If you come to my classes, I have you create a "tigertail" counterpoise for your handheld radio.
It's a 40 cent improvement to your Baofeng that will extend both your talking and receiving ranges. (TX/RX)
What is important here is you get introduced to the math for creating antennas and practical experience building and tuning an antenna.
If you understand this, then you can create most wire antennas, for Line-of-Sight (LoS) VHF/UHF and for Beyond-Line-of-Sight (BLoS) HF that can reach around the world.
Radio 313 - Building Antennas - The Tiger Tail V5
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