[CQ-Contest] New Contester needs advice

[Jerry Flanders]

I wanted an antenna on my camper trailer. I got a 10/15/20/30/40 vertical 
(about 24 feet, I think) and a motorized lift so I can let it down for 
travel. It seems to get out OK, but I haven't worked a contest with it yet. 
It should do MUCH better than the Hamstick mobile antenna I once used while 
on the road in a RTTY contest to work over 300 QSOs with 100 watts on 20 
meters.

In your situation, I would keep it simple. Beams are not usually simple. If 
your rig has an antenna tuner you could probably use one of the G5RV 
dipoles if you want to put up two antenna supports.

Even a simple antenna will let you work guys. My Hamstick (a 7 ft long 
loaded mobile fiberglas/wire whip) did. It was only 7 feet high, tilted at 
45 degrees. Crummy, but worked.

Jerry W4UK

At 04:03 6/24/2005, you wrote:
>I am new to HF contesting after some limited experience in VHF contesting.
>As of now I do not have any HF antennas put up so was going to ask a simple
>question.
>
>What would be the best antenna for me as a new contester? I am only a Tech+
>but hope to get General later in July 2005 and my Extra before Dec. 31,2005
>(New Years resolution), my first HF rig is going to be a ICOM 718 because of
>limited funding at this time. My mobile home community restricts me from
>using any trees on other spaces and there is no trees on my space, however I
>can attach any thing I want to to my trailer as long as I don't go much over
>30' high.
>
>I was thinking of a 40 meter dipole as high as I can get it and use a tuner
>for 10 - 40 operations. Was also looking into some homebrew beam antennas
>(builder supply specials) for 10,15 and maybe even 20 meters.
>
>I am heading in the right direction or lost in space?
>
>Jacob Tennant - K8JWT