My favorite plan for a portable field antenna is...
Push up sections of fiberglass mast. At the top, you
have a feed point for two opposing dipoles - each
element of which is set 90 degrees from the next,
adjacent elements, respectively. Measure these
for the two bands you want to work most... and add
sufficient rope to the end so the construct is both
antenna and guy line. Stake the lines with camping
tent stakes.
Pound a short piece of water pipe (which is just
larger in inside diameter than the mast) into the
ground as a base that keeps the bottom of the
mast from moving about. It does not have to be
deep, just deep enough to keep the mast from
squiggling about - you can pull it up easily when
you move on. Another solution when using
hollow masts, is to pound a short rod or pipe
which has an outside diameter less then the
inside diameter of the mast tubing, and that
will keep it from sliding about. A little electrical
or duct tape will serve to minimize abrasion.
The four elements of the dipoles serve as radiators
and guy lines, and if it is not really windy, this
is sufficient to hold the whole thing together.
Otherwise a second set of guy lines can be used,
maybe just 3 more, if you mast is rally tall and
it gets a bit windy out.
A telescoping mast with its own quick release
fasteners often folds down to a single 36-48 inch
item for traveling. Roll up the wire elements
separately, pick up your base rod or pipe, and
move out when HQ gives the order to bug out.
I have friends using this design for monthly QRP field days during the
summer months. This will be a full sized dipole, and way more efficient
than a BuddyPole, also probably twice as high in the air.
======================= K8JHR ==========================
On 3/27/2012 3:02 PM, John wrote:
> What are good choices for portable antennas? I guess I would start with
> a buddy-pole or similar antenna and go from there.
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