Ok, guys,  I give up!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As you may know, over the past year or two, I have been experimenting with
various portable HF antennas, ranging from zip-cord antennas, to random wire
antennas, to the famous G5RV, and lately, the Buddipole.

I have had some success with the various wire antennas, but have not done
consistently well with the Buddipole system.

Today, in fact, we had a little special event station at a local
Arts and Crafts Fair where I tried to set up the Buddipole, and the effort
was practically a bust.
I spent my time on 20 meters, and made a hand-full of CW contacts, since
that's where I could get the SWR down to something close to reasonable.  I
had an auto-tuner, of course, to protect the rig.

I have had some luck with the Buddipole, in our new travel trailer,
particularly on 20 meters, but it just doesn't seem to perform consistently.
The antenna is tuned by a combination of tap-and-coil settings, and whip
lengths.  It simply may be a bit too difficult for a blind guy like me to do
consistently.

(Note:  You have to realize how hard it is for me to admit defeat like this!
HI!  HI!  HI!

Anyway, I regard some of the folks on this list as knowledgeable in portable
HF work, and am very
interested in any suggestions you might have for a portable HF antenna
system that we could mount on the back of our camper, or that someone like
me could set up independently out in the field.  I would like to be able to
work from 10
through 80 meters if possible, although I realize that's a tall order
especially for the lower frequencies.  I do have one of the  talking SWR
meters from Remy Simmard, so can
use that to check SWR when needed.

Just for the record, my portable HF station consists of an Icom 718, an LDG
AT11MP auto-tuner, and an MFJ Mighty Lite power supply.

I have heard varying reports about screwdriver antennas, and the Outbacker,
but don't want to get stuck again spending all kinds of money for something
that doesn't work well.

My other problem right now is trying to sell the Buddipole so I can get the
funds to buy and try something else.  If you have any suggestions as to
where to do this, also let me know.  The Buddipole folks do have a users
group, which I'm a member of, so that might be a good start.

Sorry for the rambling nature of this e-mail.  It's just been a frustrating
experience recently, so I figured I'd go to the experts.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Best 73 from Tom Behler: KB8TYJ