I use the zs6bkw variant of the G5RV multiband dipole/doublet. It is 24m metres long (end to end), fed in the centre at about 6.5m above ground, by 11.1m of 300 ohm tv ribbon from my junkbox. It works fine on all bands except 15m and 30m, though on 30m the kx3 atu does handle the high impedance. I’ve worked long path from VK to EU countries with it, and also my only S2S with NA was made with this antenna on 17m.
As the feedline is much longer than the mast height. I route the feedline down to the 1m level where the guy ropes stabilise the pole, then it comes across to the operating position. I position the radio about 4m away from the base of the pole. If bushes or trees are available I route the feedline over small branches or rocks to keep it off the ground. If no bushes or rocks are there I use my backpack. And if some feedline still lies on the ground, I don’t worry about it. Portable operation and making do with the available materials requires pragmatism, so the idealist is always going to be disappointed.
The short doublet shown in Richard’s video (sotabeams video series on youtube) is great but it relies on a wide range ATU to adjust the impedance for the radio. Many simple ATUs are ok to match a low SWR like up to 5, but for 2000-3000 ohms reactive that some lengths and wavelengths produce, more inductance and more capacitance range is needed on the antenna side of the matchbox. Not many commercial matchboxes that you want to carry in your pack actually do that.
Struggling to avoid antennas other than simple resonant centre fed antennas just to avoid using coax is in my view, not worth the trouble. I’ve used RG58 coax for the SOTA antennas since 2013 and it has never been too heavy to lift, carry or for the pole to support. I really don’t know what the problem is. I only went to the zs6bkw to achieve quick band changes having seen how quickly others using this antenna could do it. But I still have the other proven antennas like the linked dipole and the quarter wave vertical with elevated radials. They all work well.
73 Andrew VK1DA/VK2UH