[Mobile-Portable] Camping

[Hal Offutt]

Message text written by Dean Norris
> =

I have an Icom706MKii I use mobile and while camping.  I can use the =

Hustler antenna from the truck which pulls my 22' 5th wheel but I would =

prefer to use an antenna that is easy to put up and has more potential ga=
in

than the Hustler.

My question is, what would be a good wire antenna to use with the 706 and=
 =

an MFJ 300 watt tuner? I can feed a long wire, balanced line or coax. It =

shud be easy to put up and take down also.

Not asking for much, I know but do any of you assembled masses have =

suggestions?


Thanks kindly

Unkadean<


Dean,

The G5RV-type antenna is perfect for this.  This is basically a dipole =

fed with ladder line, but the wire can be any convenient length - say 60,=
 =

80, 100 or 120 feet.  Both sides should be the same length.  Your tuner =

will tune it on all bands (might not be tunable on 160 if it's too short)=

and
 a ground is not needed (but still a good idea).  =


For installation, you need a slingshot (wrist rocket, available at sporti=
ng
goods stores), a fishing reel filled with medium sized fishing line, and =

some 1 oz fishing weights.  You also need two 150' lengths of lightweight=
 =

rope or twine.  You tie the weight to the fishing line, shoot the weight
over =

a convenient tree branch with the wrist rocket, go find the fishing line =
on

the other side of the tree (sometimes a chore), tie the twine to it and
then
reel it in.  Now the  twine goes from the ground up into the tree and bac=
k =

down to the ground on the other side of the tree. You then attach one end=
 =

of the antenna to the twine and pull it up to the desired position and ti=
e
off =

the twine.  That takes care of one end of the antenna.  You repeat the =

process for the other end of the antenna.  =


With a little practice, you can install the whole thing in less than 15
minutes.

The ladder line is very light and will not pull the antenna down very muc=
h
in the middle like coax would.  The lack of weight means that relatively =

small branches will support the antenna nicely, especially for a short =

camping stay.  You can use #18 or even thinner insulated wire, or whateve=
r
you have around.

Happy camping, camper.

73,

Hal W1NN.   =