[Elecraft] Regarding field antennas

[Wayne Burdick]

Whip antennas like the MFJ1820T are great for quick deployment, and you *can* make QSOs on them, especially when a band is open and on the higher bands. However, you'll find that a long (25'+) wire, supported by a tree or pole, will nearly always work better. 

In either case you also must have a counterpoise wire, laid on the ground or supported by another tree or pole in roughly the opposite direction. Lacking a counterpoise, your transmit losses will be some 15 to 20 dB higher.

73,
Wayne
N6KR