The PackTenna EFRW is a portable field antenna that is known for its small size, lightweight design, and easy setup. It is an end-fed antenna, which means that it is designed to be fed at one end, rather than in the middle like a traditional dipole antenna. This allows it to be set up quickly and easily, without the need for a support structure.
It is a compact and portable antenna that is ideal for a variety of outdoor activities, including SOTA (Summits on the Air) activations, POTA (Parks on the Air) activations, camping, backpacking, and travel. This antenna combines a 9:1 UNUN (Unbalanced to Unbalanced transformer), winder, and antenna wire in a compact unit that is quick to set up and take down which is a blessing while out in the field.
The PackTenna Mini comes with 29′ of 26 AWG copper clad steel wire that has a “silky” jacket to minimize wire tangle. This wire is the best in the business as I’ve had zero issues and dozens of deployments of this antenna in particular. The EFRW requires a tuner and is rated to handle up to 100 watts SSB so this may not be the perfect antenna for many but for me it has been indespensible.
I know many other amateur radio operators find the PackTenna End-Fed Half Wave to be a convenient and effective field antenna, particularly for portable operation. However, it’s important to note that the suitability of an antenna for a particular operator’s needs will depend on various factors, such as the operator’s location, the type of radio being used, and the specific band or frequency of operation.
Overall, the PackTenna Mini Random Wire Antenna is a convenient and effective solution for portable ham radio operation. It is the antenna I deploy most often and has allowed me to reach around the world with a few watts and CW.
73, Tyler Kacsor