Building a basic 162.5 MHz ground plane antenna to improve NOAA Weather Radio reception

Materials Needed:
1 - 6" x 6" piece of aluminum
1 - 18 3/16" length of number 12 wire
4 - 18 3/16" lengths of 3/16" diameter aluminum rods
1 - SO-239 coaxial connector 
8 - Number 4 machine screws, star washers, and nuts

Step 1 -
Drill a 5/8 inch diameter hole in the center of the 6" X 6" square of aluminum to mount the SO-239 connector.

Step 2 -
Fasten each of the 18 3/16" aluminum rods to the 6" X 6" aluminum square. The rods should be mounted parallel to the each edge and extend approximately 15 inches beyond the edge of the aluminum square. Fasten the rods using Number 4 machine screws, star washers, and nuts

Step 3 -
Once all four 3/16" diameter aluminum rods are fastened to the aluminum square, the 4 rods will be bent down at a 45 degree angle. The downward bent leg should be approximately 14 3/16 inch in length. 

Step 4 -
Fasten the SO-239 coaxial connector into the hole drilled in step 1 and solder the 18 3/16" length of number 12 wire to the top of the coax connector.