Venkata, I'm also new to this as well. What I have been using is very close to the MFJ 1979, its a 17ft whip sold by Wolf river coils. They sell the whip, plus several mounting options. I have their large tripod set up. They
also have a coil they make that you can put under the whip antenna for 40 meters.
The whip antenna, large tripod, shorty 40 coil and Radial Kit was about $150 shipped. This will give you 10 - 40 meters. It takes me 10 minutes at most to set up that antenna, lay out the radials, and run the coax.
Note even using the large tripod i suggest you get some tent stakes to hold the tripod in place. With out the stakes the wind blow it over once and thats an easy way to break the whip antenna.
The one down side to this antenna is you have to adjust the length for each band you want to use. So if you set it up for 20 meters (fully extended) and then decide you want to work 15meter you have to go out and shorten the whip and check the SWR for that
new length. Here are the lengths for each band,
20 meter 204 inch’s
17 meter 159 inchs
15 meter 134 inchs
12 meter 120 inchs
10 meter 101 inchs
For Coax I suggest ARB as they are local (off 290) The ARB240 cable would be a great option for you. You can even get it in different colors.
http://www.wolfrivercoils.com
https://www.amazon.com/JFOUTU-8pc-Pack-Galvanized-Fluorescent-Pitching/dp/B09JBFJ1MW/ref=sr_1_14?crid=1HPPIW1BGK3NL&keywords=tent+stakes&qid=1691383446&sprefix=tent%2Caps%2C190&sr=8-14
Note when using the whip antenna, you will need a way to check the SWR to ensure you have the antenna at the correct length. Yes I check it every time I set up my antenna. For this I use a Nano VNA. This is about the lowest cost way to check you SWR and
it does other things as well. R & L electronics is the best place to get a Nano VNA. When I said I can set up my whip in 10 minutes that includes checking the SWR with my NANO VNA.
https://www2.randl.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=15_8620&products_id=75145
Im in Oregon now, using this set up with my DX-FT10 radio. I have reached from AK to FL on voice and all over the world with FT8. Thats with just owning my radio for a month now.
Let me know if you have any questions?
Rudy Ackerman
KF5QYG
On Sunday, August 6, 2023 at 06:21:21 PM PDT, Venkata Appala via BVARC <bvarc@bvarc.org> wrote:
Hello all,
I am working on setting up a temporary HF antenna that I can setup or take down when not in use. For this, I am exploring MFJ 1979 telescope antenna. I am not sure if this is the right choice yet. My idea was to use some mount(yet to figure this out) in the
backyard, run the cable inside the home when I want to use HF. In addition, when I am visiting some park, planning to mount if using some mag mount. I don’t have much of a backyard and wanted to see if this antenna can be used at home and when I am visiting
places. With this info, I have few questions. Please bear with me as I am absolutely new to Ham and might ask dumb questions. While reading, one thing I realized is that, the antenna depends on the bands I wish to use. Well, at the moment, I want to start
with something that can get me on air for commonly used frequencies where I can listen in and learn how to use the radio. At the moment, all I have is a HF transceiver with builtin tuner.
1) Is 1979 a good antenna? It appears it is around $70 and I am assuming this can get me started without breaking any bank.
2) Coax…looking at the options, this seems like a candy store and I can’t figure out which one. I am guessing something around 50 ft in length might work and my limited research shows LMR 240 might be good option. Is this true or should I find a better alternative?
3) Any suggestions on mounts for the antenna that I can use in the backyard?
Ps: Thank you to Ed and Richard for pointing me in the right direction at Fulshear farmer’s market. I am also researching on end fed antenna but this will be a build/diy project.
Thank you for all the guidance and suggestions.
73
Venkata Appala KJ5BVS
pradhan...@gmail.com
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