[net.ham-radio] Portable VHF DF Antenna Needed

mdg@uvacs.UUCP (03/27/84)

    Are there any VHF antenna gurus in NetLand?

    I have a minor problem.  I need to make a directional antenna which is
tuned to 121.6 MHz.  (I don't really need it to be broadband.)

    Here's the rub.  I have to be able to carry it through the woods *easily*.
If someone knows of an article where I can find something like a foldable
yagi design, I'd REALLY appreciate it.  The design must also be forgiving
enough that any idiot can unfold it, since I may not be the one who uses it.

    I was thinking about using a wooden main boom that folds in half, with
room for three or four yagi elements, and a handle that I would use to carry
it with, but I can't think of any good way to fold the elements back that
wouldn't begin to wear out after a few unfoldings.  I also don't want to have
ANY loose parts (free screws and such...), because if they get lost, I might
be miles away from the replacement parts.

    In fact, I'm not at all opposed to something other than a yagi.  If you
know of a quad design that is field portable, and suitable for VHF direction
finding, I'd be happy to hear about it!

					TNX in advance,

						Mike Geipel
						   N4IXJ

P.S. -  In case that was too easy a task, it would be cool if I could also
	receive (and transmit no more than 10 watts or so) reasonably well
	on 155.16 MHz.  As I said before, 121.6 MHz is the frequency that
	the direction finding would be for. (But it'd be nice if perhaps a
	switch could add a tuning capacitor [?!?] to the elements, and the
	elements could be respaced [?@!?*!?], without requiring an owner's
	manual for guidance!)

P.P.S.  If you're curious, this is for a group that does mountain rescue work.