I didn't mention the issue of antenna tuners it but I was thinking of
including the Yaesu FC-30 tuner in the HF set but I wanted to get some
advice first. I was considering that tuner because it can be directly
controlled by the transceiver and even bolted right to it. If that's a
bad idea I have not bought one yet.

I take it you are not a fan of the diesel fuel and ammonium nitrate
fertilizer solution to stumps. {;)
Stumps....
I try to resist the urge to experiment in that direction. I continue
to look for a mentor that has gray hair, and a complete inventory of
eyes & limbs. I sure miss the days when every hardware store carried
Calcium Carbide.

Can you recommend any fuses or detonators?

tuners
I like built in tuners but I like having the tuner at the antenna even
better. In days past a big mismatch was just an inconvenience. Today
RF at the operating position means the only equipment that does work
is the radio.

I use only two HF antennas at this time. The 28 foot vertical with the
SGC-237 which works fine 10-160m with no Shack RF and A Cushcraft A3S
40-10 beam with the tuner in the TenTec Jupiter. Both meet my
expectations.

A vertical MAY NOT meet your mission profile for short range
communications. A low dipole (High enough not to present a safety
hazard) may be more useful.

As an earlier poster pointed out, it would be best to select a length
that is NOT a half wave on a desired operating frequency.

Once again, a clever technician can beat any tuner but I find it
difficult to be clever when it is dark, cold, wet and hungry.

John Ferrell W8CCW
"Life is easier if you learn to
plow around the stumps"