Original article from: Wayne Sarosi 
 Reposted by Rob Dennis,Moderator HAM_TECH,for use of the FIDO HAM_TECH echo.
  THIS POST/SERIES NOT TO BE USED IN ANY CDROM COMPILATIONS FOR COMMERCIAL
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Field Day Antennas & Kits - part 3
Quick set-up modifications for antennas:
 One of biggest problems during an emergency or field day operations is the
assembly and tuning of an antenna. Granted,a whip does not require much in 
he
line of tuning or assembly,however a yagi would.
 As I recommended before,use antennas that are prepared prior to an emergency
or a field day and for emergency use; the simpler the better. Things to keep
in mind are that stations outside the emergency area are running at their 
ull
potential with large directional antennas and full power.
 Trying to match them while operating in a mud & debris enviroment,out of the
back of a car,may be a large undertaking,not practical under the situation.
 You may have walk in serveral miles carrying 80-lbs of equipment and 
upplies
to reach the emergency site.
 As for field day, it's much easier. Preps can be made months in advance and
it's this one factor that can make or break a field day.
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Lets look at the Yagi,Cubical Quad,Inverted Vee,and Wire Dipole.
 These antennas seem to appear at most field days stations I've been to and
I've been to several.  Keep in mind that a sloper will have similar 
olutions,
which is another antenna I've seen at field day sites.
 YAGI: (3 Element mono band,HF,armstrong rotor,gamma match)
          {Use the Cushcraft as a model}
 Assemble at home per directions. Assemble coax to be used at field day and 
e
sure to provide enough (ie 70-100 ft). Test the coax via a dummy load with 
00
watts of power CW. Check the SWR and loss at the desired band for the coax.
 When complete,save for antenna testing.
 Place the assembled antenna on a mast or tower for tuning.
 This height should be the height the antenna is to be used at during field
day. I would recommend here that,if possible,test the antenna at the site 
ith
the support that is to be used during field day. Adjust the element lengths
and gamma match,with the coax tested before,until all the 'kinks' are worked
out. The SWR should be less than 1.5:1 across the band area you desire to
operate in.
 Remove the antenna intact and mark joint fittings of the tapered elements.
 Mark the dogbone on both the DE and the gamma match element.
 Disassemble the antenna and store in a PVC 4-in pipe with caps or a wooden
box or canvas bag. Coil the coax and cap the PL-259s.
 Disassemble the mast or tower. Bag the hardware and attach to the support.
 When Field day or an emergency comes up, you are ready with premarked and
pretested equipment. I have done this for 6 years and have found that it 
aves
a bunch of grief. Use the coax you tested,not some hoser's botch job.
 And do your own assembly. If it fails,there is no one but you to blame.
 This concept can take a 2000 point total to a 4000 point level if done 
ight.
 In an emergency situation,it's the difference between a poor signal and a
clear signal. Make it so the tuner is not required.
Continued next posting................ :)
--- GoldED 2.42.G1219
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