Speaking of PORTABLE base station aerials ??

[Lightspeed]

Hi NR,

Magmount and steel plate sounds somewhat heavy for portable use. Ideal ground plane is 2.56 metres radius from the antenna, your idea will work, but performance will be compromosed.

I assumed that when portable you'd want equipment lightweight?

Attached is a diagram of a version of my patrol manpack. Not sure if I've posted this before? The pack has a metal frame which supports the antenns on a truck mirror rotatable mount. The frame acts as a viable groundplane.

The antenna described telescopes down to a couple of feet long robust glass fiber formed loading coil. simply connect the antenna to the rig, pull up the antenna and you are good to go.

Anopther fold out solution woule be an adapted clansman fold out antenna, these are very robust and durable.