I used to have a G5RV multiband horizontal, but now use a homemade small transmitting loop made from copper plumbing pipe, with a high voltage capacitor made from aluminum flashing from home depot, some pressboard I found in a dumpster, and a plastic chewing tobacco tin for a dial. Hangs from a hook in the ceiling and works like a charm. Homebrewing and fun is what ham radio is all about.
You bet. Amateur radio people are one of the few groups keeping American ingenuity alive. Not everyone buys expensive radios, antennas, amplifiers etc...Some still design, make them and experiment.