--- In FT817@y..., julian@t... wrote:
That URL should be , I think.
It's a neat idea and I've saved the page for further study. But if
you're prepared to carry a mast that big around would you lose
anything by simply using it to support a thin wire inverted V or
other type of wire-based antenna, which would be lighter?
Julian, G4ILO
Hi Julian,
This discussion is getting better and better. OK I have seen and
corrected the URL in another message. Tks anyway.
As for the wire element dipole, although it might be lighter, you
cannot hang it on bushes and still work as good as a taller mast. OK
if there are plenty of tall trees around, then a wire dipole is the
best antenna, but if you walk on a mountain that has few trees, then
the W3FF portable dipole is very good because it needs a single
mounting point and it can at least be kept 3 - 6 meters above ground.
Also if you have a light mast you can operate while walking, although
the whole structure is big, but nevertheless operative. (Hmm better
keep away from the men in white suits, hi hi hi!!!). Another reason
for using it with a mast is that you can handle the dipole as a
sloper or even as a vertical dipole (well nearly). Overall it is a
better performer than a whip vertical, but of course the whip is much
lighter and if one uses a trailing counterpoise, it is nearly as a
vertical dipole, but with all the limitations we both know!
(fluctuating SWR as we walk etc). The handheld dipole does not have
these problems at all.
I always try to carry in my bag a thin wire dipole, such as a half
version of Bonnie`s MINIBAC and whenever possible I hang it between 2
tall trees and tune it with my ZM-2. I have only used it once though
because at the moment I am more interested in Pedestrian Mobile
operation (walking portable) than stationary portable operation.
I also carry my ATX, which is permanently strapped on the FT-871`s
carry case, because it makes a perfect and lightweight emergency set
and I have worked with it quite a bit of NVIS (by holding the ATX
nearly horizontal with a counterpoise), i.e. on 40m I have talked to
Crete, and the South of Greece and even to the North covering
distances of about 400~700kms and got a 5-7 most of the time. I even
got 5-5 my a mobile station in the South of Greece. I also talked to
Europe and got 5-4, and 5-7 on 21 and 28 MHZ. Unfortunatelly no DX
with the ATX yet, but I have not tried enough maybe only once I tried
New Zealand and I could not be heard but when I changed to the MP-1 I
managed the QSO. Also once I called some Japanese stations on 10
meters from the top of Mt. Ymittos, but no joy. Since the I gave up
on using the ATX for DX.
That is all for now Julian and I must tell you again that I do enjoy
this thread. I think it is very constructive.
73 de Demetre SV1UY
