If you wanna save some time (but not money), I understand the MP-1 is
a great portable antenna for the size. Naturally, with the 80-meter
add-on coil, you can't expect stellar performance, but I've heard
nothing but good reviews on the thing. I wouldn't mind one myself--I
also don't know of any good way for a blind guy to throw up a wire
accurately and would love to take a portable QRP station along on
trips. The antenna is $150, various accessories are in the $20 range
each. You can get a tripod, the aforementioned 80-meter coil, a mobile
kit (48-inch or so non-telescoping whip and two-foot mast, as opposed
to the eight-inch one you get by default), a couple other things as
well are available. I understand it tunes like a screwdriver
antenna--without the screwdriver--so it's manually tuned. Anyway, it's
a vertical, so. ...

I'd also be interested in what other folks have for portable antenna ideas.
--
Buddy Brannan, KB5ELV/3  | I choose you to take up all of my time.
Email: [log in to unmask] | I choose you because you're funny and kind
                         | I want easy people from now on.
                         | --the Nields