Interesting Portable HF Anntenna - TW Antenna

[Moleculo]

Lately I tend to be interested in portable type antennas that I can setup fairly easy in a campground or other location. Many RV or pay camp sites will not allow you to put wire up in trees, so you need some type of free standing antenna. I've been using the BuddiPole system for a little while and have enjoyed that antenna, although it does have some limitations.

The other day I stumbled across the interesting portable vertical dipole HF antenna from TW Antennas. These antennas are fairly small antennas covering 10-20 meters and they also have a 40m option:

These antennas also apparently have gain on 2m and 440 with SWR < 1.5:1. They can handle 1200 watts PEP.

The antenna uses a remote switching or manual matching-system-in-a-box mounted in the center of the vertical dipole array: (remote switching shown):

Apparently this antenna has a fairly low take-off angle, although I haven't seen any antenna models to support the claim. If so, that should provide for better long range contacts than other portable antennas that tend to radiate in a more vertical pattern.

The cost of this antenna will run you close to $500 by the time you purchase the elements, control box, and stand. That puts it right in the price range of several of its competitors.

Have you tried one of these antennas or have any experience with them? If so, let's hear about it!

 

[TonyV225]

I to have been on a portable antenna kick and quest so dont deel alone Tim. I have been finding some really cool products along this search that Im on. These antennas are very interesting and Im gonna do a bit more research on this particular line and may have to purchase one for field day.

 

[Moleculo]

I to have been on a portable antenna kick and quest so dont deel alone Tim. I have been finding some really cool products along this search that Im on.

If you wouldn't mind, start a new thread on portable antennas and let us know which ones you've been looking at and any impressions on what you've found so far?

 

[The DB]

A local ham uses an antenna like that. He lives in an antenna restricted community and uses it often. He has talked the world with it. Plus it folds up and fits in a gym sized bag for easy transport and use elsewhere.


The DB

 

[FatHam]

Lately I tend to be interested in portable type antennas that I can setup fairly easy in a campground or other location. Many RV or pay camp sites will not allow you to put wire up in trees, so you need some type of free standing antenna.

Well the good news is, the colors seem to match Jen's "glamping" theme. Maybe you can add some cord/rope and convince her they're good for drying clothes & wet towels as well?

 

[binrat]

80 metre version would be nice.

 

[northern35s]

It's a short, inductive and capacitive loaded, dipole by the looks of it, I doubt it's radiation pattern is much different from any other ground mounted vertical antenna, I think it is expensive for what it is, I'm always concerned when an antenna manufacturer specifies a length of coax that is "highly recommended", 65' for their TW2010 model, myself I'd prefer a Buddipole

 

[W5LZ]

Sorry, that antenna isn't going to have a low TOA, only negative gain on HF, and will be less efficient than several mobile HF antennas. Unless it was a choice of it or nothing, I'm not too sure I'd use it. Especially at it's advertised price!
No, I don't have one, don't know of anyone who does.
- 'Doc