If the hike is shorter than 0.5 mile, I just carry it fully assembled. Otherwise I break it down and strap 2m elements to the side of my pack. I use mine for satellites and I will usually pack the 70cm elements in my radio bag or will rubber band to the outside of a water bottle so they have some structure while riding inside my pack.
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Where did you get the CF boom?
I’ve considered modifying the existing boom to break down even smaller. The way Arrow does it is pretty straightforward and I’m sure I could duplicate that, but if I’m going to go through the effort, starting with a lighter material will be nice as well.
Chris
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I’ve seen pics of yours before and was thinking about that when I was on Reddish Knob last weekend. 
I may end up copying it.
I did buy the Arrow mounting bracket, but I think that’s the worst use of $16 ever. 
Chris
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I had a custom CF boom made by Ken Alexander VE3HLS who is on Twitter. It took several months, but it is perfect for my needs. I gave him a lot of input on how exactly I wanted it and he delivered.
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I did that yesterday (leaving it fully assembled) between drives too easy access summits.
What I’ve learned about Yagis!!! (Hopefully someone will get something out of this)
Fumbling around putting the Yagi together on a summit that is cold and windy is no fun!
The Yagi will make the difference on some summits for sure! For example I would not have activated Hunter Mountain in the NY Catskills without one. I called on the SlimJim/Jpole for a while with no response but was able to get into the ham “hives” just out of reach of the Jpole easily.
This one has me thinking! The forest on Hunter is thick evergreens 360* Was my Jpole transmission being absorbed? Did the Yagi’s extra dB’s break through the pines? Of course the Yagi is a significant transmission boost that is its reason but If given the choice between hanging the Rollup jpole or setting up the Yagi I pick the Jpole every time.
Tips: How to make your Yagi experience pleasurable.
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I put a White dot of nail polish on one set of Elements, Orange on another and Lime green on another (4 daughters ha) i.e. different colors. This prevents joining the wrong elements or mounting the whole thing backwards. Surprisingly (don’t ask!) it will still work but probably with much decreased efficiency even in the wrong direction!
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Thread loc-tight a small drop of the blue on the element threads. I say blue because I have read the “red” will affect propagation (who knows?) I actually think that is on the Arrow or Elk website.
I dropped an element thread as I pulled the antenna out of my backpack. Luckily I saw it fall in the grass but had I not found it the Yagi would have been dead weight. (I need to get extras)
** I’ve actually been wanting to try it as a two element Yagi with only the driven and reflector. I will do that soon.
- I have the portable Arrow with split boom and standard Arrow I suggest making your boom split if it’s not (much easier to hike with) cut it in almost half at an angle so it doesn’t rotate. Use a suitable copper or PVC pipe to join them. I also have the purple carry bag. It is cool but there are many other suitable carry bags available.
Random stuff.
The Yagi will act like a weathervane (still trying to sort that out) and can be a major problem. It will pick up static from that weathervane-ing wind. That also needs fixed.
Hiking with the standard boom sticking out of my backpack was a back disaster waiting to happen if not just annoying catching branches. It is now mounted next to my pack much lower than it was within the pack.
Handheld sounds pretty simple but in my experience (maybe a lighter design is better) it isn’t happening for long. If you do handheld a lanyard on the HT Yagi support hand/wrist and a speaker mic in the other hand works pretty well! For Logging, set everything down or record QSOs.
Anyway that’s Yagi tips from the experiences in my first year of SOTA BUT most of this is from reading stuff from other activators much more experienced/skilled than myself!
Erik
KE8OKM
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Maybe you will find a few ideas here:
Armin 73
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I should also mention that AL booms suck in 15 degree weather. It sucks the heat right out of your hands. Another good reason to go with an alternative material if you operate in cold wx.
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Hello, my 4ele
unmount:
Mounted:
Dismounted, it goes into the backpack. connectors made in 3d printer. If someone wants the stl files, he asks me for them.
73
31 Likes
I love it! 
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Found an interesting option:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XYX8FDG
The Arrow 146-3bp fits down inside it nicely, with only an inch or so of the longest boom section sticking out. The small pocket is perfect for my HT(with antenna removed). There’s additional space in that pocket for other small items. The larger pocket could hold a small HF radio (Mountain Topper, KX2) water bottle, other antennas, etc. There’s enough space in the main pocket for sections of PVC mast sections, additional water bottles, or other bits of kit.
It’s not a substitute for a proper backpack on longer hikes, but should be fine for short trips of a mile or two each way. I think it could be my VHF-Only rig, carrying the Yagi and other portable VHF antennas.
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That’s pretty cool. When someone asks about it you can say “It’s my Arrow!”…And be telling the truth.
I am planning on a Mill and Devils Benchmark dual activation later this month. I’ll let you know. It would be cool to do a Arrow to Arrow QSO!
Erik
KE8OKM
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I just use a camera tripod bag. you can get one pretty cheep on Amazon.
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Sounds good! I’m out Memorial Day weekend though (and next weekend will be tight). Thing 1 is graduating HS (Summa Cum Laude!!!). Now that everyone has had their rabies shots, we’re using this as an excuse to get together as a family.
BTW, are you going to be in this area the weekend of the VHF contest? KM4KMU is coordinating VHF-oriented hams. I’m going to also try and activate a summit. I figure that’ll be a great time for 6m FM.
Chris
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That’s a good shout too. I hadn’t thought of that. Though, I was looking for something I could sling on my back. Being a former archer, I gravitated to quivers and quiver-like devices.
Chris
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I think you should expect that without the director the feed impedance of the yagi will change by quite a lot, which will change the VSWR at the feedpoint. The feed impedance of yagis is highly dependent on the spacing and tuning of the reflector and director.
It’s worth trying though, just to learn something about the design.
73 Andrew vk1da/2uh
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I use Stuarts great design here: Ultralight Hiking Pole Yagi Antenna | KB1HQS
My walking poles are always with me and now have the mounts permanently attached.
The 146-3 Arrow elements are carried in a surplus telescoping pole bag strapped to the side of my pack with the telescoping Sotabeams Tactical Mini pole (for HF). Quick to assemble and very effective.
73
Geoff ZL3GA
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I will try it this evening on my first activation in Connecticut!
Also I am thinking that using the Yagi with only the driven element is a…dipole?
On my last couple activations I have been experimenting with the RG-58 feed line perpendicular to antenna verse led straight back to handhold and there is a consensus that signal is stronger led straight back parallel to boom.
I’ll report back my findings on taking off the director and also using as a dipole.
Erik
KE8OKM
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I haven’t heard about the contest but will check it out! Your right 6m could be fun!
Erik
KE8OKM
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AB8CI and I will be activating The Pinnacle on Skyline for the contest. We are also discussing camping out overnight as well. My vote is for getting a backcountry permit and hammock camping somewhere near the summit.
Chris
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K6ARK made a 3 ele without the reflector and had good results…
Will it work? Yagi with no Reflector - Antenna Design/Build/Test - YouTube - link here in case anyone missed it…
73, Todd KH2TJ
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