[Antennas] Portable Antennas and Hotel Operation

Wed, 16 Oct 2002 12:24:31 -0700

Kevin
I haven't operated from a hotel room like you describe in many years.  The
few times I did, I  used the B&W AP-10 and found it would get out if I was
'high up' in a hotel.  The counterpoise was a little tricky for me but once
I got it adjusted, all seemed to work FB.  I continued to be very interested
in the type of antennas you describe. So, for what its worth, here is my 2
cents.

One alternative to check out is the  MinuteMan(tm) antenna by Quicksilver
Radio.  They claim "It fits in any standard briefcase, backpack or airplane
carry-on.  We designed it to be  rugged, lightweight (about 5 lbs.)  and
field serviceable.  It's perfect any time you need a quick set-up antenna."
It was reviewed as part of an article in the October 2002 issue of CQ
magazine (p63)

 http://www.qsradio.com/mm20.htm

Another alternative to consider is the "Buddipole" - A Portable Dipole
Antenna Design that can be "hombrewed" or purchased commercially.  It was
featured in part of an article in the October 2002 issue of CQ magazine
(p79).

  http://www.qsl.net/w3ff/

There is a lively reflector on Yahoo comprised of Buddipole users that you
may want to investigate.  Its URL is:

 http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Buddipole/?yguid=125015969

If you want to 'homebrew' something of your own, I suggest contacting Bob,
AF2Q, at [email protected].  He likes to interact with anyone doing that
and seems to have built quite a few himself.

I also suggest you consider MFJ.  They have one or two models you might be
interested in.

73 de Jim WA6PX
[email protected]

-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]]On Behalf Of Kevin Nathan
Sent: Tuesday, October 15, 2002 11:56 AM
To: antennas
Subject: [Antennas] Portable Antennas and Hotel Operation

Hello all,

I am looking for some advice here.  I recently bought an Icom IC-706 at a
local ham fest and took it, a Samlex power supply and some antenna makings
with me on a trip to Hawaii from which I have just returned.  I am very
pleased with the rig and power supply but not with what I had for antennas.

I have a home brew 20 meter vertical I built a couple of years ago which
seemed to hear the best of anything I tried but doesn't transmit very well
at all.  I put up a 20 meter dipole from my balcony to a couple of palm
trees and did manage to work one VK station on it before the hotel told me
to take it down.  I heard quite a bit of activity on 15 and 10 meters but
being totally blind, I couldn't figure out a way to use the little portable
tuner I borrowed from a local friend to tune out the swr on these bands.  I
have reached some conclusions from this experience on which I need some
advice.

First, I want to include an auto tuner such as the LDG AT-11 as part of my
portable station so I don't have to worry about reading swr meters and so
on.  Next, I want some kind of antenna I can clamp to a balcony railing,
window frame, table or window sill in any kind of hotel room so I can't be
ordered to remove antennas from outside supports.  Besides, if I'm on an
upper floor of a high rise hotel, I doubt I want to be hanging out somewhere
tying off antennas since I'm very afraid of heights.  <GRIN>  My question is
what would you on the list who have done such things recommend for this
antenna?  I have been reading reviews of antennas such as the B&W AP-10A,
the MP-1, etc.  Which of these might you suggest or do you have other
recommendations for me?  I want to keep it simple and very portable since I
would like to put the antenna in a suitcase and avoid awkward questions at
security check points and such.

Thanks much for your advice and I look forward to reading what you all have
to say.  73

Kevin, K7RX :)

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