Understand that you don't want to use such an antenna at higher power
levels, because you will have significant amounts of RF in the shack,
including the potential for interfering with the rig or power supply's
operation.  Also, with indoor antennas at high enough power levels, RF
exposure for you or your family becomes a concern.  At the level of a few
watts, you shouldn't expect much trouble with RF exposure or a hot
microphone.

This sort of antenna is for maximum portability, as in operating out in the
woods temporarily.  But antennas and counterpoises such as these will at
least get you on the air, especially on CW.

Lloyd Rasmussen, W3IUU, Wheaton, Maryland
Home:  http://lras.home.sprynet.com
Work:  http://www.loc.gov/nls
 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: For blind ham radio operators [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> On Behalf Of Scott Howell
> Sent: Saturday, January 14, 2012 1:38 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: A QRP portable antenna and question
> 
> Hey good people,
> 
> Well all this antenna talk got me thinking about an antenna solution for =
> my KX1. I was reading a Q&A on the Elecraft site and they recommended a =
> 24-foot piece of wire connected to the center of a BNC connector. THen =
> you would attach a 16-foot piece of wire. However, what was not stated =
> and what I wanted to know (not having put hands on this configuration) =
> where do you connect the 16-foot piece of wire that is acting as a =
> counterpoise?
> Here is what Elecraft states on their site.
> Q:  What's your favorite field antenna?  A:  A rotatable log-periodic at =
> 100', fed with home-made ladder line. (Just kidding!) What we recommend =
> in the KXAT1 manual for 40-20 m is about 24' of #26 insulated =
> copper-clad steel antenna wire (available from The Wireman), used as a =
> vertical or "sorta-vertical" radiator. You'll also need at least one =
> ground radial, 16' or longer (more on that below). The wire can be =
> tossed into a tree, or, if a tree is not available, supported by a =
> portable mast or other support. The 24' length can be loaded on all =
> three bands (20, 30 and 40 meters), and the wire itself weighs under 1 =
> ounce. Performance of this antenna varies with wire length, height, =
> ground characteristics, and the nature of surrounding objects, but in =
> general will be much better than a short, loaded vertical, and may =
> outperform a low-mounted dipole or inverted vee. Even on 40 meters, the =
> 24' length will perform very well once matched by the tuner. A 33' wire =
> length should be avoided since it's close to a half-wave on 20 meters. =
> For 80 m, a resonant antenna is recommended. It should be possible to =
> use an 80 m antenna on multiple bands. A loading coil is another =
> possibility to get a shorter antenna running on 80 m.
> 
> So, Just trying to figure out the best way to do this and input =
> appreciated. Yeah I should be getting good at antennas before long since =
> I have to put something together.
> 
> Thanks,
> 73
> Scott/N3BYY=