[NCC] [MRRC] Portable Antenna Ideas Needed

[Jeff Clarke]

Hal,

K4BAI have done this for our IOTA contest trips to the GA or FL islands we have gone to - cut a dipole for 20 meters and feed with open wire line. To use it on 40 meters short the feeders and it will be a top loaded vertical. You will need an antenna tuner to put where the open wire meets the ground. Run some RG8X from it to run to the shack. I also made a simple switch box to switch between the open wire that will go to the shack and the antenna tuner for the 40 meter antenna where the open wire is shorted before it goes to the antenna tuner.

I would think your 17 foot fiberglass mast would be plenty high to do this.

Jeff

On Apr 30, 2014 10:01 AM, Hal Offutt <hal at japancorporateresearch.com> wrote:
>
> Hi Everyone, 
>
> I am looking for ideas for a 5- or 6-band portable vertical antenna that will fit into a normal large suitcase. 
>
> I have made plans to operate the WPX CW from SV9.  I have rented an ocean-front house on the north shore of the island approximately 150 feet from the water.  The owner says I can put up an antenna and that he will even help me install it.  I won't know exactly how close to the water I can get the antenna until I arrive, but probably pretty close since it appears to be a rather remote, rocky beach without too many visitors.  
>
> For the antenna, I need something that will fit into a large suitcase.  This means that no individual piece can be longer than about 30".  At minimum I need 5 bands and really would like to find a way to get on 160.  160 can be a really productive band in EU, and of course QSOs there are worth double points compared with the high bands. 
>
> I am considering these three options: 
>
> 1.  Hustler 5BTV.  I wouldn't have thought that this would be such a good choice but WB8JUI uses one and he produces a lot of good scores.  There are only two pieces that are longer than 30":  a 56" piece and a 72" piece.  I would have to cut the first one into two sections and the second one into three sections, and then figure a way to connect them back together on site.  However, this leaves me with nothing on 160 and probably a pretty mediocre 80 meter antenna. 
>
> 2.  Hy-Gain 18AVQII.  Similar to the above except the longest pieces are 52" and 48", so I would not have to cut anything into three sections.  The "spokes" are 36" long but I could cut them down and make flexible wire extensions.  Doesn't look like it would be very good on 80, however and no 160.  Anyone have experience with this one? 
>
> 3.  Construct a 33' vertical from 30" pieces of telescoping aluminum tubing (DXEngineering offers a nice selection) and tune it with the LDG RT-100 remote tuner (which I would have to purchase).  The advantage of this antenna is that I could probably attach a light weight wire to the top or wire guys acting as a capacity hat and possibly load the thing on 160.  Or maybe increase the height with a very thin telescoping antenna at the top.  However, I don't have much confidence that the RT-100 will really work as advertised and the other remote tuners are pretty expensive.  Anyone using the RT-100? 
>
> I have a separate 17' telescoping antenna that collapses down to 28 inches, and this would suffice for the high bands (although I would have to adjust the length when changing bands).  If I could find a separate antenna for the low bands, I could use two antennas.  However this would make QSYing between 20 and 40 a pain as I will not have enough coax for two antennas located quite a distance from the house. 
>
> A question:  Does being next to salt water reduce or eliminate the need for radials? 
>   
> In case you are wondering why I don't use some sort of long thin case or box that would accommodate 5- or 6-foot long antenna parts, I have a couple of reasons.  First, I need the space that regular suitcases will give me.  I will take two such suitcases for my month-long trip and I need all of that space for everything else that I have to take: wire, coax, radials, tools, power supply, clothing, etc.  Second, I don't want to have to mess with a third piece of luggage on top of carry-ons.  Third, an odd-looking piece of luggage may attract unwanted attention from customs officials, etc. and could result in extra fees from the airlines.  Finally, it would be cumbersome to handle and might not fit into a small EU rental car.  I have to haul all of this junk through a 5-6 country trip.    
>
> Suggestions/comments from the NCC/MRRC knowledge pool are very welcome.  Remember, this antenna only needs to last for 3-4 days.          
>
> Thanks in advance! 
>
> 73, Hal W1NN 
>
>
>     
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