I use a linked dipole, generally in inverted vee...
In my experience, the dipole has given the best combination of
simplicity and performance. I tried a vertical wire on 20m and 40m
for Field Day this year, and it just didn't seem to work as well.
For my purposes I generally put dipoles for multiple bands on
the same feedpoint, so I don't have to fuss with the antenna to
change bands. (That comes in handy when holed up in a tent
during a bad storm.)
...But I spend an hour setting up, and an hour taking down...
That certainly seems excessive, although it depends on the
circumstances. I've spent longer than that putting up portable
antennas, but generally that would be for Field Day when
performance is more important, and we are trying to get a
big antenna up high in the trees.
I have been planning to make a video for
my website on
setting up a portable dipole, partly to show that it needn't
take very long. But I haven't managed yet...
Of course, the time spent depends on the circumstances, the
available supports, your physical abilities, the equipment, etc.
In some cases, an hour might seem pretty fast.
As an example, I recently operated from a parking area. I used
a drive-on mount to hold the base of a 30' telescoping fishing
rod, tied a pulley and halyard to the next-to-top section (since
the top section is too flimsy), raised it up into position, attached
a dipole feedpoint and with wires for 20m and 40m to it, strung
the wires (and tie-off ropes) along the ground in the desired
directions, hoisted the feedpoint, tied off the elements, and
plugged the coax into the radio, all in 10-15 minutes.
So the first question is, what seems to take the most time?
Is it choosing a spot to set up? Untangling the rope and
wires? Erecting a mast? Getting a rope over a tree branch?
Pounding anchors for guy ropes? Fixing the joints of your
telescoping mast so they don't slip down? Or just lack of
practice or optimization?
From my experience, I would recommend two rules
to start with:
1) keep the wires and ropes from getting tangled
2) keep the antenna light
I solve #1 by winding all the ropes and wires in a
figure-of-8.
This allows me to untie a bundle of wire and walk through
the woods stretching it out, with minimal tangles. I've tried
various winding boards and such, but most don't allow me
to pull it out without twisting or tangling.
(Coax of RG-58 size or larger generally gets coiled instead, but
with alternating directions so it doesn't get twisted.)
#2 not only makes it easier to carry the antenna for backpacking,
but means that the wires are more flexible, and the supports
don't need to be as heavy, etc. My old backpack dipole kit used
#22 stranded, insulated hookup wire, and that is quite adequate
at 100 watts. Now I'm using #26 in many cases, which is still
good enough. The ropes are sized accordingly... well, somewhat.
While 550 paracord is great stuff for many uses, the 95 paracord
(or even microcord) is quite adequate for antenna use, or any
other thin cord, like mason's twine or fishing line. I do have to
admit, however, that my eyes aren't as good as they were
40 years ago when I originally made up the kit, and I now like a
slightly fatter rope that I can see to untie - at least 1/16 inch or so.
The light antenna reduces stresses on the supports. You don't need
to pull up much tension on the wires, so the end ropes can be tied
off to something as simple as a clump of grass. While I have some
of the 4' military mast sections, I don't need anything
that strong for a dipole. I find 3/4" sectional aluminum tent poles
are quite sufficient (depending on how high I am trying to get it),
and much lighter.
Here in NW Oregon, trees are often convenient for use as antenna
supports. I use a
throwing bucket,
which is simple, works well up to 50-60' or so, and isn't quite as
concerning to other folks enjoying the park as some of the other
options that are sometimes used.
If you aren't used to tying knots that will hold (and that are
easy to untie), then consider
some of the alternativesthat make it easier and faster. (Although learning to tie some
useful knots is a good backup.)
So I'd encourage you to look at what is taking so much time,
and how you can improve it. In my experience, saving setup
time by planning and practice makes a huge difference in
how enjoyable portable operation is. And, especially when
operating QRP, I wouldn't want to take the performance hit
of switching to a loaded vertical, because my improved
ability to make contacts on a dipole will more than make up
for any difference in operating time gained by using a
vertical instead. (But this may vary, depending on the
stations you are working, distances, power level, etc.)