Trap End Fed Half Wave Antenna 40/30/20m - EFHW-403020

Features:

• Simultaneous match on 3 bands: 40, 30, and 20 meters.
• Mass: 250g / 8.8oz
• Total antenna length: 17.92m / 58.8ft
• 18 AWG with PVC insulation in a range of colors.
• Female BNC connector on feed point.
• 1kV Silver Mica Capacitor
• Suitable for dry use only. (Water resistant / Permanent instillation version coming soon)

Description:

A 3 band antenna that presents a match on 40/30/20m (7/10/14 MHz) without the need for a tuner, and comes fully assembled. These bands chosen for their great general coverage all times of day and popularity. Special attention was taken to reduce core and capacitor losses to ensure an efficient transfer of RF power.

I designed this antenna for a backpacking trip I took with a friend. I was looking for an antenna that would enable reliable contacts from local to a few states over (about 1000mi/1609km) at most any time of day. Three bands 40, 30, and 20m achieve this:

40m - Excellent local daytime band, "opening up" as the sun sets to distant night time contacts.

30m - Good daytime local to mid range propagation, a favorite of mine.

20m - Mid range to distant daytime band, band may close at night.

After looking at my log I also noticed that, by far, 40m and 20m were my most frequent bands, and though I had access to other bands a majority of my contacts were on those two bands. Adding 30m improves the coverage, filling in any gap of propagation between 40 and 20m.

With a feed point positioned conveniently at the end of the antenna, I only needed one short run of coax, less weight. Using traps meant I could skip a tuner and reduce weight. Keeping weight down is a high priority while backpacking! A linked EFHW could have been lighter, but traps meant I didn't need to leave the tent/get up when switching bands. Using an arborist weight I was able to deploy this antenna as a vertical or sloper quickly in trees.

After activating a few parks for Parks On The Air I took it out backpacking and it serves me well still in both capacities, and is my primary antenna for both. It is also very nice to just be able to change frequency to the band you want to operate, no antenna or tuner adjustment needed.