Outbacker vs. buddipole etc.

[Erik Linder]

Hi all,

A bit off topic, apologize for that.

I want to have the best performance per cost antenna for my K1 and K2.

* The antenna must be portable, but I don't need it to be a mobile
antenna. (I dont't drive and work QSO's at the same time)
* It must cover 80 - 10 m, but it's not necessary to cover all band att
the same time.
* I live in an area with very small gardens, so it would be nice if the
antenna also work as a home antenna.

I have looked at oubacker, buddipole, hustler and texas bugcatcher.
Do you have any other suggestions?
Which gets me the best performance for money?

Best 73 de SM0RVV ./Erik
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[Stuart Rohre]

Erik,
Each of the listed antennas has a good design and application.  The Bug
Catcher is more a mobile antenna, and needs radials to work portable.
It will need a mobile base adapted to a portable stand.

The Outbacker is a mobile antenna that now comes with radial kit and
stand,but is short for the bands, and limited bandwidth.  You will need a
tuner.  Same as above about mounting, although Alpha Delta sells one which
is pricy.

The Outbacker is a short helical monopole, and thus incomplete without
radials, as was Bug Catcher a short coil loaded monopole.

The Hustler is mainly a mobile antenna also, and same applies.
Of the ones you list, the most sturdy for portable ops and designed for that
task is the Buddipole.  It is a coil loaded dipole, so does not need
separate radials set up.  It comes with sturdy parts, I studied them at Ham
Com in June, and visited extensively with the company designer/ owner.
I am not easily impressed but I was.   The Buddipole is being deployed with
Embassy and other groups from Uncle.

The Buddipole has two versions, one breaks down into attache case sized
pieces.  You can get a sturdy plastic hard case or a nice bag of nylon to
carry it.  It has a stand you can set it up either as horizontal dipole or
vertical dipole or sloping.  Very flexible rig.  The parts are rugged and
top quality all the way.

There is another antenna for 3 bands that does not require a tuner.  You tap
up on common loading air dux type coil.  It is all made of PVC pipe
sections, and a 6 foot telescoping whip.  However, over all, it is not as
rugged as Buddipole, and needs a couple of mods to work better.  One is to
add a six inch PVC pipe to the top pipe section.  This is to add one more
velcro tie around the whip to keep it vertical in wind.

The other mod is to add hairpin clips available at Home Depot to the base H
support pipes Center Tee piece, to avoid it rotating in wind conditions and
laying over the antenna in mid QSO.  You have to drill the pipes to attach
these clips to lock the Tee and pipes from rotation.

 You have to provide coax with UHF plug for the Minuteman connector.  The
assembly is quick and simple after you do it a couple of times.  The antenna
comes in a cardboard box about two plus feet long, but no bag or case.  Go
to Container store and get that.  It comes with sets of radials to deploy
from a stud with wing nut. It works great, just not too sturdy in windy
areas.  After mods, mine is MUCH better.  You need some weights to put on
the ends of the H base to keep the light pipe assembly from blowing over in
wind.  Rocks or bricks work, or bury the H in sand at beach.  Minuteman had
a web page last I looked.

GL,
Stuart
K5KVH



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