Okay, here it is.
Parts:
MFJ 1620T - $19.95 (from HRO)
Stud Mount w/SO239 - $5.83 (from Love's)
90 degree connector - $5.99 (from Love's)
Simpson Strong Tie BC40Z - $5.78 (from Home Depot)
25’ Roll 16AWG Stranded Primary Wire (2) - $5.70 ea= $11.40 (from Home Depot)
Wire Terminals, nuts, bolts, washers – I had these on hand
Pics: (Click on each for larger image)
MFJ - 1620T
Strong Tie with stud mount and connector attached. No bending was required.
The four radials attached. (The Strong Tie came with 3 pre-drilled holes and rather than break out the drill I simply attached 2 radials to the same terminal.)
This short piece of 1X4 is used to hold the bracket on the ground. It simply lays across the bottom flange and is secured with bricks. The four bolts attach to the ends of the radials and serve to hold them in place .
All set up!
Almost invisible.
SWR readings after adjusting the length of the steel whip portion of the antenna.
These were the best I could get, so I called it good. Experimenting with different radial lengths and increasing their number would likely result in better numbers but I'm happy with these.
Impedance, Resistance, and Reactance.
Not the best numbers in the world. Nor the worst.
Patio station.
Performance:
Not much activity on 20 meters today but did make one contact to Connecticut (from Texas). Unable to do so QRP. Had to use 50 watts.
Conclusion:
It was simple to make. Didn't cost much. Not a worldbeater but it does work. And it was FUN!
And it's not limited to 20 meters. MFJ makes their 1600T series antennas for all the bands.
Will this be my go-to base antenna? Nope. Am going to stick with my attic end fed for now. But this antenna will be used when the weather is really nice and I want to get outside to operate. And it will be fun to take camping. (If I can ever get the wife to go.)
That's all I have for now. Thanks for reading.