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Optimizing antenna portability for QRP field operations often involves trade-offs between efficiency and physical footprint. The PAC-12 antenna project addresses this by presenting a **multi-band portable vertical** design, specifically tailored for amateur radio operators who travel frequently and utilize compact QRP transceivers like the Elecraft K1/K2 or Yaesu FT-817. This design emphasizes ease of homebrewing using readily available hardware store components, allowing for customizability and repair in the field. The project details the construction of a sectional aluminum rod base, interchangeable loading coils for various HF bands, and a telescoping whip. Key components include 1/4-inch aluminum rod, PVC risers for coil forms, and a BNC feedpoint insulator. The design prioritizes a breakdown length of 12 inches or less, making it highly packable for travel, while still achieving competitive efficiency, as demonstrated by its first-place finish in the HFPack antenna shootout at Pacificon 2001 against a 1/4-wavelength wire vertical. Comprehensive instructions cover whip preparation, **loading coil construction** with specific dimensions for bands from 40m to 10m (with an untested 80m approximation), base section fabrication, and feedpoint insulator assembly. The resource also includes guidance on radial deployment, threading aluminum rod, and showcases various PAC-12 builds by NJQRP Club members, illustrating its adaptability and widespread adoption among QRP enthusiasts.

Build the PAC-12 Antenna a multi-band portable vertical designed by KA5DVS, here's an award-winning, easy-to-homebrew, multi-band portable vertical antenna designed by long-time antenna aficionado James Bennett, KA5DVS. He's documented the design and construction plans for a portable antenna

A multi-band portable vertical antenna can be built with relatively ordinary components obtained from the local hardware store, including replaceable loading coils

A Multiband Slinky Coil for the PAC-12 portable Antenna, can be used also as a dual PAC-12 dipole by James Bennett

The PAC-12 Antenna, a multi-band portable vertical, is meticulously detailed in this construction article by James Bennett, _KA5DVS_. The design emphasizes ease of homebrewing using readily available components from local hardware stores, including replaceable loading coils. It outlines the preparation of the 72-inch telescoping whip (originally from Radio Shack, with an alternate source now provided by _Pacific Antenna_), the construction of the loading coils from PVC risers, and the fabrication of the aluminum rod base sections. Specific instructions cover threading aluminum rod with a _1/4-20 threading die_ and assembling the feedpoint insulator with a BNC connector, along with recommendations for radial deployment. KA5DVS, an avid traveler and QRP enthusiast, developed the PAC-12 to address the bulkiness of random wire setups and the limitations of commercial portable antennas like the Outbacker or SuperAntennas MP1. His goal was a lightweight, packable antenna that disassembles into 12-inch sections, achieving an assembled length of approximately 8 feet. The design strategically places the loading coil away from the base for improved efficiency. The PAC-12 notably placed first in efficiency compared to a quarter-wavelength wire vertical at the HFPack antenna shootout during the Pacificon conference in October 2001, demonstrating its practical performance for field operations. Appendix C showcases various _NJQRP Club_ members' PAC-12 constructions, including a 20m beam made with multiple PAC-12 elements.