The VP2E Antenna: What It Is, How It Works, and How It Compares
The VP2E is an interesting design: a full-wave inverted-V that sits low, uses an off-centre feedpoint, creates a directional low-angle lobe, and does all of this without needing a ground radial system. It occupies a niche between a simple quarter-wave vertical and a full two-element vertical array such as the half-square.
In this article, we revisit the VP2E from a modern modelling perspective, clarify its strengths and limitations, and compare it directly to two well-known reference antennas: the 1/4-wave vertical and the half-square.
How the VP2E Is Built
The classic VP2E is essentially:
- A 1-wavelength wire at the target frequency.
- Configured as an inverted-V (or shallow “A-frame” shape).
- Fed off-centre — not in the middle, not at an end.
- Installed with the centre moderately low (≈ 0.15–0.20 λ) and the ends very low to ground (≈ 0.03–0.05 λ).
The low height is intentional: it pushes the current maxima into positions that favour low take-off angles while also providing mild broadside-style directionality.
No radial field is required. Unlike verticals that depend heavily on their ground system, the VP2E operates more like a balanced inverted-V that happens to develop a strong vertically-polarised, low-angle lobe.
A good choke or feedline isolator remains essential, or the coax will become part of the radiator and ruin the pattern.
What Modelling and Measurements Suggest
Several independent models converge on a similar picture:
- Take-off angle: ~18–25° when built at typical VP2E heights.
- Forward gain: roughly similar to a good 1/4-wave vertical (~0–3 dBi typical).
- Directivity: mild but real — stronger broadside, weaker off the sides.
- Ground sensitivity: much less affected by poor soil compared to a vertical.
In other words: behaves like a low-angle directional vertical but without the radial dependency.
Comparison Table
| Antenna Type | Typical Setup | Take-off Angle | Forward/Broadside Gain | Radials Required? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/4-Wave Vertical | Vertical radiator + ground radial field | 20–30° depending on radials & soil | 0–2 dBi typical | Yes, ideally many | Performance strongly soil-dependent |
| VP2E (full-wave inverted-V) | 1 λ inverted-V, off-centre feed, low height | 18–25° | 0–3 dBi typical | No (minimal) | Low-angle directional; single support |
| Half-Square | Two 1/4-wave vertical legs + 1/2-wave top wire | 15–20° (often lower than VP2E) | 3–6 dBi broadside | No | True 2-el vertical array; needs two supports |
When the VP2E Makes Sense
- You have only one mast and limited space.
- You want low-angle DX without building a radial field.
- You want mild directionality without large arrays.
- Your installation height is limited but you still want to beat a low dipole.
When a Different Antenna Might Be Better
- A good half-square will beat it in gain if you have two tall supports.
- A quarter-wave vertical may outperform it if you can install a proper radial field.
- If you need steerable lobes, deep nulls, or switching: phased vertical arrays are superior.
Installation Tips
- Keep the centre around 0.15–0.20 λ for ideal TOA.
- Keep the ends low to the ground — that’s part of what keeps the main lobe down.
- Use a good 1:1 choke to prevent common-mode pattern distortion.
- Trim wire length carefully: the full-wave resonance is narrow.
Summary
The VP2E sits exactly where many operators hoped it would:
- More gain and better low-angle performance than a low horizontal dipole.
- Simpler installation than a vertical with a radial field.
- Nowhere near as strong broadside as a half-square, but simpler and lighter.
It’s a clever “in-between” antenna: directional, low-angle, no radials — and achievable with a single support.
Mini-FAQ
- Does the VP2E outperform a half-square? — No, a half-square usually has several dB more gain.
- Do I need radials? — No, but a proper choke is essential.
- Is it multiband? — Not by default; it’s essentially monoband unless modified.
- Is the lobing sharp? — Mildly directional; not a deep-null array like a half-square.
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