wrote in message
ups.com...
Hi All,

Here's a challenge !

Having recently acquired a Yaesu FT-879 HF transceiver I'd like to use
it for portable operation from my camper van. Ideally to take
advantage of the improving HF conditions during my lunch hour at work.

So I originally thought about buying a Yaesu ATAS-120A, but then I
realised that I wasn't that interested in mobile operation. So I could
consider something a bit more efficient.

Suggestions for alternatives or best length of wire and transformer
ratio would be greatly appreciated.

UKM


See the Outbacker antennas http://www.outbackerantennas.com/products.html .
Some appear to meet your requirments.

One of our club's hams used one at Field Day last year and this. (Outbacker
8, I think) He did as well as the guys who had much bigger antennas. He
merely clamped it to a chain-link fence at head-level and he was on the air.
The mass of your camper van might be OK if you can't park adjacent to a
suitable fence or other structure.

Downsides: Not cheap; band changes require your attendance at the antenna
unless you switch among many of them. (You are quite wealthy, right? :-)

There are also vehicle-mount products known as "screwdriver antennas" but I
am not prepared to address them.

73,
"Sal"
(really KD6VKW)