I also get very good results with a 44' dipole supported by a 20' crappie pole (non-metallic telescoping pole). Given the dearth of trees in this semi-desert, it is the only way to go. However, crappie poles are made for fishing. The last section is very thin and flexible to signal even the slightest nibble by a 1-lb fish. That makes it far too "bendy" for me when supporting even a very light dipole. I carry a short (about 2') section of fiberglass tubing from an old dome tent that I slip over the very end to stiffen it. It rests on the shoulder of the second section of the crappie pole.
I also have good luck with an end fed half wave cut for 40m with a 1/4 wave radial. Sometimes I have just layed the EFHFA out over the pucker bushes. If you know the location you will be setting up, you can plan the kind of antenna you need. If you don't, you need to take a variety of antennas. Eric KE6US -----Original Message----- Chas, I consider the most versatile to be a non-metallic telescoping pole to use as a support. it can hold your wire vertically if you want, or since I prefer balanced antennas, it can support the center of a dipole fed with coax, or my real preference for portable work, a 44 foot wire center fed with a parallel transmission line (of course a tuner/balun is needed at the rig end with this combination) - works well 40 thru 10 meters, and maybe even on 80 in a pinch. 73, Don W3FPR > -----Original Message----- > > What's a good antenna for portable ops on 20 or 40 meters? I have a > wire for use with the KX1, but it requires a tree, and you don't find > trees everywhere. I was thinking about one with a base, or one that > could be use with a base. There's a lot of them out there, but I'm > looking for a recommendation. _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [email protected] 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
