[Elecraft] A product that would revolutionize ham radio

[Vic Rosenthal]

I am presenting the idea below in the hope that some manufacturer will 
embrace it. No royalties will be demanded! :-)

One of the biggest problems facing today's hams contemplating HF 
operation is the prohibition of antennas by HOA's, etc. One way of 
dealing with this is a with temporary antenna that can be set up only 
when operating. But there are lots of compromises -- in efficiency, 
flexibility, wasted time -- that this entails.

Many hams also would like to operate from temporary locations -- 
mountaintops, building roofs, beaches, campsites, cruise ships, 
rowboats, etc. There are many approaches to this, but they generally 
require setup of several station components which may or may not be 
practical, and which takes time that might not be available.

I propose a device that I call a Universal Amateur Station (UAS) that 
will make it possible to operate an /effective/ station in the greatest 
possible number of environments with an absolute minimum amount of setup.

Picture a folding tripod with a vertical whip on top and a box at the 
point where the legs meet the vertical part. The tripod will comprise an 
off-center fed vertical antenna, with the legs working against the 
vertical part.  The box will contain a transceiver capable of QRP to 100 
watts output, internal batteries for 5-watt operation, an automatic 
antenna matching device, and a wireless link controller.

I am thinking of a package the size of an airline-approved carry-on. It 
should be practical with some ingenuity to make such a thing with an 
antenna that can extend to about 17 feet (5m), but it should also be 
possible to use in smaller configurations if space isn't available. It 
should be easier to set up than the usual tent.

There will also be a control head which will contain a built-in paddle 
and microphone.

The HOA-oppressed ham can simply unfold the unit in his backyard, on an 
accessible roof, etc. and sit in any comfortable location within range 
and operate.

In a hotel? Unfold it on your balcony. Driving around and see a nice 
spot? Place it on the roof of the vehicle and connect it to the battery 
for a full 100 watts. Camping? Set it up outside your tent or on a 
nearby hill. A small notebook computer would be the only accessory 
needed for an instant FD station or DXpedition. Of course you would not 
need it for casual operation. The possible uses in an emergency can 
easily be imagined.

If you have seen the mechanical ingenuity demonstrated by the makers of 
camping and hiking gear, you can see that it is possible to make 
something like this remarkably small and light.

Why is this better than, for example, a KX3 and Buddipole? For one 
thing, there is no feedline or fiddling with the antenna necessary. The 
integrated transmitter/tuner/antenna is more efficient. The lack of a 
feedline makes it possible to place it on the roof of a building that 
you don't own and operate from inside.

-- 
Vic