build your own -
Stacking 2 Meter Halo Antennas by Mike Fedler N6TWW -
The SQUARE-Pole is a 1/2-wave dipole that has been bent into a square by WB2VUO -
Construction and analysis of a low cost omnidirectional horizontally polarized antenna for 144 MHz, including notes on halo antenna stacking -
The antenna described in this article is for 50 MHz, but the design can be scaled for any band, including VHF, UHF, or even the higher HF bands. The antenna is nothing more than a square loop of wire, approximately 30" (or ~76cm) per side. The loop is fed in the middle of one side, and the opposite side to the feed point has a gap in it. -
How to build a limited space 10 and 20 meter band Square Halo DX antenna. A horizontally polarized antenna for 10 and 20 meter band, which is suitable for a limited space.