[UK-CONTEST] Antenna for SSB field day

[Alex GM3ZBE]

Chris, et al
You reminded me of a question I've meant to ask for some time.  I.e. are 
you allowed to change aerials during the NFD contest?  Could I have more 
than one dipole and swop them as necessary during the contest.  Each 
antenna being a single element?  I'm talking about the restricted 
section of course.
Alex 'ZBE

Chris G3SJJ wrote:
>   Rob, welcome to contesting!
>
> I suggest you look at the last few years results and reports to get a feel for your strategy - bands and times etc.
>
> As far as I am aware paralleled dipoles are classed multi element. Why not try the following which Dave G3ZQH and myself will be using.
>
> Two 50ft masts with an 84ft doublet strung between the two. Orientate the masts in a line approx 20/200 deg. This is an Extended Double Zepp for 20m, 
> giving broadside lobes  for Eu and US with gain plus some useful high angle on that band. On 40m you also get good broadside lobes. The RF sprays 
> around a bit on 10m and 15m!
>
> When 20m dies out and you want to go to 80m, quickly drop the antenna, connect a 44ft extension to each end and haul the antenna back, then stretch 
> the extensions out by adding some rope to each end to get them as least sloping as possible. As soon as dawn arrives and 80m propagation closes, take 
> the ends off and just use the EDZ for the rest of the time.
>
> A sophisticated variant would be to add a vacuum relay at of the two joints and bring a switching cable back to the shack. If you have a band decoder 
> eg Topten or Elecraft KRC2 you can make it auto switch when you change bands.
>