[Elecraft] MP-1 Portable Antenna Evaluation

[Jack Scheinuk]

I ordered an MP-1 with the tripod, 80m coil, and mobile kit for use as
an emergency antenna during hurricane conditions which affect my area
(New Orleans).

I set up the antenna on the desk in my study, deployed (or I should say
drooped) the radials (they seem to be about 10' each) across furniture.

The coil settings shown in the instructions are approximate.  I easily
found the best (lowest SWR) settings using an MFJ antenna analyzer for
both the short (standard) and 2 foot (mobile kit) base rods.  The
settings on the 2 foot rod are about 1/8 to 1/4 inch less than those
with the standard base rod.

I tested the various coil settings on all bands with my K2.  In each
case the lowest setting found with the MFJ analyzer produced an SWR on
the K2 of 1.3 or less.  I could on each band then move the coil a small
amount to achieve 1.0 to 1.1.

The MP-1 appears to be a well manufactured product which in my opinion
will take abuse.

With lousy conditions on 7/3/02 I tested the antenna on the short base
and had a 40m qso with Toronto and yesterday with equally poor
conditions tested the antenna on the long base and had a 15m qso with an
Italian station near Milan  -  the antenna still on my desk with the
radials drooped over furniture.

I was able to test the antenna in the 7/3 qso against my GAP Titan
vertical (top at 61' aboue ground).  I observed a 1 s-unit received
signal improvement from the GAP.  The Toronto station also reported a 1
s-unit improvement from the GAP on my transmitted signal.

The MP-1 is in my opinion a well made outstanding performer in a "very"
small portable package.

73 - Jack - W5WSF