Mr. Cole and all,
When comparing the two antennas - having owned and used both - each is quick-take-down and extremely portable. The Elk has 10 elements to attach to its single-piece boom, and the elements and their attachment points are color-coded. The Arrow also has 10 elements, but each one is in two parts (lke the boom) so there are 20 pieces to match for assembly.
Elk makes a heavy storage case with hook-and-loop closures for it's antenna that includes a large front storage pouch. I'm confident that pouch was designed to hold the original mount for the antenna, which is intended for a mast. Here, I can fit the antenna and the handle I made for it in the main compartments. The front pouch holds my HT, coax, extra battery pack, digital audio recorder and handheld GPS unit with a bit of room left over. So I have a travel case for my entire handheld station.
I did the same as you with the PVC "hard travel case," and both antennas fit in it. The Elk's boom is 24 inches.
73 to all,
Tim - N3TL -------------- Original message from Edward Cole kl7uw@acsalaska.net: --------------
One last comment that may help your decision: The Arrow comes as a portable take-apart version. All the elements unscrew and the square tubing boom comes apart to fit in 24-inch long package. I bought a 25-inch by 2-inch diameter PVC tube with end caps (sewer pipe to most) to carry my Arrow on board airlines back before 911. Handy way to travel with a dual-band HT and enjoy operating Leos. I believe one of the ham accessory mfrs sell a fabric tote sack for the Arrow.
73, Ed - KL7UW
At 01:06 PM 12/28/2008, Trey Brown wrote:
Thanks for everyone's comments. I think will probably end up purchasing both and using them on a couple passes and then deciding which one would be better for me and returning the other. Both companies offer refunds, so that may be the best route for me. I just can't get over the fact that I've talked to and read what quite a few hams have had to say regarding the arrow, and I can't see why they would use one for multiple years if it was so horrible, so that leads me to think I may like it better, but we'll see!
On Fri, Dec 26, 2008 at 8:00 PM, Trey Brown wrote:
I'm looking to get started in FM satellites and am considering purchasing one of these antennas. Wanting to get some thoughts and opinions from people that have been doing this longer than I have been.
http://www.elkantennas.com/2m4405element.htm http://arrowantennas.com/146-437.html
-- Trey -- N5THX
They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.
- Benjamin Franklin
-- Trey
They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.
- Benjamin Franklin
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Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb