REVIEW of the FT-817 and MP1 Super antenna as a QRP HAM RADIO combination 

I got the MP1 about 3 months ago, and I love it, it breaks down into an incredibly small size. I use the supplied tripod. I have no problem making contacts with the Yaesu FT-891 and MP1 and even made it from Ireland to Canada on 20 meters @100 watts about a month ago. I have not used the 80 meter coil yet, when I go out portable it's usually during the day so I wouldn't be using the 80 M band. The Antenna is also very quick and easy to set up, when I don't want to use my EFHW and mess with trees the MP1 is perfect. It's a great high quality product, I love it. It has greatly exceeded my expectations.

Slight update, some time ago I did use the 80m coil and made a 1000 mile contact at night. I could have a real QSO too @100w. Shame the Bandwidth is very narrow using the 80m coil. A remote option for the MP1 would be fantastic.

In 2012, in my brothers RV, in Santa Rita, Southern NM, I made contact all the way to WA. Good solid 59 contact both ways for 5 minutes. I have the older version too.

I think we are all on the same quest for portable working, compact/lightweight/quick to deploy/ has the same characteristics and efficiency of an all band resonant antenna. Let me know when you find it. Sometimes Carl it’s more about picking the right band at the right time of day than power. Equally some operators don’t give QRP a chance. Your patience exceeds mine by quite a margin. Try your MFJ 1979 on the same clamp if it fits and just 2 x ¼ wave radials for 20 at 18” off the ground and I think you will find it good on 20. I’ve been toying whether to buy the MP1 but as you say it’s a compromise antenna.73 de M0AZE.

You should try to get a small manual atu and try to load up that wire fence behind you

Old video these days, but as always still very enjoyable. Just been looking at possibly getting the MP1DXG which is the ground-mounted version to use with IC-705.

Really hope we get some better conditions for 10m in 2020, as i always seemed to be out or working when it was good this year (2019) love the way skip works on 12-10 & 6m its always changing so quickly. Reminds me when i used to use 11m when a kid in the late 80s working Europe on FM with just 4 Watts & just managing to exchange addresses for QSL cards, battling against the QSB & changing skip, no Internet back then to search address, really had to be shit hot with your ears & know your phonetic alphabet.

10 meters! Great operating session! Nice park too. 73 de K2CJB

Another very nice video, Thank you Carl.

I have the Slidewinder DX which looks similar. Wonder how they compare?

DE W4EMB, Cheers for sharing your portable QRP video. I hope to get my channel going with some more videos. A lot of good info you shared. Cheers again. Ed

Your doing very well indeed my friend, 73's 2W0EQQ 😃

Nice, apart from the focus but hey, could hear the most important bits. Thanks. What's your opinion on the MP1 after using it a while ? how do you find it on other bands ?

I see you are using only one lower extension rod for 10 meters..... According to the instructions supplied with the MP-1 you can use either ONE or BOTH extension rods below the coil... I had just purchased this antenna, and used both extension rods below the coil. The VSWR was horrible! The best I could get was a VSWR of 2.0, and that was with the coil way out of adjustment according to the supplied tuning gauge. I raised the 10 meter counterpoise off the ground almost level with the base of the antenna and got the VSWR close to 1.5... 20 meters tuned up perfectly with a few slight adjustments.... should I not use both lower extension rods at the bottom? Have you had any similar issues tuning to 10 meters with the MP-1? BTW. The counterpoise wires were supplied and pre cut by Superantenna... And is there a minimum length of coax I should be using? I was using about 15 feet (4.5 meters) that’s just what I happened to have.... Really like the antenna on 20 meters, was working into Canada and England from the northeast USA... 10 meters. Unfortunately the band was dead..... And with a less than ideal VSWR, I have no idea how it will preform.. Set up was a dream. Tuning is a little sketchy. But I brought my analyzer with me, so no big problem.. I was running basically the same setup as you, but I had the tripod and the rig was an 818. I did have the 817 for years! Took it everywhere and worked everyplace... Then I moved up to the 897 for the 100 watts. But backpacking with that and all the other gear got to be a bit much. So I recently purchased the 818. Have you ever used the Superantenna YP-3? Same concept as the MP-1, but is a 3 ele. Yagi.... Outstanding antenna! Unfortunately it is no longer available. Superantenna had a winner here, but for some reason they discontinued it..

What battery are you using, it's not stock. Have same radio, want to do some portable. Need to use it more, get lost in the manual 73 KQ4CDPaul

Nice!

Hi Carl - I see on your QRZ.com that you run 10W from your 817. How did you manage that? Is it an easy mod? Great YT channel! de 2E0RYD

Thanks for the video. I am thinking between super antenna vs loop antenna. Which one you would recommend

switch your 817 meter to SWR .

do you notice any difference in performance between the provided collapsible whip and the titanium one? other than size and pack size?

Would you recommend this antenna for apartment balcony , I am 20ft above the ground?

Have you still got the Mp1 and how do you find it now ? I got my License in May and delighted, having a ball, love the hobby. I have had good success with the www.hyendcompany.nl/ 4 band mini 100 watt end fed thrown up in trees and using a 12 M spiderbeam. Very compact and portable, used it in Germany a few days ago with the Xiegu X5105. the antenna works on 40, 20, 15 and 10 Meters, is resonant on all 4 bands needing no tuner and no radials. I would like to try the MP1 but for QRP 5 watts I would doubt it would be as efficient as the End Fed.

i like how everyone is radio 5 yet you have to repeat your call half a dozen times

With a 817 I can get good contacts around UK and eu I use 85ft I,vee endfed on a 10m sotabeam mast use there thin wire it will support it np works well on 40/60m with L/C atu check out vk3ye on RU-vid I have built 3 of them all work well parts are cheap on Ebay, also I use 120ft vee for 80/160m look on my qrz page there is plans shown for 1 I built I use swr in ft817 for tuneing Chris G0WFH