LICW Antenna
Build-A-Thon
QRPGuys Mini No Tune End Fed Half Wave Antenna is designed as a mini highly portable 80m-10m end fed half wave wire antenna, easily set up as an inverted V, horizontal, sloper, or in the case of higher frequencies, a vertical radiator. Your feed line is essentially the counterpoise, so a separate one is not necessary if you want to keep weight down. The high impedance, half wave wire is matched to your 50 ohm feed point by an integral impedance matching toroid transformer, and rated is at 10 watts. The SWR is further broadened and lowered across 80m-10m with a high voltage capacitor on the primary of the transformer using band specific radiator lengths. It is designed to use without a tuner and give an SWR of ≤1.2 for any portion of the band after optimizing the driven element. Our tests have been favorable for ≤2.0 SWR or better for the entire band, except 80m, which can be optimized for the upper or lower portion of the band. The user supplies the 1/2λ wire for attachment to the captive S.S. and brass hardware. A BNC female connector is supplied for connection to your radio. Case size is 2.00″ x 1.38″ (50.8mm x 35mm). Weight without the user supplied wire is 1.57 oz. (44.5g). On a scale of 1 to 5, this kit is rated at 2 or 3 depending on your experience.
I purchased the kit, wire and cable and printed the directions for the "QRPGuys Mini 80m-10m No Tune End Fed Half Wave Antenna" build-a-thon. I have no porrtable CW radio to use with it(unless I drug up my IC-7300 😲) but it will be fun to build. One day perhaps I can get or build a small CW rig for mobile use. I also would like to pick up a plastic Protective Case from Harbor Freight for a ham radio go kit. I will need a radio to use it with first though. https://groups.io/g/LongIslandCWClub/topic/74457415#815
A inexpensive option for a telescoping antenna pole Panghuhu88 Spinning Rod,Telescopic Fishing Rod,Ultra-Light Carp Fishing Pole for Travel Surf Saltwater Freshwater Boat Fishing 24FT. Perhaps could use some PVC pipe as well into what ever leingths i choose for storage. Or just use a tree.
May 30, 2020 - Received my 100 feet of antenna wire ($7.44)and 25' counterpoise cable.
June 1, 2020 I received the kit itself and assembled all the parts in one place.
July 11, 2020 at 9am PDT/12pm EDT is the date and time we assembled the build on Zoom.
June 1, 2020 I received the kit itself. Sitting next to my plastic paddle key.
Variable Ratio End Fed Half Wave Antenna 49-1 / 56-1 / 64-1 windings PLUS 70 ft Wire
v3 Improvements; Additional, larger attachment holes, Improved ground/counterpoise connections, Updates to improve manufacturability, Complete End Fed Half Wave HF Portable 'Switch' Antenna Package Incl. Wire. Fully Assembled Variable Ratio End Fed Halfwave HF Portable antenna. No other company is making this design antenna. The ultimate in flexibility for remote operations., Custom made PCB, Female BNC feed point connector, Inductance ratio selectable from 49:1 / 56:1 / 64:1, 140-43 Toroid, 60w SSB, SWR ~1.1 - 1.7. Resonant on 40m - 20m - 10m with 67' antenna wire (70ft INCLUDED) *Tunable on 17/15m, (3) Gold bullet connections for optional counterpoise wires, 70ft of 26ga Antenna wire, Custom wire winder, Attachment carabiner X-Tenna Faqs
Includes; 40m - 20 - 10m fully assembled and tested antenna, (3) 2.0mm gold plated male bullet connectors (for optional counterpoise), (70ft) 26ga Antenna wire, Custom antenna wire winder, Wire attachment carabiner, This is an efficient, low cost, lightweight antenna for any aspiring or seasoned Amateur Radio Enthusiast to use in a portable setting such as Parks on the Air (POTA), Summits on the Air (SOTA) or out camping/backpacking.
I wish I could keep it to around $100 and be assembled. I know I am not up to the scale of the transceiver kits available such as at QRPGuys. After some spreadsheet research(Feb. 2023) I find I like the Penntek TR-35 but it is more than I want to spend. The Venus SW-3B is probably more realistic.
