Search results

This end fed type of antenna was marketted in the UK and is a useful system for the portable set-up. Being a half wave, no radials or counterpose wires are needed.

A Portable Low Frequency Antenna Analyzer, For those of us who like to play with antennas on the ham bands, one of the handiest tools to have around the shack is an "antenna analyzer". These gadgets combine a signal generator and standing-wave ratio (SWR) sensor in a small battery-powered unit.

Notes on bazooka antennas by Katunk: a portable field antenna, sometimes called the double bazooka or a coaxial antenna.

A Portable VHF-UHF Roll-up J-pole Antennam that resonates on both bands but actually performs as a half wave radiator on both bands

A small antenna for 2m and 70cm

Hand held portable, 6 meters and satellite antennas

This is a collection of articles, generally from QRP-L, about QRP operations and portable antennas. However, anything that looks interesting to me might end up here. These articles are posted here primarily for my own use; however, all are free to browse.

A vertical monoband that's small, light and portable, needs no counterpoise and performs as well as a home antenna

End-Fed Half-Wave Antennas (EFHWAs) are analyzed for their utility in portable QRP operations, emphasizing their simplicity, efficiency, and predictable radiation patterns compared to other portable antenna types. The discussion contrasts EFHWAs with vertical antennas, random length wires, and center-fed dipoles, highlighting the common pitfalls of each, such as ground system dependency for verticals and feedline issues for dipoles. The article details the electrical half-wavelength calculation using the formula L (Ft) = 468/F(MHz) and explains how EFHWAs can be resonant on harmonic frequencies, enabling multiband operation. Various deployment configurations are presented, including the inverted L, inverted Vee, sloping wire, and vertical setups, each with specific advantages for radiation angle and polarization. For instance, a vertical EFHWA offers a low angle of radiation suitable for DX contacts without requiring an extensive ground system. The resource also addresses the counterpoise requirements, suggesting a quarter-wavelength wire or connection to a metallic structure for decoupling. A schematic diagram for a simple parallel-tuned circuit tuner, based on the _Rainbow Bridge/Tuner_ design, is provided, detailing component values for 30 and 40 meters, including a 6 microhenry toroidal inductor and a 20-100 picofarad mica compression capacitor. The tuner's adjustment process for SWR matching is also outlined.

Portable Vertical Antenna for 75m and 40m featuring Low radiation angle for DX, easy to install and to match 50 ohms

The Buddipole is a hi-tech, take-apart dipole designed for HF portable operations. The antenna uses a multi-band adjustable coil for all bands 40m - 2m.

An easy to build moxon antenna for portable use. A Moxon Rectangle is a two element beam, where both elements are folded towards eachother.

Tunes symmetric/coax/longwire antenna's between 1.8-50MHz

Arrow-Style VHF/UHF portable satellite antenna by VE2ZAZ

G8ODE antenna project, where the 40m & Short 80m antenna was deployed as a sloping wire antenna using the 10M fibre glass fishing pole and a hook on the house's gutter-board

The best way to describe a go-box is a complete amateur radio station in a box. An example is described in this article. The project describes building a portable amateur (ham) radio station, known as a "go-box," housed in a durable orange Pelican case. The go-box contains all necessary radio equipment except for external power and antennae, which are carried separately. It includes items like a Yaesu transceiver, power supply, antenna tuner, speaker, and a clock. The case is designed for mobility and visibility, with a vertical layout to allow in-vehicle operation. Future upgrades might include cooling fans, an LED lamp, and built-in antennae for better functionality in various conditions.

The octoloop antenna is a length of 25 pair telephone wire inside an octagonal loop shield of 3/4 hard copper pipe

A suitable high gain 70cms antenna for SOTA operation was sought that did not have the drawbacks of a long Yagi antenna, principally a narrow beamwidth and bandwidth.

The Arrow Antenna is a design classic: it combines light weight, compact design and functionality in a single package for operating FM dual band satellites such as AO-27, UO-14, SO-41 and SO-50

A Versatile Innovative Portable Multi-band Tunable Antenna can work HF VHF and UHF ideal as portable or balcony antenna

The Emtech ZM-2 Antenna Tuner is a nifty little portable transmatch for QRP (low power). It utilizes the well-known Z-match circuit, which is especially useful for balanced antennas (like dipoles and loops).

Ideal for QRP operations on 10 meters band in french

The document details the optimization and construction of the _Maria Maluca_ antenna, a compact 6-band (20m-6m) directional beam. It presents a comparative analysis of shortwave antenna principles, highlighting the efficiency gains achieved by using an open feeder line and tuner as a resonant unit, contrasting this with the losses associated with traps or capacitive loads in multiband antennas. The resource specifically revisits an older South American 2-element design for 10, 15, and 20 meters, applying modern NEC-based software to develop a six-band version. Performance data is meticulously tabulated, showing impedance, free space gain, gain at 12m height, elevation angle, and front-to-back (F/B) ratio for each band from 20m through 6m. For instance, on 15m, the antenna achieves 5.1 dBd free space gain and 13.72 dB F/B ratio. The construction section provides practical guidance on element assembly using aluminum pipes and hose clamps, detailing the use of a heavy-duty glass fiber reinforced polyamide rod for electrical separation and bending strength. It also specifies the use of 450-ohm _Wireman_ line CQ 552 for the transmission line. The document includes diagrams for rod fixing, an air-wound balun, and a vertical elevation diagram for the 15m band, illustrating its DX qualification. It also discusses the antenna's suitability for portable and expedition operations, noting its compact transport dimensions (max 1.50m length, 12 lb weight) and quick assembly time (under 15 minutes). The author, Dipl.Ing. Helmut Oeller, DC6NY, is identified as a source for material kits.

A portable dualband dipole robust and compact antenna usable for horizontal and vertical polarisation by ON6MU

Transporting Yaesu FT-817 along with antennas and other accessories.

The Chameleon V1 HF Multiband Antenna is a mobile antenna that can also be used as portable. Lightweight mil whip antenna system with 10 BANDS capability 6m, 10m, 12m, 15m, 17m, 20m, 30m, 40m, 60m & 80m.

This 2 meter 3 element cubical quad antenna is small, light weight and portable. A backpack antenna that is easy to put together in just minutes and parts store inside the boom making it ready for travel or storage.

How to make a loading coil for the AD5X portable vertical antenna

An homemade portable vertical antenna with a trap near the mid point of the main element. The trap is made with 42mm diameter PVC pipe with 9 turns of wire on it

A project for a portable antenna for amateur radio satellite reception, for 2 meters and 70 centimeters bands

Excel sheet containing technical comparisons of commercial HF portable antennas compiled by ON4SKY. Includes pictures, manufacturer, db gain, band coverage, F/B ratio, price, weight and dimensions.

Presents the design and construction of the OK2FJ Bigatas, a portable, automatically tuned vertical antenna covering 80 through 10 meters. It details two distinct control systems: one utilizing BCD band data from Yaesu FT-857/897 transceivers, and another employing voltage level sensing for the Yaesu FT-817. The resource provides specific instructions for building the antenna's radiating element, loading coil with switchable taps, and the control circuitry, emphasizing the use of readily available components. The article outlines the physical construction of the antenna, including the use of duralumin tubes for the radiator and a PVC tube for the coil form. It specifies coil winding details, tap points, and the integration of radial wires for ground plane operation. The control electronics section provides schematics and component lists for both the BCD decoder (using a 74LS42 IC) and the voltage comparator (using an _LM3914_ bargraph driver), enabling rapid, automatic band switching without the minute-long tuning delays common in other systems. Crucially, the antenna achieves rapid band changes, with typical SWR values centered on common operating segments, such as **3.7 MHz** for 80m SSB. It also discusses modifications for CW operation on 80m and the trade-offs between antenna efficiency and full-range automatic tuning on higher HF bands, where manual adjustment of radiator length is suggested for optimal performance on 15m, 12m, and 10m. The resource includes construction photos and a discussion of cable requirements for reliable operation.

A simple base loaded quarter wave vertical, which can be used on a car or portable by G3YCC

A multi-band inverted-V dipole for portable operation by GM3VLB

30/17/12 and 20/15/10-Meter Tribanders and a 40 meters inverted V wire yagi antenna

144 Mhz portable 4 elements quand antenna by N1LO

Telescopic antenna mast for portable usage by PE1OPM

A portable VHF home-made Yagi-Uda antenna, that is extremely easy to build and very cheap. Moreover this antenna, while dismounted is just 1 meter long, and the total weight is just 100 grams.

The following are the opinions expressed by various amateurs

The no counterpoise antenna

A NorCal Project A Crappie, not crappy, portable antenna

Simple, inexpensive and lots of fun! Here is an easy to make home brew antenna that can get you on the air working satellites or be built for use as a portable hand held antenna to extend the range of your HT.

This note describes a relatively small, but efficient, loop antenna initially created for portable operation. With suitable modifications, it can be adapted for fixed station use. In this age of CC&Rs, an antenna similar to this may very well be the answer to your problems. Have a look, be inspired, get out the torch / soldering iron and create your own version!

A quick vertical for 160 meters portable use

A 3.5 Mhz top loaded vertical antenna built using 2 elevated radials by DJ9RB

A small portable antenna tuner for HF and VHF bands by ON6MU

Portable magnetic loop antennas - G4TPH Mag-loop antennas Reviewed in PW and RadCOM, Both QRP and QRO, Portable. The only Magloop on the market that is fully portable

An 87ft inverted L portable antenna working on 80 40 30 20 15 meters band

A portable 4 elements quad antenna for 144 MHz, 9 to 10 DBd forward gain, 30 DB front-to-back ratio, and 33 DB front-to-side ratio

Outbacker mobile and portable antenna systems are slim line, highly efficient, single whip multi bond antennas for vehicular and limited space portable applications.