Richard Bateman’s, KD7BBC, Signal Stuff makes high-performing antennas for VHF/UHF handy-talkies. The Super-Elastic Signal Stick is a classic 1/4 wave 2-meter design, which is also a 3/4 wavelength on 70cm. The Signal Stick is 19″ long but is made from elastic wire that can be coiled up with no memory. It outperforms rubber ducks. Signal Sticks are available in various colors, including a glow-in-the-dark one. The antennas are available with BNC, SMA-M, and SMA-F connectors and have a lifetime warranty.

Proceeds from antenna sales are used to support free study courses for ham licenses.  Explore their modestly priced products here.

Radioddity.com carries a variety of inexpensive radios for FRS, GMRS, and amateur FM and DMR (digital) bands. The dual band Radioddity GD-77 covers both 2 meters and 70 cm in both FM and DMR. DMR is a digital mode that can connect to talk groups around the world through a repeater or hotspot you buy or build to connect your radio to the world through the internet.

Jason Oleham, KM4ACK, has a Raspberry Pi project Build-A-Pi, which contains just about every Linux software package needed for ham radio. He has many YouTube videos covering Build-A-Pi and many other aspects of ham radio.

Jason also makes a 49:1 end-fed half-wave antenna kit. The antenna works without needing a tuner on 10M, 15M, 20M & 40M with SWR ≤ 2:1  and it’s easy to build! Just wind the toroid, solder a few joints, connect the wire, and you are on the air. There’s also an easy-to-follow assembly video. The antenna weighs approximately 6 oz when complete. It handles 50W SSB and 20W Digital/CW. It’s perfect for portable operations. It’s a great first antenna project and it’s cost-effective too.  

It sells out quickly but is regularly restored as he has time to make the kits. You can leave your email on his website to be notified when they are back in stock. When you are notified, act quickly.

Eagle Scout James Hannibal offers the SlinkTenna, which is an unusual use for a Slinky.

The SlinkTenna is a compact, quick deploy, portable, helical ham radio antenna. It covers the 80 meter through 6 meter Amateur Radio bands and can handle up to 100 watts SSB, 50 watts CW, & 25 watts digital. It utilizes an internal 9:1 UnUn and a BNC female antenna connector. An antenna tuner is required for this antenna to properly function.

When collapsed, SlinkTenna measures a little over 6 inches long and is roughly 12 feet in length when fully deployed. Weight is about 12 ounces. Total antenna electrical wire length is roughly 54 feet. With proper deployment of 10+ feet above ground, at least 10 feet of 50 ohm coax and proper grounding, an SWR of 1.5 to 1.0 can be easily achieved on all supported bands with most auto tuners as well as most compact manual tuners.

The SlinkTenna is ideal for portable QRP operation such as SOTA, POTA, Field Day, as well as camping/backpacking trips. It is also very effective for houses and apartments with HOA antenna restrictions. It’s small enough to be deployed in crawl spaces, attics, garage rafters, balconies, & even some large closets.

Quick and easy to use with portable rigs that utilize automatic antenna tuners (10:1 or better recommended).

Read about the history of the Slinky toy.