[MRCA] Manpack HF ntenna Ideas?

[mstangelo at comcast.net]

Jeep,

I have a FT-897D with an LDG Z-11pro tuner. I use a wire a little longer than a quarter wavelength, about 52 feet, and regularly check it to the Moose and Squirrel net with it. I use 4 10 foot wires connected to the tuner ground as a counterpoise. I have a 20 foot telescoping fishing pole and use it to support the wire. I place the pole against the branches on a tree. Lot's of parks do not allow wires in trees but don't mention any rules about leaning stuff against trees :-)

The four wire counterpoise system came with my MP-1 Superantenna but I find the tuning very touchy.  

I also use a Hustler 60 meter resonator on the 6 foot whip but this quite heavy for backpack operation. I also use the 4-wire foot counterpoises with this setup. I don't hike while operating and try to spread out the counterpoise wires.

I picked up a Xeigu G90 with the internal tuner and will use this lighter setup when propagation improves.

Mike N2MS



> > <jeepp at comcast.net> wrote:
> > I have a tactical tricked-out Yaesu FT-897D with an LDG AT-897 tuner. Even have the requisite H-250. I have used it a time or two for Moose and Squirrel with an inverted V in the back-yard. Is there a practical design for a whip that would work on the lower band 80/40/5MHz? I have some rods from a 292 antenna and a folding antenna from a PRC-8,9, or 10. Running the '897D from a 12v battery the power level is about 40 watts at best (vice a solid 100 watts with 13.5V). Maybe I'm barking up the wrong tree? A decent counterpoise is always the bugaboo. TNX
> > Jeep K3HVG