My first antenna project occurred during work in a Fairfax Virginia radio shop as the CB installer.
An owner of a hot air balloonist expressed interest in improving his signal from his balloon.  He desired something better than his CB HT.

The shop owner and I compared ideas and thus began the development of designs and prototypes.  A test hoist was constructed in the trees behind the shop.  Various wire antenna shapes went up and down.  Eventually my split radial monopole concept worked best.

The happy owner sewed the antenna onto the exterior of the balloon fabric.