Handheld and QRP Antennas

About Handheld and QRP Antennas at Moonraker

Moonraker offers a wide range of handheld antennas, providing radio hams with a wide selection to choose from.

The addition of a better quality antenna for your handheld radio will allow you to pick up weaker signals and diminish noise, leading to clearer communications; the reach is more extended and sensitive. An external handheld antenna can also be directional, allowing operators to focus the signal.

QRP means operating a radio at lower power so outputs 5 watts or less for morse/data modes or 10 watts for voice. At lower power you’ll need a very efficient antenna. Don't make the mistake of thinking low power means a limited antenna.

It’s possible to lose half the radio’s power with a poor antenna system, and if you’re choosing to power down, this will uncover any shortcomings in your unit and operator skill set.

Select a QRP antenna that sends as much RF as possible; increase to full power, and you’ll also have an advantage.

Communicating via QRP provides more mobile options when energy resources are restricted and equal better operating in locations with no energy limitations. It also creates less interference for other radio users.

Browse the Moonraker collection of handheld and QRP antennas, a great addition to any amateur radio collection. These options reinvent the level of communication performance for hobbyists and radio hams.

What are Handheld and QRP Antennas?

A handheld antenna is a bit of a misnomer as it’s a piece of kit designed for a handheld radio. These portable radio antennas offer improved signal strength and increased range compared to the factory included equivalent.

QRP originates from the Q Code, a standard of three-letter codes starting with the letter ‘Q.’ 

The British government created the Q Codes at the beginning of the last century, developed for commercial radiotelegraph and used by British ships and coast stations. Amateur radio hams adopted it.

QRP operation covers transmitting at reduced power while attempting to message over the maximum possible range. This three-digit code originally meant ‘Should I reduce power?’ but is now an accepted standard for operating at low power.