I'm thinking that an NVIS 80M dipole fed with window line is probably the most flexible solution that would give me the biggest local signal?
I'd take it one step further - feed the antenna with RG-174 coax and forget
about the tuner. The losses are less than 1dB in 50'. Tune up your antenna
in a local park before you go. This is what I've done for portable operation
with my venerable Ten-Tec Argonaut 505.
One method I've used for field adjustment is to tie the support ropes to the
antenna about 5' (1 - 2 m) from the end of the wire. I then attached a plastic
clothespin or alligator clip to the end of the wire with a short piece of string.
That allows me to fold the end back towards the feedpoint (to raise the
resonant frequency) or out along the support rope (to lower it) depending
on where I put the clip.
Using #24 stranded, insulated hookup wire for the antenna and the RG-174
you may be able to squeeze the whole antenna kit in the same space as the
tuner. My antenna kit is a 2" x 4" x 6" pouch which contains my feedline
plus dipole wires for all 5 pre-WARC HF bands and enough rope to put them
up. (Mason's cord is useful for light antennas.)
If you have enough weight and space you can use RG-58 instead of RG-174.
The dipole will give you high angle radiation for local work around New England
and Nova Scotia / New Brunswick / Quebec. An inverted L will have more
vertical polarization which is better if you are trying to work across the Pond,
though with a maximum height of 20' it will still have some high angle radiation
as well. (It might also give you good ground wave coverage to Yarmouth.)
Another accessory to consider is a Parafoil kite, made entirely of fabric without
any sticks. That would lift your wire when you want to try vertical polarization
and take up little space in your suitcase.
