As a relative beginner, I am pretty much only using HTs.

[n9kwk@mastodon.radio]

As a relative beginner, I am pretty much only using HTs. Should I be putting on one of those "rat tail" counterpoises? #AmateurRadio

[vk6flab@mastodon.radio]

@N9KWK when you're using a HT in your hand, YOU (made of 60% water) are the "rat tail", so I doubt that an extra one will do anything significant to your ability to either receive or transmit.

[n9kwk@mastodon.radio]

@vk6flab a lot of the time though I will be operating with the HT on a table, e.g. at a park or on my back porch, while I have my laptop out doing other things. What about in that case?

[vk6flab@mastodon.radio]

@N9KWK unless you're transmitting without touching the radio it's unlikely to make any significant difference. Some cases it will make the radio overload and effectively reduce what you can hear, especially if there are broadcast transmitters within at least 10 km from where you're operating, since often handhelds don't have adequate filtering, especially those models that operate across many frequencies.

That said, use any piece of wire clamped at the base of the antenna connector and test.

[kwest_tech@infosec.exchange]

@N9KWK My understanding: A good handheld+monopole system will be designed with the effect Onno mentioned (ground circuitry + your body being the "other half" of the antenna) in mind. However, it is difficult to evaluate whether a manufacturer has done this, your antenna might or might not match the tested antenna very well, etc. So, there might be some circumstances where a "rat tail" counterpoise could help, but there are also some where it could hurt - it is difficult to make a statement in the general case. Experimentation is encouraged do some tests with your specific radios+environment and see what you find. But also, don't fret too much about it - it's certainly not guaranteed to improve your signal.