I am a new ham and I was planning to start activity with a portable antenna that I can pack and bring everywhere with me. This one attracted my attention because of the reviews and size. Got one from European dealer few weeks later and once passed my license exam I was on the air.

Within one week I made my first 100 QSOs with 45 countries and 5 continents. Antenna is attached to 2 meters pole in my garden (quite close to my home) with standard counterpoise but I added in opposite direction another one. As this antenna is not really meant for permanent use, to preserve the original MilStick whip I replaced it with one made from 12mm aluminum pipe assembled as one piece.

In SSB I could make all Europe and beyond: Acores, Canary Islands, Qatar, European Russia with good reports.

In digital modes I made Argentina, US, Cuba and I was reported heard by arctic station DP1POL – not bad at all. I am close to Paris and far from any salt water so it’s difficult to skip across the oceans in SSB and I am not yet proficient in CW. I am hearing American and Canadian stations I did not have yet chance to be heard on SSB with 100W transceiver.

Antenna is performing well from 40 to 10 meters – from 17 till 10 without any tuner because with flat SWR below 1.5, on 20 SWR was just above 2, on 40 around 5. On 80 SWR is high and although still can be tuned the performance is not good, at least in my situation, but at the end it’s only 4 meters stick! I could made my first (local) contact yesterday.

Globally I am satisfied and will keep it – difficult to get better for this size. I am planning to use it for SOTA activation next year from top of volcano on Reunion Island.

73, Thomas F4HPX

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