Top 3 Portable HF Antennas

My picks for SOTA and Portable Ops are tailored to my primary applications. Every antenna is a compromise in one way or another, and these three suit my needs in each respective application.
There are certainly other great options. Size and weight are priorities for me typically, and these antennas are my top picks for most of my operations.
What's your favorite portable HF antenna? Tell us in the comments below or post a video of your own.
Mini EFHW Matching Unit Build Video: • Ultimate UL Portable R...
Mini 9:1 Random Wire Antenna Build Video: • Ultimate Elecraft KX2,...

[@madebyhim1197]

This is why I love dipoles...lol, great job with the lesson in matching Endfeds.

[@daveN2MXX]

You are one of the most knowledgeable people I have ever heard speaking about portable EFHW and EFLW antennas...thank you for your videos! I have a homebrew EFHW I use as my primary station antenna. 73 de N2MXX

[@K6ARK]

Thank you David, I really appreciate that. I am certainly not the smartest guy around when it comes to RF, but I'm a mechanical engineer and if I can explain it in a way that I can understand, most others will too.

[@w6mrd900]

Great video! I’m looking forward to your next video. I’m hoping at some point you do a video on the trap antenna you mentioned in this video.

[@scottwood1143]

Great video! Very inspiring - makes me want to build some antennas. I really enjoy watching your build/tuning methods . It takes some of the mystery out of the process 😀

[@TheSmokinApe]

Good stuff Adam, thanks for sharing 👍

[@edmoreno9308]

You da man Adam! Another great video I’ve learned so much from. Thanks for sharing.

[@Ei2iP]

Excellent Adam, regards from Ireland 🇮🇪 de Ei2iP

[@JnJTrueOutdoorAdventures]

Great video and discussion of the antennas. I really like the BNC unun, and I got to get the stuff and build one for my QCXmini 40 Meter cw qrp rig from QRP-Labs. Using a tuner and my 80 meter dipole and calling CQ I was heard as far as Spokane WA the other day. If I can get one of these built I won't need the tuner, I will just make it resonant for the middle of the CW band. Thanks for sharing this vital information. Juddie - WD8WV

[@randyvanvliet226]

If I am going light, with or without an ATU, my number 1 QRP antenna is a 40-20-10 as built by PAR, LNR and now the people that make keyers. I will fine tune it for CW frequencies with an antenna analyzer for 14100 and also 7050. The 20m portion of antenna will be much wider band, better for both CW and SSB, while the 40m, due to the trap coil that keeps it a smaller, shorter manageable length antenna, will be much narrower in band width, so I prefer the 40m to be attenuated in the CW portion of the 40m band. The EFHW deploys quickly, and changing bands is just a push of a button away, no tinkering with the antenna, like a multiband dipole antenna. The dipole antenna, will, however, not be limited to 25 watts maximum, it will handle a full 125 watts, as made by Sotabeams in the UK.

[@tom_olofsson]

This is gold Adam, gold!

[@K6ARK]

Thank you, Tom. I do think it's a helpful breakdown for a new portable operator. Every antenna is a compromise in one way or another. Knowing the strengths and weaknesses is very helpful in picking what might be best for you.

[@tom_olofsson]

@@K6ARK I ordered everything on your list. I will attempt my first antenna build when it all arrives. Thanks for your encouragement.

[@K6ARK]

Let me know if you have any questions during the build. Email is good on QRZ.

[@praveenprabhu9533]

Very informative. Thank you

[@malenve6vid]

Great stuff Adam. My favourite for straight KX2 is an EFHW 20 mr with a 49:1 (82-43), with amp its a 40-10 EFHW with a 114-43 transformer. I need to try the 9:1 someday soon. Malen VE6VID

[@sandraabarca6029]

freaking awsome...Adam..ty 7 3

[@samwighton7972]

SOTA = Summits on the Air (amateur radio competition; UK) Just in case others (like myself) were not familiar with that acronym

[@thuff3207]

Mismatch of coax is greatly depend no the length of the coax and the frequency. If you coax is short using a tuner has much less loss because the coax look like wire.

[@markgold3003]

That was very helpful

[@DavidMiller615]

Great Stuff, Thank You. I'd like to find some of those mini kite string winders like on the EFHWs, any idea on sourcing them ?

[@K6ARK]

Yes! Here you go... intothewind.com/innova-mini-winder.html

[@timmcdonough8543]

Do you notice any change in the trap frequency when the epoxy and heat shrink are added? Tim N9PUZ

[@Toner126]

It’s happened to me now multiple times. Not sure what I’m doing wrong.

[@K6ARK]

They have an impact - some more than others. Tune slightly high, heat shrink, and check again. If the epoxy you're using had too much of an impact, try silicone or hit glue instead. Epoxies vary wildly in their dielectric properties.

[@theoview]

I am an novice HAM radio amateur, an Q about the traps in combination an EFHW antenne. EFHW multiband antenne with same impedance on al bands. the main reason I suppose choice an EFHW antenne. So EFHW for 40M also works on 20M, 15M on 10M ... started with the lowest freqeuntie, right ? what is the areason to use an trap ? beside the loading function that result in an shorter lengh ? Thx. ! kind regards Theo. Netherlands

[@K6ARK]

Good question, Theo. The primary reason would be to add bands that are not resonant multiples or 40m, such as 30m, 17m, and 12m. Links are another good option, but require lowering the antenna for a band change.

[@notionocean]

Great talk! How do you get away without a CMC when connecting the unun directly to the rig? Aren't you energizing the metal case of your rig?

[@K6ARK]

I've had no issues at QRP power levels. I'm essentially acting as part of the ground system which is fine. Tuning the antenna in the setup and position you plan to operate will minimize your SWR and reflected power.

[@notionocean]

@@K6ARK I'm curious about your tuning procedure. In many of your videos you use small handheld QRP rigs. I suppose they do not have built in SWR meters. I also saw you showed some antenna analyzer plots. If you are part of the antenna system, then how do you get an accurate assessment of the antenna system? By touching the connector of the analyzer while measuring? 73, Mike KK7ER

[@K6ARK]

@@notionocean I typically hold the analyzer like the radio and sit on the ground like I would normally while operating. I avoid touching the connector or having my fingers right by the toroid because I typically avoid that while operating anyway. I actually did install an SWR meter into one of my mountain topper radios, but I don't think it's entirely necessary. I never really adjust the tuning of the antenna in the field. Wire height above ground and proximity of the feed point and end of the wire to the ground are probably the most important factors to control while you're tuning.

[@davidwilliamson2115]

a Question What do you use to stop the antennas from getting tangled up?

[@JJ-vk2bg]

HI, there, Where could i get the antenna wire winder in your video? Who knows it?

[@radionb3i]

I understand the linked dipole using 100 watts. Just curious why the KX2 with unun 9 to 1 random wire, and End fed Half Wave with the mountain topper. Why is one preferable to the other in your mind?

[@K6ARK]

Yes, the KX2 has an internal ATU and I like the ability to pick any frequency on any band and instantly tune to it. It's fantastic for S2S chasing. The MTR has no tuner, so the EFHW is by far the best option for an UL deployment.

[@radionb3i]

@@K6ARK Interesting. Do you see both antennas as equally efficient as a radiating element?

[@K6ARK]

@@radionb3i no, the random wire is a bit less efficient due to tuner losses and the shorter length radiator (I typically use 41 feet). The EFHW is on par with a dipole at the same height.

[@radionb3i]

@@K6ARK Your info is really helpful. Thanks, Jonathan NB3I

[@ae4xo]

these are great if you can get them. everything is sold out

[@K6ARK]

I'm confused - these are all easy to make antennas that I built myself. All of the parts are available.

[@ae4xo]

@@K6ARK build? Lol never

[@jimmycake7143]

I see your bench top height seem quite high, what do you say? is it better there? thanks

[@K6ARK]

I just had a rolling stool seat with an adjustable height - the bench isn't particularly high. I adjust the seat to where I want it for any given task.

[@W6RIPRadioAdventures]

Awesome video! My Brain Hurts. Thanks! lol

[@dongelinas5990]

Would like to purchase one of your mini 9-1. If your willing. WA4FL

[@glock35ipsc]

Adam, since a typical EFHW antenna with a high transformation ratios of say 49:1 or 64:1 (or in that ballpark) will resonate on all harmonics (EX: a 40 meter EFHW will resonate on 40, 20, 15 and 10).... since you are using the traps, I'm wondering, does this small design not resonate on the harmonics? Or maybe I missed it, and you are using the traps with a 9:1 ratio?

[@K6ARK]

I use traps for non-multiple band combos like 20, 30, and 40m. If you add a trap for 30m, you need one for 20m because the inductance in the 30m throws off the the resonance for 20m. A link for 30m (or other bands like 17m) is another option that works.

[@glock35ipsc]

@@K6ARK ok, I gotcha now. Thanks!

[@tommycheshire5508]

Your construction leaves me out of the picture. My hands shake too much.