Very interesting technique; I will certainly practice this on a calm day, and see if this improves from the "tilt all technique" !
Thanks!
EI2HEB - Edwin.

Hi all,

Just to share what I use on Field Days.
First of all, the local radio club, the North Cork Radio Group (www.ei1nc.com) organizes field days and events all year round, with an average of once monthly. So, like the OP, I am thinking of portable antenna's all year round as well.

As a beginner in the hobby I had to make choices of what I need at first, and build my arsenal as time goes by.
I built a 1/4-wave vertical with ground radials for 40 meter, tuned it to be at 7.170, and used this at first for 15m (with tuner) and 40m.
The drawback was the time to setup the antenna (about an hour) and that it will take a minimum of 3 people to do so, especially in high winds.

This year I added a MFJ993BRT tuner at the feedpoint of this vertical, this allowed me to tune any band. Not surprisingly we got some great results on 20m, where this would be close to a half-wave!

I still keep and use this antenna, despite the difficult setup and time.

Secondary antenna I have is a short aluminium push-up mast of about 3 meter height. On top a Chameleon V2, extended with a Chameleon MIL whip. Used two telescopic MFJ rods as a GP. With a Tuner it will rune from 10 to 20m. But it seems that best results of this antenna are 15m.
The drawback of this antenna is that the Chameleon is a "compromise" antenna. The great benefit of this antenna is its quick setup time; mast and antenna operational in about 10 minutes!!

These are the two protable setups I am currently using.

Plans are there for a collection of wire dipoles, which I am building now. And I have some thoughts on a more directional setup, something like a foldable Hexbeam, on a tall push-up mast.... but budgets need to be observed as well !!

I am sure that my collection of antennas will grow over time...

73,
EI2HEB - Edwin.

Hans,
I was looking at a cheap chinese dual-bander and noticed the Baojie.
Did you had the chance to try it?.. if so; can you share your opinion?
Thanks,
Edwin.

I wondered that... because I have a 21.65 MHz harmonic resonance on my "standard" 40m inv-V...
thanks Dale,
Edwin.

I was looking at an inverted-V for 40m and 15m, and on another discussion forum (qrz.com) someone posted the following:

A 40 meter dipole will resonate just above the 15 meter band. An easy way to bring the 15 meter resonant point back down to where you need it is to add a couple of stubs (just a couple of short wires). In an inverted vee configuration with about a 90 degree included angle, here is something that should work. For a resonance close to 7.1 MHz, a dipole with 33.6 ft legs, using bare wire. Then on each side go out 6 ft from the feedpoint and add 2.7 ft wires. Just let the ends of the wires hang down. You can prune the length of those 2.7 ft wires to put the resonant point on 15 meters where you want it. Changing the length of the 40 meter dipole will affect the length of the stubs you need for 15 meters.

Now: I have not build this; so I have no experience with it, so use this info as-is.

I am planning to build it in the next couple of weeks.
If this works; it is certainly a neat method to have a dual band inv-V without the use of traps.

73 de EI2HEB - Edwin.

Well yes, a 5/9 report, or any report for that matter, is highly dependend on the working conditions it is received with.
So if the report is dependend on that, why give a report at all; unless you can also report such conditions ?

Sound like a plan! Thanks for all your feedback and tips!!

Thanks, but I am sure it will take some practice measuring; then again; never to old to learn!

Never thought of that, intersting approach!

Yes, maybe a dual band 20/40m to try out first... that might be wise!

Thanks again for your feedback!

Thanks WB6BYU, for your quick response!

It seems that the traps I have (given to me) are for 10m-FM, 20m and 60m.
So I guess it would be better (and easier to tune) an antenna for 10mFM, 20m, 60m and 80m, a three trap for 4 bands.

I don't have the LC values of the traps, so I cannot calculate, just experiment !

thanks again,
Edwin.

Hi,

I have a question regarding building a trapped inverted V antenna, for 15/40/80 meter.

Now I have the traps, but they are not resonant in any of the bands, they are resonant on 29.6 MHz (trap1), 14.1 MHz (trap2), 5.5 MHz (trap3)
I understand that traps are "lossy" and that they are "most lossy" at resonance frequency.

I was thinking of a configuration, something like this (detailing only 1 leg):

balun -- trap1 -- 15mSection -- trap2 -- 40mSection -- trap3 -- 80mSection

or (omitting trap1):

balun -- 15mSection -- trap2 -- 40mSection -- trap3 -- 80mSection


Question1: would this be possible ?
Question2: how would you tune it: build all together and then tune the sections, or build one section, tune, then hookup the next section ? or even different again?

Any comments, suggestions, tips and tricks welcome!

Thanks,
73 de EI2HEB - Edwin.

We will be operational between 11AM till 4PM (UTC+1)

Mainly 40m; SSB; 7.170 +/- QRM
Alternatively 20m; SSB; 14.270 +/- QRM

We will have 1 station, hence we will QSY between 40m and 20m during the event.

The exact frequencies and operators will be announced real time on Facebook and Twitter:
- twitter.com/ei1nc (this posts automatically to www.facebook.com/ei1nc)
- www.facebook.com/#!/groups/ei1nc/ (our main FB page which will be manually updated)

hope to work you on the air on the day!
73 de EI1NC.

The North Cork Radio Group moves forward with more activations!

Sunday 14-October, 11AM (UTC+1), the NCRG will be activating Cork City Goal (Jail)
http://www.corkcitygaol.com/

The new Cork City Gaol opened in 1824 & was reported as being "the finest in 3 Kingdoms". In 1870 the west wing was remodelled into a double-sided cell wing & in 1878 under the General Prisons (Ireland) Act, the Gaol became an all-female prison which it remained until male anti-treaty supporters were incarcerated in 1922/1923. The Gaol closed in August 1923, with all remaining prisoners either released or transferred to other gaols.

At the same location and uniquely situated in the former Governor’s House, is the Radio Museum Experience incorporating the restored 6CK Radio Broadcasting Studio. In addition to an audio visual on Marconi – and particularly his Irish connections, there is a wonderful collection of artefacts, including the RTE Collection, providing a nostalgic trip back to the early days of radio.

This event is open to all (subject to entrance fee to the Heritage Center), NCRG member or not, licensed or not.
If you want to experience the atmospere of the NCRG events, come along, work our station, and join the fun!

Hope to see you there, or work you on the air!

73 de EI1NC.

For those who want to sit their Morse exam; The IRTS will have a facility to sit and take the exam on the day at Noon...

We hope to see you all there on Sunday-9-Sep!! 73 DE EI1NC

The North Cork Radio Group - RALLY
9-September-2012, Commons Inn Hotel, Cork
Doors open 11AM.

http://www.facebook.com/events/442902192408157/

Folks,
NCRG are pleased to announce their annual Radio Rally & Electronics Fair to be held on Sunday, 9th September 2012 at the Roebuck Room, Commons Inn, Blackpool, Cork.

Doors open at 11am and admission is €5 per person (children are free). Raffle tickets will also be available at the door.

The usual commercial and private traders will be present. This year we will also have iRepairs (www.irepairs.ie), so bring your broken iPhone, iPad, iPod; screen replacements, software repairs or upgrades available. AREN (www.aren.ie) has kindly offered to have their ops-trailer on the premisis as a demo station.

Also, due to high demand, anyone wishing to reserve a table, or anyone interested in setting up a stall, should contact Edwin Van Mierlo (EI2HEB) on 086 3885741, or alternatively via email at ei2heb@ei1nc.com, as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. Book your tables now!!

Lots of traders, AREN demo station, and offcourse a good opportunity to meet, greet, and have a chat!
Hope to see you all there!

Rgds,
73 DE EI1NC

In less than a week, we are looking forward working you on the bands from Spike Island

Here is a sample of the QSL card which will be used:
http://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/399535_433457206698702_132642529_n.jpg

73!
DE EI1NC