Print

[KD0VE]

Just upgraded to a diesel pusher RV after a couple years with a Class C.  LOTS more storage space.  Looking for comments on present portable ham station.  SSB ops, mostly 10-40M, some 80M.  Not planning on mobile ops.  Have read many comments about campgrounds that "don't want anything in the trees" so trying to have good antenna options that don't require wire or rope in the trees.

Kenwood TS-480HX with 300w. manual tuner.  Rig Expert AA-30 analyzer
35' telescoping fiberglass mast with tilting hitch receiver mount.  Adding a free standing tripod mount now that I'll have space to store it.
Buddipole, so far only used as a dipole.  Got a "MyAntennas" 10-40M end fed for Xmas; temp set up on my deck with fiberglass mast has given pretty good performance so think I'll bring that as well.

I have an amp I could take along but that seems like it would be more trouble than it'd be worth and the buddipole is only rated for 250w anyway.

Just looking for comments from folks that have been at this a lot longer than me.  something I'm missing or possibly websites for portable ops that would be useful.  Maybe answers to some questions I don't know enough to ask.

thx to anyone taking the timer to offer advice.

KD0ZGW

[K6SDW]

Nice equipment you listed......have you looked at POTA, Parks on the Air? I'm a "chaser" for SOTA and POTA...fun stuff.

Good Hunting..

~ ed

[W1MOW]

A couple of years ago I made a version of the "MFJ-Octopus". (If I had to do it over again I would just buy the "Chameleon Spider".) I found it much easier to use than a "Buddiepole". The only issue was how long the "Hamsticks" are, when the painters pole I use is attached to the ladder on the back of my trailer, they extend out over the access roads on pull though sites. I ended up making a tripod to use attached to the "A" on the front. This year I am going to add a TV rotor to adjust the signal. I have 40, 20, 17, & 10 meter "sticks".

I also have an "Alpha Antennas FMJ 80-6 meter" vertical. In campgrounds it is very noisy, it picks up all noise from the RV's power supplies, I've had good reports while using it, but it is a compromised antenna. I have manged to sneak up a "MyAntenna" end fed a couple of times, got caught once, and was told to take it down, and they threatened to kick us out. They also told me to take down the vertical.

I have a FT-991A, with a MFJ-949E antenna tuner, and use an "Ed Fong" dual band antenna for 2 & 70cm.

Gary W1MOW

[K6AER]

I have a 26 foot travel trailer with a metal roof. On the end of the trailer I have a 40-6 meter SteppIR vertical antenna. Normally the antenna lays on the roof with about 7 feet of overhang on the front while traveling. Once we get to the camp ground I have a 3 foot lever section opposite of the tilt lever that I can tilt the antenna up by pulling a rope until the antenna is vertical. The operation is pretty much like any resonate vertical and if I go to 80 meters I need an small antenna tuner. It takes 30 seconds to pull the antenna vertical.

As always when in a camp ground their can be interference issues both with the radio killing other peoples electronics as well as interference to my radio. Some times we put a flag on the end of the SteppIR and camp folks just think it is a flag pole.

[KD0VE]

Thx for POTA reference.  will probably try some activations.  Also reference to Chameleon Spider.

kdozgw

[KK6RPX]

I use a Little Tarheel II with a 17' telescoping whip. It works really great! We just did a 3+ week trip from CA to AZ, NM, UT and CO. Used the station every morning for my usual net. No problems either hearing or being heard. That antenna works better than it has any right to. Takes less than 10 minutes to get set up. I use an IC-7100 with it. I have a number of other setups including a 25' push up pole with a dipole, end fed, buddy pole, all sorts of stuff and while the dipole arguably worked better it was much more of a dog and pony show to set up. With the Tarheel, hit camp, spend less than 10 minutes to set up and I am on the air. Love it.

I don't even have it "properly" mounted. I made a mount that goes on the hinge of one of the rear doors of the van and you can still open and close the door. In theory this will have a less than ideal ground plane and I am sure it does. However, I have never been able to notice any directionality and it just works really well. 

[KD0VE]

Update.  tested 20M dipole inv. V  vs. MyAntennas 40-10 end fed.  Both with apex at about 30'.  similar performance on 20M and end fed good performance on other bands.  End fed easier portable set up as only one horizontal element to string up.  Worked Europe barefoot on 20M from MN with the end fed.

Next trip will test a ladder line fed 40M doublet with tuner.  Unless it's noticably better than the end fed (which doesn't need a tuner and is easier set up) the end fed will become my Go To antenna.

[KN3C]

I have a diesel pusher and tow a Fiat 500.  I purchased an adapter for the hitch that gives me a second hitch receiver.  I purchased a Tarheel MT1/MT3 combination and use that to mount my HI-Q 5-80 screwdriver.  When stationary, I use an MFJ 17' telescoping whip on the HI-Q.

At present, I use a temporary lashup with a TS-590SG.  Ultimately I'll have a permanent install of an HF rig.  I've used this setup in a number of campgrounds and Walmart parking lots.  Just this past week I did a test with my ALS-500M and was able to put 400W into the HI-Q

I do have photos.  Contact me at my ARRL email address if you would like to see them.

Rick, KN3C

[KD2HCU]

Sounds like a fantastic idea.

[N0GV]

I would think that versatility would trump directionality/gain in this application.

Your Buddipole system is going to be competitive with a simple 1/4 wave vertical with a radial system only if it is 1/2 wavelength in the air. I would suggest a couple of rolls of wire mesh about 3' wide x 10 to 20' long for the radial system.

This will roll up to a 10" diameter and store well....

Good luck!

Grover

[N7WE]

Have a look at the Eagle One Antenna.  Relatively inexpensive and they work!  I used one ladder mounted (motor home chassis for counterpoise) on our class A for a number of years.  Quick up and down and totally contained.  No complaints from campgrounds including National Parks!  Worked Europe to Australia, mostly on 20m and 40m.  It does require a good - preferably automatic - tuner.  A common mode choke was essential to prevent strange happenings in the motor home electrics.  Check the reviews here on eHam and also the iRV2 forum.  https://www.irv2.com/forums/f55/eagle-one-vertical-307784.html

[N0GV]

Issues with "Campgrounds" are likely to include RF Exposure limit violations. I'd be cautious with anything vertical and over 100 watts. A rotatable dipole up at 35' is a different story though.... Then the issue is likely going to be RFI....

Grover

[K5LXP]

Looks like you've zeroed in my default portable antenna solution I've used for years - EFHWA.  I have a few different flavors, from matchbox fed (PAR), adjustable/tuner and window line matched.  It's difficult to match the efficiency and ease of setup of a EFHWA vertical, vee or flattop depending on location.

2nd on the list would be my loaded Sigma vertical dipole.  Not the epitome of ease of setup or transport but if I have the room and setup time, it's a great tool in the toolbox.

Next on my list of things to try is the N6BT "AHVD" verticals.  Since they're basically unobtainium the plan of action is to build one per this recent posting:

https://www.eham.net/community/smf/index.php/topic,123759.0.html

Not in deference to the EFHWA, but to have another tool in the tool box depending on the operating location and circumstances.  The "short" untuned verticals (S9, et al) require a beefy tuner which I guess is an option, but not a road I care to go down.

Mark K5LXP
Albuquerque, NM