My Amateur Radio Site

It's no fun having a shack full of radios, and plenty left over to use mobile and/or portable.  Sure. it is fun collecting them (until the credit card bill arrives - ouch!) but ultimately I will need to find an antenna which covers plenty of the bands and is a good compromise between performance and keeping neighbours happy - as well as the local planners. 

I'm torn between 3 antennas at present.

The CobbWebb manufactured commercially by G3TPW covering 10/12/15/17&20m - �260

Sandpiper's MV6+3 - covers 6/10/12/15/17/20/30/40&80m shortened vertical - �125

Force 12's Sigma 5 - almost �350 for a 9ft vertical which apparently really works.  Ideal for small locations, no groundplanes or earthing required, easily assembled and dismantled for portability and packs down into a tiny space to throw in the car.

There are many advantages and disadvantages for all antennas.  Main ones are the compromise MV6+3 requires earth spike and or radials - in my experience satisfaction won't follow (just my experience).

The CobbWebb - a tired and trusted nest of 5 dipoles has much to recommend it except the optimum height of 33ft (half a wavelength of 20m) which means upsetting neighbours or the expense of a mast/tower affair.

The Sigma 5 seems only hampered by the cost! - almost treble the price of the Sandpiper.

Hope choosing a portable 2m and 6m get-up isn't so difficult!