VE1AC

Antennas

Mike Venasse VE1AC

Designer & Builder of the TrailBlazer™ Portable Loaded Vertical Antenna

Amateur Radio Operator • Licensed Since 1992 • Founder of HamRadioList.com

TrailBlazer™ Portable Loaded Vertical Antenna – A Compact HF Solution Built for the Field

After months of experimenting, tweaking, and on-air testing, I finally built an HF antenna that has exceeded my expectations.

Whether you're activating a park, operating from a campsite, preparing for emergency communications, or simply looking for a compact HF antenna that can be deployed in minutes, the TrailBlazer™ Portable Loaded Vertical Antenna was designed with one goal in mind—maximum portability without sacrificing on-air performance.

Designed and built by Mike Venasse (VE1AC), the TrailBlazer combines a simple loading coil design with a lightweight fiberglass section and a sturdy aluminum mast to create a portable antenna that measures under seven feet tall, yet is capable of operating on multiple amateur radio bands with the help of an antenna tuner.

At the heart of the antenna is an 80-turn loading coil wound on a 1½-inch plastic form, coupled to a 36-inch top radiator mounted above an 18-inch insulated fiberglass section. The assembly is supported by a 20-foot aluminum mast, which also serves as the RF return (counterpoise), eliminating the need for a traditional radial field and making setup incredibly fast.

The TrailBlazer is optimized as a 40-metre portable antenna, resonating across approximately 7.0–7.3 MHz after tuning. With an antenna tuner, it can also be matched on 30 metres and 20 metres, making it a versatile companion for field operations.

Although a short loaded vertical cannot compete with a full-size resonant antenna in efficiency, it excels where portability matters most. Typical efficiency ranges from 20–35% on 40 metres, providing reliable local contacts and impressive DX opportunities when propagation is favorable. The naturally low take-off angle of a vertical antenna also makes it well suited for long-distance communications.

One of the key design features is its straightforward feed system. The center conductor of the coax connects directly to the bottom of the loading coil, while the coax shield bonds to the aluminum mast, creating a clean and simple feed arrangement. This minimalist approach reduces setup time while keeping the antenna rugged and field-ready.

The TrailBlazer was created for amateur radio operators who enjoy:

• Portable operating (POTA & SOTA)
• Camping and RV adventures
• Emergency communications
• QRP through 100-watt SSB operation
• Quick deployment with minimal equipment

Every antenna installation is unique, so final tuning should always be performed using an antenna analyzer or tuner. Starting with the recommended 36-inch radiator allows fine adjustments to bring the antenna into resonance on the desired portion of the 40-metre band.

The TrailBlazer isn't intended to replace a full-size tower-mounted antenna—but that's not its purpose. Its strength lies in being compact, lightweight, easy to build, and ready to get you on the air almost anywhere.

Whether you're exploring the backcountry, activating a new park, or preparing for emergency communications, the TrailBlazer proves that great things can come in small packages.

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