@Wilfred There are lots of videos on YouTube but many neglect to document exactly what happens on the feed side of the antenna. The 'active area' - the high impedance pad attached to the gate of the FET in the #PA0RDT antenna must be measuring the input voltage with respect to something! This can be the coax feeder, a ground stake ... something.

Here's a video by Owen Duffy VK1OD in which he tests the effect of different grounds with a portable receiver attached to directly to the miniwhip. This allows the effect of the ground arrangements to tested.
- www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWqJHT…

This clearly illustrates that the grounding arrangements are part of the antenna and cannot be ignored. There's more detail and some modelling in the companion article owenduffy.net/antenna/PA0RDT-M….

I've just found this www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAvm_i… where the grounding of a #miniwhip for best performance is specifically addressed.

It's clear from the many videos and reports that the PA0RDT miniwhip-style antennas can work really well, but RF is tricky stuff and there can be more to the antenna system than a 20mm plate attached to a FET.

#hamradio #activeantenna