I am interested in having a rapid set up multi-band vertical for Field
Day and EMCOMM. If I use the Hy-Gain sixty four foot (64') push up
mast as the radiator and an ICOM AH-4 as the automatic antenna tuner
is this likely to be an effective approach to having a rapid set up
multi band vertical? Will I need radials? Should they be elevated or
can they lie on the ground? Since the total length of the radiator is
less than a 1/4 wave on eighty meters at say 3.6 MHz will that make
the antenna ineffective on eighty meters?

Second question would four of those sixty four foot masts make an
effective forty meter four square. Yes I realize that it would cost
eight hundred dollars for the masts alone before the cost of
controller, remote, phasing coax, and control cable. Once again would
radials be required for forty meters.

I've only been back in radio for a few years after very long gap so
I'm starting over and finding the learning curve a little steeper than
I remember.
--
Tom Horne, W3TDH