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From: Carl Bostek (no email)
Date: Sat May 19 2007 - 12:48:02 EDT
Here's another option for a dipole antenna: the Collins Portable Dipole.
This dipole is calibrated and useable from 3 to 30 MHz. It is especially useful on unstayed
sailboats as it can be hoisted to the masthead and forms an inverted vee antenna. And the
design makes it perfect as an emergency replacement antenna that can be easily stowed
until needed.
The disadvantage of this antenna is that it is impractical to deploy underway.
This antenna is only available as military surplus on the used market. Here's an ad I just
found <http://www.eham.net/classifieds/detail/222155>. I've seen them for less.
There is also a similar design antenna in production for the amateur market that is still in
production, but I can't recall the name of it.
The Outbacker has a very good reputation, and it performs very well at or above 14 MHz. I
gave it serious consideration, but decided on the Hi-Q tuneable dipole since it provides
excellent performance from 2 MHz to 30 MHz. This antenna has a built in motorized
tuneable coil and can be tuned easily from the nav station. Because it has a built in tuning
coil you don't have to buy a separate antenna tuner that takes up more room at the nav
station. In addition, it is mil-spec and will handle the marine environment.
Here's a link to some reviews of this antenna: http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/3599
If my boat had stayed masts I probably would have simply gone with an insulated backstay
antenna as my primary. But I would still have bought a portable vertical for use in case I
was ever dismasted. If all you have is a backstay antenna, you'll be up the proverbial creek
if you loose your mast. And that may be a time when you really need HF communications!
Cheers,
Carl
www.svaphrodite.bostekanesthesia.com
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