[Elecraft] Upcoming Vacation and my K2

[mperrin@ordata.com]

I have used the Force 12 Sigma 5 and the Cushcraft R-5 with great success.
Both have the advantage of no radials - the Sigma 5 because it is a
vertical dipole, and the R-5 because of its "radial counterpoise."  They
both work great near, meaning up to few hundred yards, of salt water.  If
you can put them a few feet away, work fantastic.

Neither has to be mounted very hight.  The Sigma 5 comes with a ground
mounted base and the manufacturer recommends not putting it higher.  I
just drive in a stake of some kind, drop the base tube over the stake, and
then use dacron line to 3 tent pegs out in a trianble, to keep it
vertical.

When I use the R-5, take a 4 foot piece of alum and drop it over a stake,
and use the dacron lines to tent stakes, to keep it vertical.

I use 50 feet of 8X mini coax, but also take a 25 foot piece of extra coax
and a barrel connecter just in case need longer run.  I bought a rigid
golf bag carrier, golf shops have them for $100 or less, to carry my
antenna, coax, dacron line, tent stakes and always some room to pack other
clothes and stuff in.  If go that route, just be sure to measure the
inside of the gold bag carrier to be sure is 4 feet inside - some are
smaller.  Mine is SKG brand.

Oh, and check the golf bag.  That is the way to get that stuff through the
inspections.

Enjoy the travel.  I have gone to Caribe for DX travel and contesting, and
made mini-trips for IOTA and Lighthouse trips - great fun.

73 from Oregon de Mark N7MQ

> Hi guys,
>
> The XYL and I are going to Key West for vacation in August and of course
>  I want to take my soon to be finished K2.  I am looking at alternatives
>  for a portable HF antenna to operate on the beach.  I also want to
> activate a light house as well.
>
> Any experience on an antenna to take with me?  I will be flying down to
> Miami so whatever I take must be able to fit on a plane (and of course
> pass through security).  I was looking at the St Louis Vertical as a
> possibility however, there is a gutter spike at the bottom of the dowel
> that may cause a problem getting on the plane.
>
> Other hams have told me to avoid the miracle whip antenna.
>
> Thanks!
>
> Jason Hissong
> N8XE
>
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