If you have a fence or pier with a metal railing nearby, why not use it as part of a counterpoise system? That lessens what you need to carry and you can get some great results.
It's a good idea to have a ground tuning unit and a relative indicator of current so you can adjust it for maximum. Even if you don't have much height you can sling a thin wire between two fishing poles and get some very good results even with surprisingly short antennas. For example a 5m vertical with a 10m flat top (for a capacitance hat) can work very well on 3.5, 7, 10 and 14 MHz.
The video below has further information on building a ground tuning unit.
Want more information? There was an article in Practical Wireless October 1990 on building a Ground Tuning Unit. Some other notes are below:
* VK2HAS notes
* More detail on the above
* Video by VK6OP
If you try any of these, please let me know how you go in the comments below.
PS: Want more portable antenna ideas? Many are in Hand-carried QRP antennas. Thousands sold. Favourably reviewed. Available in electronic or paperback. Find out more here.
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