Antennas, whether the building of them or what happens afterward, has always been one of my great interests and adventures in ham radio–and even many decades before with other sorts of antenna systems. One truth I have learned over the years is that certain things do not seem to be merely myth or anecdote–but almost certainties. If an antenna of any sort in put up in inclement circumstances–darkness, wind, cold, rain, or snow–and then sanctified with a bit of blood–then that critter will be a stellar performer!
In March of 2026, I set about what I thought would be a fun and easy task–put up a couple new dipoles! At the time I had nothing in the air except a shortwave long-wire, as my previous antennas had long fallen or been removed during my ten-year hiatus from amateur radio. I knew that I had everything needed aside from new paracord, and that was promptly ordered from Amazon. The real project became finding all of those bits and pieces necessary to make and hang them. That’s when everything fell down a large rabbit hole or three…
The process was something akin to hunting mushrooms. Nothing was exactly were I seem to have ‘mis-remembered‘ it. Things were under other things, or in a place where I never suspected them to be. A sweaty and dusty voyage of discovery led me to boxes, shelves, bins, drawers, and chaotic piles of stuff. I found things I had forgotten that I had, things I could not fathom how I came by, and stuff I had never finished. Then there were those things that are still missing in action. After collecting everything I could find related to antennas–I promised myself that this was simply not going to happen again–that I needed to get organized.
Version 1 consisted of three ‘milk crates’ to gather things together by type and function. It was an abject failure, as what I needed was always on the bottom of one, and smaller things either stuck out or fell through. On to plan B. I needed a big damned box or two to put it all in.
This iteration began with a large black storage container. I tried to put everything, including the wire spools into it. Not going to happen, and is is surprising how much over a thousand feet of wire weighs. After separating the wire from other goodies I thought that it was going to work. But you see, nothing in the big box was sorted–it was all in there kind of loose. The universe dictates that in those situations, what one wants is always at the bottom.
Version 3 has been the solution. Using greenhouse pots as compartments, it all fell into place It is working well for me, and has been out in the field for projects there. I hope that this little article provides others some ideas for how they can organize their antenna goods as well!
