Smallest 14MHz portable antenna ?

[anneranch]

I am in planning stage of my "expedition into Oregon wildernesses"
and I need to watch the weigh
of stuff I am packing.
Besides plain dipole, WHAT would be the smallest PORTABLE , Stationary, NO match coupler required, ANTENNA ?
I am not looking for making DXCC in 24 hours, just want to talk....
73 AA7EJ

 

[popnokick]

A Buddistick PRO is going to be high on the list -
The Buddistick PRO™ Portable Multi-Band Vertical Antenna

 

[G7RUX]

I am in planning stage of my "expedition into Oregon wildernesses"
and I need to watch the weigh
of stuff I am packing.
Besides plain dipole, WHAT would be the smallest PORTABLE , Stationary, NO match coupler required, ANTENNA ?
I am not looking for making DXCC in 24 hours, just want to talk....
73 AA7EJ

Definitely pack a 20m isotrope.

 

[anneranch]

AI Overview
Learn more

An isotropic antenna is a theoretical antenna that radiates power equally in all directions. It's a reference standard used in antenna analysis to measure the gain and efficiency of real antennas. In essence, it's an ideal antenna that radiates with uniform intensity across a sphere.

Perhaps AI , with its no nonsense response ( no subjective comments - not in this case) , or with CORRECT technical description - in this case - will eventually improve the quality of amateur radio.

 

[kc2asb]

Too bad Google does not allow for opting out of AI overview.

 

[anneranch]

A Buddistick PRO is going to be high on the list -
The Buddistick PRO™ Portable Multi-Band Vertical Antenna

Does not really fit my spec, besides it is "center loaded " vertical with ONE radial.

Not sure why on u-tuber calls "the wire " it "coounterpoise "


AI Overview
Learn more


In the context of antenna systems, a counterpoise is a network of conductors (like wires or a metal screen) that acts as a substitute for a ground connection. It's used when a conventional earth ground is impractical, difficult to achieve, or when the antenna is elevated above ground. Essentially, the counterpoise provides a return path for radio frequency (RF) current, completing the antenna circuit.

 

[kf8yk]

Elecraft has a few options: Antennas

I've used QRP Guys antennas for SOTA activations, very light & packable especially if you have a nearby tree to toss the wire into with the assistance of a locally sourced rock: Antennas - QRPGuys

The PAR/LNR antenna is another packable end fed wire: Par EndFedz® EFT-10/20/40 Trail Friendly

 

[EAFrizzle]

Best choice for weight and size is going to be a wire dipole spooled up with some lightweight coax. What kind of rig will you be using? I'm assuming a bare-bones type QRP rig since you specified no external transmatch. Any kind of non-loose-wire antenna is going to be objectionable due to size and weight.

If you could find a small, unpowered tuner for QRP, it might be an acceptable trade-off for being able to use other wire antenna setups.

I'm kinda jealous. Have fun out there!

 

[EAFrizzle]

Those wire antennas @kf8yk posted are going to be the lightest and easiest things for one person. I think you already know that pole-shaped things are a PITA in the woods, so you'll be hating a rigid antenna in short order. A slingshot and a small spool of 6# test monofilament will prevent arm injuries from rock-chunking.

 

[popnokick]

Now that we know wire antennas fill the bill, how about this simple End-Fed Halfwave by PRCGUY? -
Wire - Advice for a wire antenna to use while camping

 

[N6JPA]

I am in planning stage of my "expedition into Oregon wildernesses"
and I need to watch the weigh
of stuff I am packing.
Besides plain dipole, WHAT would be the smallest PORTABLE , Stationary, NO match coupler required, ANTENNA ?
I am not looking for making DXCC in 24 hours, just want to talk....
73 AA7EJ

You should get an EFHW antenna system. They have worked well on QRP CW. If you have a stronger power radio then it will work OKAY for Voice.

 

[anneranch]

Thanks for replies.
This is my second trip - my "job" is to serve as volunteer entry point checker ( I call it "check point Charley ")
on Snake river - boat entry point of Hells canyon recreationa area.
It is basically for safety reasons - to keep track of visitors - in case some do not return as scheduled...

I also maintain small visitors center, keep emergency landing strip mowed and clean the bathroom...

Last time I used FT857 and "tuned delta loop " - by tuned I mean using odd length of 75 Ohm coax.
I had help puting it up into some trees.....
( I need to design a SLING SHOT crossbow style - I do not have much stregh in my over 80 years old arm)
I had an access to solar power setup, but not sure if it still runs....the unmaintained batteries were in sad shape then...
( I may need a 32V - solar cells output - to 12V regulator and skip the batteriies.) .

This time I like to field test my WhiteMountain QRP SSB 20 meter rig. Less weight than Ft857 and KISS style.

Now you know "the rest of the story ".

73 AA7EJ

 

[popnokick]

For old guys like me (and many others in our local club) this has been a much simpler and more reliable method than a slingshot or bow and arrow -
Airboss | Olah Technologies

 

[anneranch]

Cool, but I really need something KISS - keep it simple stupid.
For same reason - drone is out of question too...
During one Field Day a felow hoisted 40 meter delta loop support with a help of fishing pole.
In my case GOOD fishing pole would serve dual purpose - after all I am on the Snake river....
But no Popeel pocket fishermen.....they provably no longer make them anyway.
When I lived in WA, on wooded 5 acres, I favored bow and arrow method.
Lost few arrows in the woods and it did not work well on cottonwood - arrow woudl get eaten by the sapp.
PS I own an air pistol...maybe that woud do ???

 

[mass-man]

20 mtr dipole cut for your choice of CW or fone part of the band. . Resonant antennas are better, no tuner needed and can be ligthweight! Heck the sides are only about 16 ft each. As one poster said, handy rock or slingshot and ur up!

 

[kf8yk]

Cool, but I really need something KISS - keep it simple stupid.
For same reason - drone is out of question too...

When operating above the tree line I carry one of these in the 21' version to support an end fed wire antenna:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08DRDL53M?ref=ppx_pop_dt_b_product_details&th=1&psc=1

Collapsed it's small & light enough to strap to the outside of my backpack

 

[merlin]

For old guys like me (and many others in our local club) this has been a much simpler and more reliable method than a slingshot or bow and arrow -
Airboss | Olah Technologies

That is much like the 'potato gun' I used at our cabin. It could shoot a 1 pound sinker a bit over 100 yards, enough to drag a 160 meter half wave wire across a small ravine.

 

[KF0NYL]

The nice thing about a light weight telescoping poe is it can be used free standing in an open field or leaned into a tree.

It's hard to beat an EFHW for simplicity and they can be very light weight. But you will need some type of tuner unless you make a linked EFHW for the different bands.

A good light weight dipole will work also. They can be used horizontal, vertical or as a sloper. A link dipole won't need a tuner either.

There are plenty of options. Look at different POTA and SOTA websites for ideas.