RF Antenna The antenna is based on Peter Kerchoff's antenna design on his excellent PbP web pages. I used 4mm diameter aluminium rods for the parasitic elements and the reflector element, and a 4mm diameter brass rod for the driver element. The reason for using brass for the driver element, is that since this is the element that is soldered to the output lead, it would be easier to solder brass than alumnium. The basic antenna cost was approximately £5.00. Components 2 x 1 metre long, 4mm diameter aluminium rods. 1 x 1 metre long, 4mm diameter brass rod. 1 x 1 metre long carbon fibre tube. 1 x BNC socket. The following image shows Hugh Gemmell's version of the 433 MHz antenna.