[Elecraft] Antenna for Travels?

[Mike]

> should I take the MP-1 or an "Isotron" antenna? Their website=20
> is http://www.isotronantennas.com and I never tried either of=20
> them (QRL). ** The plan is to get on the air in the Kalasin=20
> region of Thailand.=20
> Thank you!=20
> 72, Chris KF6VCI / HS0ZFE

Kinda shooting in the dark here since you haven't stated your travel =
constraints (space/weight/$$$/etc., how often you plan to move, what =
bands, etc. ) but here goes anyway...

Can't comment on the MP-1 other than state my own philosophy to avoid =
any 'high end HF whip' type antennas inasmuch as (for my wants/needs) =
they are simply too inefficient for the $$$ spent. Plus you gotta mess =
with all those radials, etc. ;P As others have suggested you might do =
better by just 'slinging some wire' as you would likely get better =
results while saving 100's of dollars.

I can comment on the Isotron tho. I picked up a 20mtr version when I =
moved into my condo and while it 'technically worked' it was VERY fussy =
to set up properly and even then the overall performance was dysmal. =
Don't even bother.

For 'bang for the buck' I've had surprisingly good results with a =
homemade buddipole that can be built for about $20. Add another $20 for =
a 16' painter extension pole and you have a really decent, lightweight =
portable antenna ( www.qsl.net/w3ff/ ). There is a a commercial version =
( www.buddipole.com) but it's pricey. One caveat, an antenna analyzer =
really comes in handy with a Buddipole.

For the kind of money you would spend on the Buddipole you might want to =
check out the 20-10 mtr Force 12 Sigma5, a 9' tall, no trap center-fed =
vert dipole . While maybe not a portable in the truest sense of the word =
it's been used on DXpeditions with great success... it weighs 7lbs, =
breaks down into 2' sections and is easy/quick to assemble. It does =
require an 'extra' 12v (50ma) to switch bands tho. I have the Sigma SG5 =
(the heavy duty 4' section version) and I very happy with it. Can't =
confirm their claim of >90+% efficiency but I am constantly amazed at =
its size vs performance. You can find info on the Sigma series at =
http://force12inc.com/sigmainfo-003.htm=20

For a comparison of various 'pedestrian' portable antennas check up the =
HFPack antenna shootout results at www.hfpack.com .=20

Have a safe trip and let us know your operating schedule!
Mike, K5PU

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