Portable HF vertical antennas

[AK7V]

Does anyone have one of these? #What do you think?

When I go out to the park with my QRP radio, I take a piece of wire about 50 feet long and put it in a tree - usually L shaped or maybe zig-zagged a bit. #I put a couple shorter ones on the ground to work as a counterpoise. #I also have a doublet made of twin lead that I put up if I have more time. #My rig has a tuner and balun and I get good results on several bands with these antennas.

I've been eyeing these small, portable verticals. #I imagine they won't hear as well as a longer wire in a tree, and their radiation angle will be lower. #Overall, how well do they work? #Has anyone tried one and then tried a simple wire and compared their efficacy? #Will I find that my simple wire antenna outperforms the $100+ vertical?

[kg4llq]

Well, an old sage has said, about antennas this:
1. #Any antenna is better than none.
2. #A home-brew antenna is better than a "store bought" one.
I operate with a "Flag Pole" vertical I got 3 years ago from Force 12. #It cost me about $150 and a couple of hours to set in concrete, connect radials and get on the air. #It performs very well to my satisfaction. #
You could, as you know, spend several hundreds of dollars on a "store bought" QRP antenna but I doubt they'd perform any better than what you're operating with now.
Also, if you want to erect a compact antenna, consider the St. Louis Vertical. #It's a home-brew rig based on a 20 ft long non-metalic, extendable crappie fishing pole. #It's fun to build, works well and can be erected with out any supports of any kind.
73, and keep on QSO-ing!!!
Ken

[G0GQK]

Yes. You will find that your simple wire will hear more.

G0GQK

[K6BTM]

Quote[/b] (AK7V @ Nov. 16 2005,13:04)].... I imagine they won't hear as well as a longer wire in a tree, and their radiation angle will be lower...
...Will I find that my simple wire antenna outperforms the $100+ vertical?
Verticals are very ground plane dependant. Lower radiation angle ? With a "perfect" ground plane... sure. Plan on laying out MANY radials.
Stick with the wire. YMMV