I've had good luck with a portable antenna system that I use QRP with
an FT817, on 80-10m. I use a High Sierra Sidekick short screwdriver
antenna (other "shorter" brands would also work ) with a modified
BuddiPole mast and tripod. WIth my 5 watts I can work many stations
that I can hear as long as there are no pileups - if so you need some
patience!

I modified this by making a bracket for the mast that holds 4 , 10-12
ft MFJ telescoping antennas horizonatally to form the counterpoise. I
use a 10 ft telescoping antenna on the screwdriver to make it more
efficient on HF. All of this fits in a medium suitcase and when folded
is only 24 inches long. To power the screwdriver motor I use a 9 volt,
yes 9 volt, standard battery with a manual up/down switch. I use
multiple Mix 31 ferrite beads on the coax and antenna motor wires at
the antenna. I prefer the screwdriver type antenna as it is remotely
tunable and most of them work well on 9-12 volts and don't require
heavy duty batteries - I like to switch bands a lot but don't like to
manually tune antennas "every 10 minutes". This setup puts the base of
the antenna 7 to 8 feet above the ground so you have a bit less ground
loss than if you put the ground counterpoise on the ground or a few
feet above the ground.

The angle of radiation on this is probably at the horizon so if you're
looking for short range HF then this would not be the configuration to
use.

I've thought about making the bracket commerically available if anyone
was interested, to augment my mobile antenna supplies
(www.repDesign.us). If interested let me know.

73,
Dick Post, N7EMW



On Jan 27, 11:23*pm, Tom Horne wrote:
I am a RACES / ARES member who is trying to actually prepare for
deployment with the ability to carry on effective communications from
anywhere. *I'm here in the antenna forum to get advice on a portable
antenna system. *I'm not here to join anyones particular theoretical
antenna behavior cult. *If you have real world experience with a
portable multi band antenna system that actually worked for you please
share that experience with me.

Ive seen a couple of folded dipole antennas advertised that appear to
have some sort of fifty ohm dummy load at the center of the fold. *Do
those things do more then provide a heat source for fleeing birds?

There are several compact vertical and horizontal antennas being sold
complete with stands or tripods are any of them worth their freight?

The so called spiderweb beams look interesting can anyone offer real
world experience on those?

I'm honestly looking for advice that is based on experience rather than
a particular theory of what should work. *I want to know what does work
from real world users.
--
Tom Horne, W3TDH K

"This alternating current stuff is just a fad. *It is much too dangerous
for general use." *Thomas Alva Edison