[Elecraft] Questions re: MP-1 antenna

[bejones@hursley.ibm.com]

All excluding 80m coil which I don't have and approx

> 1. How much does it weigh?
15 oz - Antenna + radials but no supports or cables
+14oz for clamp support and clamp
or +8oz for tripod

> 2. What size is the bundle of parts for the antenna when disassembled?
Longest bit - coil 10.5" 1.25" diameter, Will bundle to about 12" x 
3"  in all - no coax

> 3. How tall is the antenna when assembled?
Fully extended (40m band use) about 6'

> 4. There seems to be an optional whip for the antenna. What does that do to 
> the height of the antenna when assembled? How does it affect performance?
Whip is part of the antenna

> 5. How long are the ground radials and how many are supplied? Are the 
> radials stiff or flexible pieces of wire (ie. can they be routed around 
> obstacles)?
4 x 10' flexible - opposite is the problem - trying to fix them as 
straight as possible - usually need weighting at the ends to stop 
blowing around

> 6. How big is the optional tripod for the antenna? How does it affect 
> overall height and weight? How stable is the antenna when sitting on the 
> tripod? Will the antenna need to be anchored when used outdoors even in a 
> gentle breeze?
14" diameter, 5.5" high. Would be unstable in wind 

>I am interested in using the antenna for 80 (with the add-on 80m 
coil) 
> through 10 meters inclusive. I used to run 100W from my commercial rig in 
> to a 26-foot tall Butternut vertical and did very well with that 
> combination. I wonder what it will be like operating from inside a house. 
> What sort of interference I am likely to cause even at low power levels not 
> to mention the amount of interference I am likely to receive (the TV and 
> the lights in the basement are big noise makers).

Dunno about 80m - I don't think it is rated at 100W. I used it on the 
weekend, no TVI or problem noticed inside my sister's house but 
she may not have had TV, radios on! Operates OK - to gain an 
extra 1-2 S-points I took it just outside the window clamped to a 
garden chair. Worked Quebec from central England on 10m - OK 
so he only gave me a 1 by 1 report but it made the trip across the 
pond. Worked a few europeans stations and previous weekend 
when demoing to Boy Scouts inside scout hall worked Algeria (all 
10W SSB). Not to noisy and my sister is on a housing estate. No 
neighbours banged doors!  

Fits nicely with K2 inside 15.5"x11.5"x5.5" padded aluminium 
engineers case (about 17 bucks from local hardware store in the 
UK). 

Thanks BTW - you made me open the case and drag it out to 
measure - it was still a little wet from the weekend so had chance 
to dry it.

Brian G0UKB
K2 #1115
Brian E Jones
Pervasive Computing Specialist
IBM HURSLEY