Portable Antennae
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While I await my K3 (sometime in June) I would like to construct a good
portable antennae to use while camping (RV camping). If it is a dipole it will need to be short enough to fit in the footprint of a campsite. Any recommendations.maybe even for a vertical? 73 & God Bless! Ken/NO4D _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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Portable 40m to 10m Inverted V Antenna used by W2XS
Jackite 31-foot pole and ground mount (or, bungee-cord it to a table or deck railing): http://www.jackite.com/product_info.php?products_id=132 Coleman camping reel. Buy 4 of them. Use two for the antenna wire (I use 33 feet on each side but you can 22 feet and above for 40m to 10m). Use the other two as ropes to secure the antenna ends to the ground stakes. Walmart, etc., sells these things. http://www.mysimon.com/9015-11034_8-30962052.html Two tent stakes to secure the rope ends: http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?categoryId=7310&storeId=226&catalogId=40000000226 300-ohm twin lead for the feed line. I bought 50 feet from Radio Shack. I use a small piece of Plexiglas for the center insulator with a small hole drilled in it. I use a twist-tie to secure it to the ring on the top section of the pole. I have also used a small PVC pipe coupling section from the local hardware store. BLT Tuner (or equivalent set up. I use the K2 internal tuner and a BL1 balun): http://www.qrpkits.com/norcal_blt.htm It works very well on 40m to 10m.
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In reply to this post by Ken/NO4D
Ken - Check out the Portable Travel Vertical and the Portable Multi-Band
Dipole in the "Articles" section of my website at www.ad5x.com. Phil - AD5X _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by John W2XS
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In reply to this post by Ken/NO4D
<quote author="Ken Kirkley-2"> While I await my K3 (sometime in June) I would like to construct a good portable antennae to use while camping (RV camping). If it is a dipole it will need to be short enough to fit in the footprint of a campsite. Any recommendations.maybe even for a vertical? 73 & God Bless! Ken/NO4D Ken, Take a look at either the "End Fedz" or "Buddi Pole" portable antennas. Possibly one of those may suit your needs. Good luck Larry K1UO |
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I have been extremely happy with the Pacific Antennas PAC-12 mini
vertical. It's a kit that's easy to build, very light, breaks down to a very small bundle 12 inches long, and it's been very efficient. I worked VP6DX on 3 bands with it! Price is right as well. Easy enough to buy one just to throw into the car trunk and have for casual or emergency comms. BTW, I am using just the stock, simple 8-foot radials that come with the kit. Takes no time at all to set up. Just push it into reasonably soft ground, spread out the radials in an 8- foot radius, connect a 15-foot piece of RG-174 coax with BNC's on both ends, and start calling. I'd much rather set this antenna up in a random campsite than string a wire antenna. Unless you're camping on concrete, you can always have the antenna feedpoint within a few feet of where you want to be sitting. Very happy customer--I bought two of them, no financial interest other than that. BTW, they have two versions that differ only in the loading coil. With one, you wind individual coils for each band that you swap out (60 seconds max). The second version has a single coil with a tap wire and clip that you move. My first purchase was the one with the individual coils, and that's the one I've been using most of the time. All the parts are identical and interchangeable otherwise. Their website: http://www.pacificantenna.com/ eHam reviews (including mine): http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/4617 73, Dave K7DAA http://www.k7daa.com On Feb 29, 2008, at 12:24 PM, Larry K1UO wrote: > > > > While I await my K3 (sometime in June) I would like to construct a > good > portable antennae to use while camping (RV camping). If it is a > dipole it > will need to be short enough to fit in the footprint of a campsite. > Any > recommendations.maybe even for a vertical? > > > > 73 & God Bless! > > Ken/NO4D > > Ken, > > Take a look at either the "End Fedz" or "Buddi Pole" portable > antennas. > Possibly one of those may suit your needs. Good luck > > Larry K1UO > -- > View this message in context: http://www.nabble.com/Portable-Antennae-tp15764570p15766866.html > Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. > > _______________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Post to: [hidden email] > You must be a subscriber to post to the list. > Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm > Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
Re: ARRL Reports Ducie Operator's K3 Comments
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In reply to this post by AC7AC
Time to go "big time" with an offshore production line!? Maybe Yaesu/
Motorola will subcontract it for them! I'm kidding...just kidding...;-) 73, Dave K7DAA http://www.k7daa.com On Feb 29, 2008, at 11:54 AM, Ron D'Eau Claire wrote: > The quickly-becoming-famous quote by the Ducie Dxpedition team was > picked up > in the ARRL e-mail letter today: > > * Elecraft K3 radio. They said "The outstanding receiver and > transmitter > characteristics allowed us to run two positions simultaneously on > any band > -- even the very narrow 30 meter band -- with absolutely no > interference. > Good design makes the complex appear simple: the ins and outs of this > sophisticated radio were quickly mastered by the operator team, none > of whom > had seen a K3 before the expedition." > > Time for Eric/Wayne to take a deep breath and smile again! > > Ron AC7AC > > _______________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Post to: [hidden email] > You must be a subscriber to post to the list. > Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm > Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
Re: ARRL Reports Ducie Operator's K3 Comments
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I would be very surprised if outsourcing manufacturing has NOT been thought
about and discussed behind closed doors. How could you not at least think about that with production being as backlogged as it is? I wouldn't expect to see this any time soon, because it would take many, many months to set this up with standards high enough for Elecraft, but if this radio comes to dominate both the high-end performance and mid-range price-point markets, it seems like a no-brainer to me. Is this heresy? Maybe... :-) But seems to me it's reality business-wise. Bill W5WVO Dave Andrus wrote: > Time to go "big time" with an offshore production line!? Maybe Yaesu/ > Motorola will subcontract it for them! > > I'm kidding...just kidding...;-) > > 73, > > Dave K7DAA > http://www.k7daa.com > > On Feb 29, 2008, at 11:54 AM, Ron D'Eau Claire wrote: > >> The quickly-becoming-famous quote by the Ducie Dxpedition team was >> picked up >> in the ARRL e-mail letter today: >> >> * Elecraft K3 radio. They said "The outstanding receiver and >> transmitter >> characteristics allowed us to run two positions simultaneously on >> any band >> -- even the very narrow 30 meter band -- with absolutely no >> interference. >> Good design makes the complex appear simple: the ins and outs of this >> sophisticated radio were quickly mastered by the operator team, none >> of whom >> had seen a K3 before the expedition." >> >> Time for Eric/Wayne to take a deep breath and smile again! >> >> Ron AC7AC >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Elecraft mailing list >> Post to: [hidden email] >> You must be a subscriber to post to the list. >> Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): >> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm >> Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com > > _______________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Post to: [hidden email] > You must be a subscriber to post to the list. > Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm > Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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I wonder what they could sell a K3 out for if it was made in China?
$1,200? I have no knowledge of manufacturing, but, judging from the fact that everything else is made over there, I wouldn't be surprised. 73, Steve NN4X On Fri, Feb 29, 2008 at 7:56 PM, Bill W5WVO <[hidden email]> wrote: > I would be very surprised if outsourcing manufacturing has NOT been thought > about and discussed behind closed doors. How could you not at least think > about that with production being as backlogged as it is? I wouldn't expect to > see this any time soon, because it would take many, many months to set this up > with standards high enough for Elecraft, but if this radio comes to dominate > both the high-end performance and mid-range price-point markets, it seems like > a no-brainer to me. Is this heresy? Maybe... :-) But seems to me it's reality > business-wise. > > Bill W5WVO > > > Dave Andrus wrote: > > Time to go "big time" with an offshore production line!? Maybe Yaesu/ > > Motorola will subcontract it for them! > > > > I'm kidding...just kidding...;-) > > > > 73, > > > > Dave K7DAA > > http://www.k7daa.com > > > > On Feb 29, 2008, at 11:54 AM, Ron D'Eau Claire wrote: > > > >> The quickly-becoming-famous quote by the Ducie Dxpedition team was > >> picked up > >> in the ARRL e-mail letter today: > >> > >> * Elecraft K3 radio. They said "The outstanding receiver and > >> transmitter > >> characteristics allowed us to run two positions simultaneously on > >> any band > >> -- even the very narrow 30 meter band -- with absolutely no > >> interference. > >> Good design makes the complex appear simple: the ins and outs of this > >> sophisticated radio were quickly mastered by the operator team, none > >> of whom > >> had seen a K3 before the expedition." > >> > >> Time for Eric/Wayne to take a deep breath and smile again! > >> > >> Ron AC7AC > >> > >> _______________________________________________ > >> Elecraft mailing list > >> Post to: [hidden email] > >> You must be a subscriber to post to the list. > >> Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): > >> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > >> > >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm > >> Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com > > > > _______________________________________________ > > Elecraft mailing list > > Post to: [hidden email] > > You must be a subscriber to post to the list. > > Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): > > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > > > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm > > Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com > > _______________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Post to: [hidden email] > You must be a subscriber to post to the list. > Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm > Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com > Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
ARRL Reports Ducie Operator's K3 Comments
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In reply to this post by Bill VanAlstyne W5WVO
"I wonder what they could sell a K3 out for if it was made in China?
$1,200? I have no knowledge of manufacturing, but, judging from the fact that everything else is made over there, I wouldn't be surprised." Actually, you might be surprised. Automation makes for a great equalizer. I bet there is not much difference in assembly and parts costs of the boards between on-shore and off-shore. Assembly houses throughout the world use similar automatic equipment, and the parts are all very similar in cost as well. Where your savings occur is in actual labour costs. So I think that the savings could possibly be seen in assembled K3s, as the labor would be cheaper. BUT - there isn't that much labor associated with the K3, due to an outstandingly well thought out design (as anyone who built the K3 knows). And we all know what the assembly labor costs are (not that high). So you'd save on labor, but then you would pay import duties. Bottom line - I bet there would not be that much of a savings. Phil - AD5X Phil - AD5X _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
Re: [SPAM] Re: ARRL Reports Ducie Operator's K3 Comments
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In reply to this post by S Sacco
On Fri, 29 Feb 2008, S Sacco wrote:
> I wonder what they could sell a K3 out for if it was made in China? > $1,200? I have no knowledge of manufacturing, but, judging from the > fact that everything else is made over there, I wouldn't be surprised. I don't think they would want to risk quality control issues....having walked the walk in the past of having products produced in various areas, it's a nasty world. I suppose lead paint ios not an issue with a K3. Perhaps things have gotten better.... 73 k3hrn Thom,EIEIO Email, Internet, Electronic Information Officer www.baltimorehon.com/ Home of the Baltimore Lexicon www.tlchost.net/hosting/ Web Hosting as low as 3.49/month _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
Re: ARRL Reports Ducie Operator's K3 Comments
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In reply to this post by Phil Salas
Phil & Debbie Salas wrote:
> So you'd > save on labor, but then you would pay import duties. Bottom line - I bet > there would not be that much of a savings. Yeah, I wasn't thinking about cost savings so much as I was thinking about production capacity and turn time following a change (or expected change) in sales volume. Bill W5WVO _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
RE: ARRL Reports Ducie Operator's K3 Comments
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In reply to this post by Bill VanAlstyne W5WVO
I work in a company that does a lot of overseas work and if quality is
important you end up in places like Singapore and Malaysia. Then you also end up paying a lot more for labor. Average wage for employees in our Singapore CM is 13 dollars an hour! I GUARANTEE you could get someone to tune things up and do a good job in the US for that rate! You could get some high schooler hams to do it for that wage and they'd love their jobs and take great pride in it. Our biggest problem where I work is that we're idiots. Our system only allows for one price to be put into the system and that price is put into the system when the engineers are buying prototype quantities. So then when we print out a BOM cost its heavily inflated because they are onesy twosey costs. Then when they ship this BOM overseas they are amazed at how much less expensive it is overseas. They think that this is because of the "buying power" that the contract manufacturers have. But it's only because our costs are so inflated. Not to mention the severe speed decrease that you have to take when changes are needed. As well the fact that many contract manufacturers build a lot more than you ask them to and when you make a change your scrap costs can end up MUCH higher than you planned for. They usually make way more than you ask them to as it helps them cut costs but they rarely pass these savings onto you and have no problems passing the obsolescence cost onto you when it's their actions that increased that cost beyond what you specified. Just the other day I found a place where a contract manufacturer was double charging us for a part and we'd ended up overpaying by about 3/4 of a million dollars over the last couple years. They made no offer of repayment but made up a story about how it was not their fault and how we'd agreed to pay the price we were paying. So I'm not so sure it really makes all that much "business sense". Things keep getting more and more expensive over there. Heck as the US dollar keeps going further and further down in value then that only makes it all the more expensive. Not to mention the fact that Wayne and Eric would be in planes constantly going over to the CM to try and flesh out problems then firmware updates would be even lower on the priority list of things to manage. But there would be tons of radios out there which makes them worth less money to the end user this only cuts into the bottom line of the manufacturer though. Feel free to flame away but I've done quite a bit of design with overseas manufactures. I LOVE it when we're making boards domestically for prototypes and HATE getting work done once its gone overseas. The unfortunate thing is that we're so stupid now our operations department is looking into selling our SMT equipment and looking at making us do all of our prototyping overseas. No more 5 day turn fabs! Any and all changes will take several weeks to get anything back and will cost a heck of a lot more. -----Original Message----- From: [hidden email] [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Bill W5WVO Sent: Friday, February 29, 2008 4:57 PM To: Dave Andrus; [hidden email] Subject: Re: [Elecraft] ARRL Reports Ducie Operator's K3 Comments I would be very surprised if outsourcing manufacturing has NOT been thought about and discussed behind closed doors. How could you not at least think about that with production being as backlogged as it is? I wouldn't expect to see this any time soon, because it would take many, many months to set this up with standards high enough for Elecraft, but if this radio comes to dominate both the high-end performance and mid-range price-point markets, it seems like a no-brainer to me. Is this heresy? Maybe... :-) But seems to me it's reality business-wise. Bill W5WVO Dave Andrus wrote: > Time to go "big time" with an offshore production line!? Maybe Yaesu/ > Motorola will subcontract it for them! > > I'm kidding...just kidding...;-) > > 73, > > Dave K7DAA > http://www.k7daa.com > > On Feb 29, 2008, at 11:54 AM, Ron D'Eau Claire wrote: > >> The quickly-becoming-famous quote by the Ducie Dxpedition team was >> picked up >> in the ARRL e-mail letter today: >> >> * Elecraft K3 radio. They said "The outstanding receiver and >> transmitter >> characteristics allowed us to run two positions simultaneously on >> any band >> -- even the very narrow 30 meter band -- with absolutely no >> interference. >> Good design makes the complex appear simple: the ins and outs of this >> sophisticated radio were quickly mastered by the operator team, none >> of whom >> had seen a K3 before the expedition." >> >> Time for Eric/Wayne to take a deep breath and smile again! >> >> Ron AC7AC >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Elecraft mailing list >> Post to: [hidden email] >> You must be a subscriber to post to the list. >> Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): >> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm >> Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com > > _______________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Post to: [hidden email] > You must be a subscriber to post to the list. > Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm > Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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Well we've crossed 500 so I've updated this link with a new image... I'll
do another when we cross 600. http://www.livecomputers.com/web_pics/K3_Build_Rate.png _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by k1uo-Larry
Larry,
The system I use for a portable antenna can be adapted to most any circumstances I find myself in. It can be a horizontal dipole, and inverted vee or a vertical. They all work, some better than others, but hey, it allows one to get on the air in difficult places. It is not always that one can find the ideal set of conditions, so I make the best of what I can. The heart of my system is a 32 ft telescoping fiberglass medium duty mast I obtained from www.tmastco.com. Along with that, I have a 44 ft. dipole center fed with 25 feet of parallel line. I also carry a 25 ft length of additional parallel line, and 2-22 ft pieces of antenna wire. I also have a roll of mason line to use for tying things off. The additional feedline length and 22 ft. antenna wire extensions are fitted with alligator clips so it can be added when desirable. When I set up, I look at the space available - if I have another high end support in addition to my pole, the antenna goes up as a horizontal dipole, but if space is more limited, I just secure the pole with a bungy cord to a sstationary object and tie the top of the pole to the center insulator, then put it up as an inverted vee. If space is even more limited, I tie one end of the antenna wire to the top of the pole and use it as a vertical with one radial laid out on the ground wherever I can - if room allows, I will clip on the extra wire at the ground side of the feedpoint to add more radials. The extra 22 ft pieces of wire can also be added to the ends of the antenna to make an 88 ft. dipole or inverted vee for more efficient radiation on 40 meters and allowing operation on 80. The mason line can also be used for light guy wires if that is desirable. Tent pins serve nicely for anchor points when no others are available. So there you have my system - it can be a 44 ft. dipole or inverted vee (extendable to 88 ft.) or it can be a vertical (with feedpoint about 8 feet above the ground) with one or more radials. Used with a tuner, it makes a versatile antenna. A few insulators made out of plastic or PVC, a bit of wire, some 300 ohm or 450 ohm ladder line and a handful of alligator clips can make you a similar antenna. No, I do not have plans for it on my website - maybe one day it will get there. 73, Don W3FPR Larry K1UO wrote: > > While I await my K3 (sometime in June) I would like to construct a good > portable antennae to use while camping (RV camping). If it is a dipole it > will need to be short enough to fit in the footprint of a campsite. Any > recommendations.maybe even for a vertical? > > > > 73 & God Bless! > > Ken/NO4D > > Ken, > > Take a look at either the "End Fedz" or "Buddi Pole" portable antennas. > Possibly one of those may suit your needs. Good luck > > Larry K1UO > Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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I basically have the same, but never thought of using it as anything but an
inverted V - thanks Don On 03/03/2008 19:55, "Don Wilhelm" <[hidden email]> sent: > Larry, > > The system I use for a portable antenna can be adapted to most any > circumstances I find myself in. It can be a horizontal dipole, and > inverted vee or a vertical. They all work, some better than others, but > hey, it allows one to get on the air in difficult places. It is not > always that one can find the ideal set of conditions, so I make the best > of what I can. > > The heart of my system is a 32 ft telescoping fiberglass medium duty > mast I obtained from www.tmastco.com. Along with that, I have a 44 ft. > dipole center fed with 25 feet of parallel line. > I also carry a 25 ft length of additional parallel line, and 2-22 ft > pieces of antenna wire. I also have a roll of mason line to use for > tying things off. The additional feedline length and 22 ft. antenna > wire extensions are fitted with alligator clips so it can be added when > desirable. > > When I set up, I look at the space available - if I have another high > end support in addition to my pole, the antenna goes up as a horizontal > dipole, but if space is more limited, I just secure the pole with a > bungy cord to a sstationary object and tie the top of the pole to the > center insulator, then put it up as an inverted vee. If space is even > more limited, I tie one end of the antenna wire to the top of the pole > and use it as a vertical with one radial laid out on the ground wherever > I can - if room allows, I will clip on the extra wire at the ground side > of the feedpoint to add more radials. The extra 22 ft pieces of wire > can also be added to the ends of the antenna to make an 88 ft. dipole or > inverted vee for more efficient radiation on 40 meters and allowing > operation on 80. The mason line can also be used for light guy wires if > that is desirable. Tent pins serve nicely for anchor points when no > others are available. > > So there you have my system - it can be a 44 ft. dipole or inverted vee > (extendable to 88 ft.) or it can be a vertical (with feedpoint about 8 > feet above the ground) with one or more radials. Used with a tuner, it > makes a versatile antenna. A few insulators made out of plastic or PVC, > a bit of wire, some 300 ohm or 450 ohm ladder line and a handful of > alligator clips can make you a similar antenna. No, I do not have plans > for it on my website - maybe one day it will get there. > > 73, > Don W3FPR > > > > Larry K1UO wrote: >> >> While I await my K3 (sometime in June) I would like to construct a good >> portable antennae to use while camping (RV camping). If it is a dipole it >> will need to be short enough to fit in the footprint of a campsite. Any >> recommendations.maybe even for a vertical? >> >> >> >> 73 & God Bless! >> >> Ken/NO4D >> >> Ken, >> >> Take a look at either the "End Fedz" or "Buddi Pole" portable antennas. >> Possibly one of those may suit your needs. Good luck >> >> Larry K1UO >> > _______________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Post to: [hidden email] > You must be a subscriber to post to the list. > Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm > Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com -- Sin lies only in hurting others unnecessarily. All other "sins" are invented nonsense. -Robert A. Heinlein, science-fiction author (1907-1988) _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by Ken/NO4D
Dear fellow Elecrafters,
One of the most tiresome traits my fellow amateurs have is to sit with me and extol the virtues of their G5RV, Carolina Windom, 3 element monobander 80 Mtr antenna at 100 tt, or "what-ever." The truth is that all antennas have some virtue and it just depends what is most important for your application. I've had great success with ham-sticks on my little Mazda Miata and clamping them on wrought iron motel balcony railings. They're portable and light to carry. In 10 minutes I can be on the air; I'm not particular where I talk to, but I enjoy a snappy fist. Especially tiresome is the oft-heard refrain that verticals radiate poorly in all directions. I'd like to point out that there are about 6,000 AM Standard Broadcast Stations on the air in the United States, and nearly all of them use verticals. Since the 1920's the vertical is one of the most thoroughly researched and documented antennas known and they are VERY efficient. By the way, few of them in the BC service are resonant; engineers usually discuss them in degrees of electrical wavelength. If I were a wealthy man with an RV, and the money to go traveling, I would ask myself how much physical effort I wanted to expend against the length of time I might be parked in a particular spot. Next, I would wonder if I was seeking DX or NVIS QSO's and consider on what band(s) I wanted to operate. Just my two cents worth. Thanks for listening. TR, WB6TMY _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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Broadcast antennas have the benefit of working in the clear, and usually with a very good ground system. Same with the verticals often used by DXpeditions on the low bands, which are usually down on the sea shore somewhere. The same cannot be said of the average ham vertical operated from a suburban back lot surrounded by trees, bushes, other houses etc. The wire antennas in my very small attic work better than any vertical I ever tried.
Julian, G4ILO. K2 #392 K3 #222 KX3 #110
* G4ILO's Shack - http://www.g4ilo.com * KComm - http://www.g4ilo.com/kcomm.html * KTune - http://www.g4ilo.com/ktune.html |
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In reply to this post by Ken/NO4D
I typically use a long wire with my K1, but I still switch it out sometimes for my first antenna -- a Buddistick vertical.
I'd just gotten licensed and wanted to get on the air quickly, as well as having something very portable, and the Buddistick (I bought the deluxe package) has worked well for me. I feel like it's well-constructed, assembles and breaks down easily, and the carry bag it comes with is of great quality. I've done pretty well with it on some trips so far, and the base clamp has proven to be pretty versatile. I've clamped the antenna onto the side of a rock, on the trunk of a small tree, on the side of my car, and of course on things like benches, railings and the like. I've never tried the full on Buddipole dipole system, but I'd like to someday. 73, Mark / KB3OKS
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