[Elecraft] portable antenna

Tue May 27 09:13:00 2003

>From: "John Cooper" <[email protected]>
>To: <[email protected]>
>Date: Mon, 26 May 2003 15:29:55 -0500
>Subject: [Elecraft] portable antenna

> im for sure getting a mp1 antenna from elecraft and either=20
> a buddipole or super antenna yagi like wayne and eric=20
> used for field day.  any suggestions on which would be=20
> better?  or of any other portable collapsible antennas? =20

Might want to consider building the DIY buddipole:

http://www.qsl.net/w3ff/

VERY easy to construct (about 1-2 hours), relatively lightweight, breaks =
down into a handful of 2' sections and is darn cheap to build (about =
15-20 bucks for the materials). I use mine with a extendable 'painters =
pole' that gets it up to about 18'-20'. Works like a champ too! Wouldn't =
be without it on trips.

Note that while not *required*, Budd recommends using an antenna =
analyzer for ease of setup/tuning for either the homebrew or commercial =
BP.  I agree and use an Autek RF-1 and can have the antenna assembled & =
operating on the band of choice in 20 minutes or so.

Although a bit pricy the (20, 17, 15, 12, 10 mtr) Force12 Sigma5 is a =
fine antenna with better efficiency/performance than any of the others =
you've mentioned. I have a Sigma GT5 (the heavy duty version) and after =
a rocky start now think it's FB.  The 'regular' Sigma5 is probably =
better for portable ops (it breaks down into 2' sections and goes =
together with wingnuts). Note both the Sigma5 & GT5 require 12 volts to =
switch bands (20 mtrs is 'default', requiring no power). But it's very =
convenient... no swapping coils, retuning whips, etc..  Just flip a =
switch to the band you want to operate on and voila!, you're there!

Mike K5PU 

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