Whether you¡¯re a seasoned
ham or buying your first
antenna, choosing the right
one is more about how you
operate as an individual and
less about the antenna¡¯s
capabilities. ,
I¡¯ve explored field antennas
and the decision-making
process behind choosing the
right one. I believe that a
practical understanding of
your operating style is key
to making the best choice.
This article is about
vertical
antennas¡ªspecifically, those
designed to be portable and
stealthy. These antennas are
ideal for field operations
like POTA, SOTA, or IOTA,
and for those living under
HOA restrictions that
prohibit permanent antennas.
(Image/Thomas
Witherspoon, K4SWL)
There are hundreds of
vertical antennas on the
market, and it¡¯s beyond the
scope of this post to cover
them all. Instead, I¡¯ll
focus on three models I¡¯ve
personally used, each
representing different
concepts and reasons why you
might choose one over
another.
All of these antennas are
multi-band, and while some
can be installed permanently
with proper sealing, they
are primarily designed with
portability and ease of
setup in mind.
Before diving into the
specifics, consider these
questions as you search for
your next antenna:
What modes and
power levels do you
intend to operate?
Ensure your antenna can
handle the wattage and
duty cycle of your chosen
mode (SSB, CW, Digital).
For example, an antenna
that handles 100 watts SSB
may not be suitable for
100 watts FT8.
What bands do
you plan to operate?
Confirm that the antenna
covers your preferred
bands. Portable verticals
are effective on 20 meters
and above but become less
efficient at lower
frequencies due to the
need for loading coils to
electrically lengthen the
radiating element. This
compromises performance
and decreases operating
bandwidth. However, I¡¯ve
had great success on 80
meters with some portable
verticals, though they are
less efficient compared to
longer wire antennas.
How far do you
plan to hike with this
antenna? Check
the specifications for
weight and element
lengths, as these factors
will impact your comfort
and the feasibility of
carrying it in your pack.
How important is
frequency agility?
If you primarily operate
FT8 and stay on one
frequency for extended
periods, any antenna will
likely suffice. If you
frequently move across
bands to chase activators
or DX, consider an antenna
that doesn¡¯t require
manual tuning.
***
Three Types of
Portable Verticals
Here are three vertical
antennas I¡¯ve used in the
field, along with their pros
and cons:
***
1.
Quarter Wave Verticals
One of the simplest
vertical antennas is the
quarter wave. My first
quarter wave antenna was a
5-meter radiator wire
(one-quarter the length of
20 meters) with four
counterpoise wires on the
ground. I attached the
radiator to the center of my
coax and the counterpoises
to the shield. I¡¯ve deployed
the radiator vertically in a
tree (great for permanent
setups) and supported it
with a fiberglass
telescoping fishing pole
(ideal for portable use).
While these antennas are
simple to build, I prefer an
antenna that works on
multiple bands and is easy
to deploy and pack. This is
why I¡¯m a big fan of the .
The MC-750 is a portable
vertical deployed using
either a stainless ground
spike or a tripod. The
vertical element is a
stainless steel whip with
silk-screen markings that
help you deploy the antenna
for resonance on multiple
bands.
(Image/Thomas
Witherspoon, K4SWL)
When I follow the
silk-screen markings and all
four counterpoise wires
(attached to the base), I
consistently achieve a near
1:1 SWR. Thus, no ATU is
needed. The SWR remains
consistent across various
topographies.
The
Chelegance MC-750 comes
with jacks to install four
included preassembled
counterpoise radials.
(Image/Thomas Witherspoon,
K4SWL)Chelegance
MC-750 carrying case
(Image/Thomas Witherspoon,
K4SWL)
The MC-750 ships with a
coil for 40 meters.
Chelegance also offers an
optional
as well.
Pros:
Easy deployment, high
quality, efficient,
multi-band use with no ATU
needed, resonates on 20-10
meters and 40/80 meters
with coils, comes with a
custom padded carrying
case.
Cons:
Not truly a con, but you
must adjust the whip
length when changing bands
if not using an ATU.
***
2.
Verticals with
Transformers
Chameleon
CHA MPAS Lite Modular
Portable Antenna
(Image/Thomas Witherspoon,
K4SWL)
If you regularly use an
antenna tuner in the field,
you might prefer a
high-quality multi-band
vertical antenna equipped
with a transformer to reduce
potentially high impedances
to a level manageable by
most tuners. I think of this
type of antenna as the
vertical equivalent of a
random wire antenna. Many of
my QRP transceivers have
internal ATUs, making this
type of antenna very
appealing. The one I have
the most experience with is
the .
Like the MC-750, the MPAS
Lite uses a stainless steel
whip but includes a
transformer at the base,
making it easier to match
the antenna across multiple
bands with virtually any
ATU. Additionally, it can
operate on lower bands,
including 80 meters, without
needing a loading coil
attached. While not as
efficient below 30 meters,
it remains highly effective
for both POTA and SOTA where
you are often the DX.
The MPAS Lite offers
excellent frequency agility,
which is a major advantage
if you frequently hunt or
chase other stations in the
field. Just change the
frequency, activate the ATU,
and you¡¯re set.
(Image/Thomas
Witherspoon, K4SWL)
The MPAS antenna can also
be configured as an end-fed
random wire using the
counterpoise wire. Consult
the MPAS Lite manual for
multiple configurations.
Pros:
Easy deployment, high
quality, multi-band use,
frequency agility, only
one counterpoise,
versatile platform for
multiple antenna
configurations.
Cons:
Pricier than the MC-750.
***
3.
Loading Coil Verticals
I¡¯ve used several antennas
with helically wound coils
and a sliding tuning coupler
at the base to match the
antenna across multiple
bands. The coil at the base
shortens the antenna
electrically, making it
portable and low
profile¡ªideal for stealthy
use or in neighborhoods with
aggressive HOA restrictions.
Among the many coil
antennas available, the new
stands out for its
robustness. I was impressed
with its ease of setup, high
quality, and smooth tuning
coupler. The REZ Ranger 80
antenna also handles higher
power than other coil
systems¡ª100 watts CW/digital
and 200 watts SSB.
REZ
Antenna Systems Ranger 80
HF Portable Antenna System
(Image/Thomas Witherspoon,
K4SWL)(Image/Thomas
Witherspoon, K4SWL)
The Ranger 80 is quick to
deploy and incredibly
durable. While I¡¯ve never
been a big fan of verticals
with loading coils and
sliding tuning couplers, as
they can be finicky to tune,
I found the REZ Ranger 80 to
be the best of the bunch and
more forgiving than others
I¡¯ve used.
(Image/Thomas
Witherspoon, K4SWL)
Pros:
Easy deployment, superb
quality, higher power
handling capacity,
multi-band resonance, no
ATU required.
Cons:
Heavier than other
options, tuning coupler
needs adjustment for each
band change, pricey.
***
Summary
Choosing
is more about matching your
equipment to your specific
operating style than simply
selecting the most capable
model. Whether you
prioritize ease of
deployment, frequency
agility, or power handling,
the antennas discussed¡ªlike
the Chelegance MC-750,
Chameleon CHA MPAS Lite, and
the REZ Ranger 80¡ªoffer
distinct advantages that
cater to different needs.
Before making your
decision, consider the
nature of your operations.
Are you regularly chasing
signals across multiple
bands, or do you prefer to
set up and stay on one
frequency? Do you need a
lightweight, portable
solution for long hikes, or
are you more concerned with
stealth and ease of use in
restricted environments?
Your answers will guide you
to the right antenna.
Ultimately, the best
antenna is the one that
enhances your enjoyment of
the hobby, allowing you to
operate confidently and
efficiently in your chosen
environment. If possible,
try before you buy¡ªborrowing
from friends or club members
can provide valuable
insights that specs alone
can¡¯t offer.
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