I am a RACES / ARES member who is trying to actually prepare for
deployment with the ability to carry on effective communications from
anywhere. I'm here in the antenna forum to get advice on a portable
antenna system. I'm not here to join anyones particular theoretical
antenna behavior cult. If you have real world experience with a
portable multi band antenna system that actually worked for you please
share that experience with me.

Ive seen a couple of folded dipole antennas advertised that appear to
have some sort of fifty ohm dummy load at the center of the fold. Do
those things do more then provide a heat source for fleeing birds?

There are several compact vertical and horizontal antennas being sold
complete with stands or tripods are any of them worth their freight?

The so called spiderweb beams look interesting can anyone offer real
world experience on those?

I'm honestly looking for advice that is based on experience rather than
a particular theory of what should work. I want to know what does work
from real world users.
--
Tom Horne, W3TDH K

"This alternating current stuff is just a fad. It is much too dangerous
for general use." Thomas Alva Edison