New Portable Antennas for 144 MHz and 50 MHz
I have been camping in North Carolina near the Smokies and I did have my 2 Meter and 6 Meter antennas up for the VHF contest last weekend. It's been a busy few days for me since I started my journey home.
New Portable Antennas
My Elk antenna. This one is not actually new to me, but this is a new way for me to use it. It's my Elk antenna that I have used for satellite operation. It is mounted on a 25 foot flag pole, but I didn’t have any luck with it during the contest. I was in a bad spot between some hills.
(Click near the top of the image to enlarge it.)
Elk 2Meter Antenna 
6Meter Beam 
Old Inverted V for 75Meters. Camp in Standing Indian Campground
Next time I will plan ahead and look for a spot out in the open. I can see using this antenna, this way in Arizona.
The next is a Diamond A502HB 6 Meter beam. I got this before I left and I was able to make a few contacts during the VHF contest. Again, not a real good location for this antenna. Mounted this one on my 30 foot flagpole.
Finally, above is a picture of my Inverted Vee up 50 feet. Got it up there with my Dog Gone Antenna Launcher. This antenna works great as always.
Thank you
I will follow up and let you know how they work again in a different location. Hopefully a location with some altitude.
I have a 2 meter transverter and will be using it more from the camper with my Icom 7300.
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73,
Rich,K0PIR
I ran an Elk Log Periodic dual-band beam on a 6′ tripod at my in-laws house in Central Jersey for last week’s VHF Contest, snd had what I consider to be good success.
I only worked from 10:30 PM to 4:00 AM, only on 2 meters, and only QRP! I used my Elk with my IC-705, running on a battery pack, for ten watts.
I only managed about 32 FT-8 QSOs, but I reached from Maine to North Carolina, about 300 miles away.
my in-law’s house is on the highest point in the area, and the location played a big part in my success.
My tripod Mount: http://n2vip.com/elk-log-periodic-tripod-mount/
was based on your video: https://k0pir.us/tripod-mount-for-the-elk-antenna/
The lesson I learned is in contesting, the three most important things are:
Hi Ken,
It’s great to hear from you and thank you so much for posting your results. The Elk antenna is a real good antenna and I know I can make some contacts when I get out in the open, thanks to you! Take care and best 73!
Too many of our new ham are getting the idea thar only VHF exists and THAT is ham radio. NOT BY A L-O-N-G shot. TRY HF!!
I agree. Getting a General license in the US really opens up possibilities.