The end fed halfwave antenna (EFHW)

Steve G0KYA has a nice pdf document he's created describing how to make simple end fed half wave antennas (EFHQ). These band specific antennas can be very effective and simple when mounted either vertically or horizontally. They can be made with PVC covered wire, fishing poles or aluminium rod. See http://www.infotechcomms.net/downloads/Endfed_halfwave_dipoles.pdf.  Many years ago we experimented with these on VHF handhelds and achieved results some 6dB better than with a standard 1/4 wave whip, but on 2m they were on the long side! On HF they are capable of low angle radiation good for DX.