I need ideas

[KC9NRB]

I'm looking at making a multi-band(160,80,40,20) dipole for portable station use. Just something that can be deployed and rapidly and is efficient. I like input on things that work well QRP-100w.

[W8HDU]

To do that wide a range, without traps and tuners, you might want to try a Tilted Terminated Folded Dipole (TTFD).

They are a little inefficient for transmitting, but they work well for matching up across the bands. A little comparison;

My 40 meter dipole, I put a S9 into Detroit, and on the TTFD it was S7.

On 80 meters dipole, S7 into Lexington KY, and S4 with the TTFD.

On 10 meters, no difference.

160, I could only compare a 35' vertical with the TTFD. The vertical worked well on DX, and the TTFD was about 6-9 dB down on transmit. BUT I could hear better off the TTFD. For close in QSOs, it was about the same.

[M3KXZ]

I would say the losses on a TTFD for qrp-100w portable are unacceptable. 2 s points down....that's 12dB! Or in other words, it radiated only 6% of the power that the dipole did toward the same ham.

[PA5COR]

I just made a FD-4 OCF for that, for hollidays in Europe.

Served me well in the last 10 years, made the ends a bit longer so i can adjust the length depending on what ground i have (rock or moist riverland) and the hight i can put it up.

works on 80 up to 6 meters

[KC9NRB]

So would it be better to have something that works 80/75,40,20 better? I would still be able to get on 15 and 12 or is it 17 on the odd harmonics right?

[VK2TIL]

My portable setup is just a random wire thrown into a tree. A similar-length counterpoise is thrown on the ground.

It means that I have to carry a tuner, of course; I usually use a Kenwood AT-230.

I experimented with a set of "ribbon" dipoles but I find the wire easier.

There is portable and there is portable; my TS-430/AT-230 is fine in my campervan but not ideal for hiking.

And yes; 160 is a big "ask" portable; even 80 can be awkward.

[W4CBJ]

A multi-band dipole is a fine idea...but an idea only. While a dipole is cheap, east to built and dang near 100% efficient, a multi-band one is an elusive dream. The additional sections interact with one another and trying to make it work is more difficult than you might image. Anyone achiving this...please let me know than I have been wrong. 73 Joe W4CBJ