Long Wire for the HF win!

I have a Yagi, but it doesn’t always cover the bands I want then I am operating. I’ve worked on setting up a Folded Dipole that lets me operate all the way down to 3.5 Mhz. I’m on a small lot so that may be it, but trying to get it a little longer down to 160 Meters. When the weather gets better, right?

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Real hams put up antennas in the winter, hi hi!

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Can we compromise on spring? Though I need to help @N0WRL with some lines before his trees blossom. I found a nice end fed antenna for him.

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If I could find the right portable antenna, I might have to think about a portable HF rig this year. My Icom IC-746 has been in storage since I moved, and it’s nowhere portable. I’ve had fun on a 10-meter handheld once in a while, but the conditions have to be just oh-so-right!

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I really like my BuddiePole to operate portable. It’s only let me down once and that was because of a stray wind gust that broke an element. I also need to think about a smaller radio. I’ve had a Yaseu 817 and a Elecraft KX3 but I like to bring a little more power to the game. It might be time to start shopping again.

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That might be a possible antenna for me. I’ve looked at it before. For the radio, I still have my eyes on an IC-705, only because it literally can run off what essentially is an HT battery and I’m OK running QRP from the field.

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I use a jackery explorer 240 with my ic-705 and laptop, dont forget the 705 drops to 5w in its internal battery

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Running QRP on the 705 is a definite plus with that rig. In fact, if you have an ID-52A, it can share the battery. :smiley:

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Hi Everyone, I purchased a 2M7X Yagi directional antenna from M2 at a ham fest, I thought this was a HF antenna and later I find out it’s a UHF/VHF. (Newbie mistake) I’m keeping the antenna but can someone recommend a decent HF antenna to start off with.

73 K04ZSE

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Are you specifically looking for a directional HF antenna? If yes, I’d say look for a “spider beam” type antenna. It’s a hassle to assemble, but it is directional on multiple bands. I’ve done two. I thought the SpiderBeam branded one was easier to assemble, but some of the plastic parts did not hold up for me. I did the MFJ version and while more durable, it was way more of a hassle to put together.

If directional is more of an option, start with a nice dipole or end-fed antenna. Lower maintenance, on the air in less than an hour in most cases and you really can work the world off of them.

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Thank you, I’ll look into it.

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The KØUO Rhombic AntennaFarm in Kansas, miles of Wire in the Air & On the Air, with tons of iron ore in the ground, “The RF Gotta-Go-Somewhere"

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