PreppComm Antennas NO TUNE 40/20 Meter End-Fed Antenna with Setup Kit
PreppComm Antennas NO TUNE 40/20 Meter End-Fed Antenna with Setup Kit
PreppComm Antennas NO TUNE 40/20 Meter End-Fed Antenna with Setup Kit
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NO TUNE 40/20 Meter End-Fed Antenna with Unique Setup Kit

Overview

This is a very unique antenna designed initially for the Professional Ham Station GO Bag, and now extended to multi-band for MMX. It operates on both 40 meters and 20 meters, and does not need to be tuned. This is accomplished via a unique transformer in the antenna matchbox, but requires a counterpoise to operate correctly. The counterpoise wire is of course included as part of the antenna, and complete setup instructions for a sloper and inverted V configurations are included. The antenna is designed for temporary setup using the included setup kit, and is not intended for a permanent setup. It is a truly stealthy, lightweight, portable antenna.  However, we include in the setup kit tags (not shown in the images) and flags to use when stealth is not required, to prevent accidental damage to the antenna or persons running into the virtually invisible wire and paracord. And the antenna kit is packaged in a very handsome waterproof 14 oz heavy duty waterproof canvas zipper pouch, to keep everything together and for easy carrying and storage. Canvas color may vary. Note that each component is within its own ziplock bag inside the canvas bag, to keep things neat and organized.

The Antenna

The antenna itself is designed around information documented by AA5TB in his extensive review of end fed antennas with and without counterpoise wires. As far as we know, our design is unique, and utilizes a fascinating point on the curve where the antenna becomes nearly pure resistive as a load, and thus, is radiating nearly all of the applied power into the atmosphere. It operates well in several configurations, but the easiest to set up are the two mentioned above, sloper and inverted-v. Extensive instructions for setup and takedown are included with the kit in a plastic document folder, and the PDF file is here if you want to print it in another format.

The antenna consists of two PolyStealth AWG 26 wires - one, the antenna main wire, and the other, the required counterpoise. The PolyStealth wire is copper-coated steal multiple strand wire, coated with a black anti-UV and anti-reflective coating.  It is extremely difficult to see even when you know where it is! Thus, the included tags and flags.

The Setup Kit

This is a totally unique kit. The goal was to provide a way to quickly set up the antenna without cutting or tying knots, so it would be easy to take down, store, and use again. This is not as easy to achieve as it sounds! We had 3 or 4 forays into the field to test different approaches before we finally found the combination that met our goals. Finding the right components was a very time-consuming process, as well.

Included are two spools with 1.18 mm black paracord - 30' on one, and 15' on the other. These are used for "guy" cables for the two described configurations. In addition, a spool hanger is provided for the inverted V configuration, to prevent the antenna wire from coming in contact with the supporting tree limb or other support, which would seriously detune and reduce efficiency of the antenna.

Also included is a lead weight with carabiner to attach to the 30' or 15' length of paracord for throwing over a tree limb during the setup process. This step must be done carefully, watching out for possible bounce-backs or hitting another person standing on the other side of the support.

There are 3 ground stakes to support the two antenna configurations, as well as 3 flags to place where the ground stakes are located, to prevent damage by accidentally tripping over the stakes and attached wire or paracord. Finally, there are tags that can be attached via a clip to the paracord or antenna to men it visible to anyone walking or running in the vicinity. Of course you would not use these in a true stealth situation.

 The Application

This antenna and setup kit were designed specifically for QRP rapid deployment and extraction, for use such as POTA, Field Day, and portable operation. Thus, the antenna and setup kit are lightweight, and stealth when needed. The heaviest item is the lead sinker used as the throw weight. While a local rock can be used as a weight, it is hard to attach a carabiner to a rock! Thus, we include it in the package.

The zipper 14 oz heavy duty waterproof canvas pouch is 13.3" x 9.4" and weighs a mere 1.6 pounds fully loaded with the antenna and setup kit.

Also included

Also included in the package are two additional cables, to attach the antenna to your MMX or DMX transceiver.  One is a 3 meter (9.6 feet) SMA male to female LMR-100 cable, and the second is a 8 meter (26 feet) SMA male to female LMR-200 cable. These cables can be combined for a total of 13 meters, or about 37 feet length.

All you need to go on the air is a QRP transceiver, such as the MMX Multi-Band Morse Transceiver. For power, consider the SuperPower Solar Battery System.

NO TUNE 40/20 Meter End-Fed Antenna with Setup Kit

Regular price
$189.00
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$189.00
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Customer Reviews

Based on 4 reviews
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T
The Hammer
Good Value, Great Idea

They had a great idea to put all this equipment together for use on any Ham outing we may go to. Nice instructions with drawings that help you understand the printed instructions for the antenna. Nice that all parts talked about are in their individual, resealable plastic bag ao no confusion or tangling mess when put away. ..

Thak you for your kind comments! It sounds simple enough, but it actually took quite a number of trips to the local fields to get the kit to actually be easy to set up AND take down w/o mess for the next setup. It is nice that after all that effort, you appreciate it! Thanks, again!

B
Brian Gardener Ph.D.
Nice POTA antenna kit

A well organized antenna kit that is ideal for quick outdoor set up. Makes a great complement to the MMX transceiver.

J
J.B.

This antenna kit is well thought through based on real-life use and experience. With 2-band QRP CW, we have the advantage of narrow operating frequency range but have to face the reality of signal losses .Those factors have been taken into account admirably. I have a backpacking background and I am very critical of design factors and very impressed with every aspect!

M
Michael AD7VV
Great POTA /SOTA anywhere you need antenna

This portable antenna kit is perfect for field use such as POTA / SOTA or just about any field application your body can handle. It's very light weight at only a couple of pounds ( I haven't weighed it but it is very light.)

It comes in a nifty zipper bag that is quite resiliant to water and other fluids though I wouldn't advise dipping it in the river.

That being said, the items in the kit do come sealed in plastic zip bags and so even if you inadvertently go swimming with it everything in it should be good to go assuming that you put it all back into their bags. I haven't yet erected my antenna(s) up since I don't have room in my house and the wife has set the standard for no antennas in the house. Except for the BuddiPole Deluxe set up in the corner hiding from her .... so, the next post I want to make will be to set up the antenna and use my Comet CAA500 Mark II analyzer and scope this baby out and do some on the air testing.

I had previously set it up in the house and used it on my DMX-40 and was amazed at how well it worked in such a hap hazard fashion, setting it up outside should be very interesting. That little test was the motivation for the wife being so adamant against antennas being set up inside ...