[Elecraft] indoor portable antenna (mp1 or equivalent)

[Julian (G4ILO)]

Hi Gary.

I had an MP-1 some while ago, and had very little success with it,
especially indoors. It is a very high-Q antenna that is potentially very
efficient, but to achieve this it needs a very effective ground, which I
found impossible to achieve in a temporary situation. Without this, it is
almost impossible to tune and you can end up with an RF "hot" radio and an
SWR that changes whenever you move near it. It might work well mounted on a
car with a long feeder to reach your indoor temporary operating position,
but if you like that idea you could consider other mobile antennas as well.

My portable K2 kit uses a modified MFJ portable antenna, I think it's
number is 1742. It is modified by the addition of a ground attachment point
that allows it to be grounded to a nearby central heating radiator or
similar, which removes the need to have it at the end of 50 foot of feeder,
which is not very convenient for indoor operating. It's not a brilliant
antenna, but like all small portable antennas you have to be prepared to
accept compromises.

Another possibility is the Miracle Whip. Though originally designed for the
FT-817, the latest versions can handle 25w pep and 10w CW so they are fine
for use with the K2. They are not fussy about grounding and very easy to
tune and use. Again, this may not be the most efficient portable antenna
but many FT-817 owners have made DX contacts using them under good
conditions running 5w max. The K2 with its 10w output power and highly
effective speech processor will do much better than an FT-817 on SSB.

The most efficient indoor antenna I have personally used is an MFJ magnetic
loop, however it may not be portable enough for the kind of usage you have
in mind.

Many other K2 users will tell you that they simply ground the radio to
anything convenient, throw a piece of wire out the window and tune it using
the KAT2. This may not be convenient for you but if possible it is
undoubtedly the cheapest solution (assuming you already have the KAT2) and
has the potential to be a more effective antenna, if the wire is long
enough.

73,
--
Julian, G4ILO. (K2 #392)
Homepage: http://www.qsl.net/g4ilo

Gary Lee kb9zuv@arrl.net wrote:

Took a look at the mp1 on the superantennas sight.  Just wondering what, if
any, experiences the list may have had with this or a similar design.

I am looking for a portable indoor antenna, that can be put up or taken
down leaving absolutely no sign of its presence.

Would use a random wire or loop, but can't think of a way to keep it up.

The idea is for something I could pack with the k2 and take to friends,
relations, etc.

Thanks for any ideas.

Gary Lee
Ball State University
765-285-1310