Portable HF Antenna question

[OMCS]

I obtained a portable hf vertical antenna several years ago   basically this on a tripod, slightly different mine has ground radials. The telescopic whip was rather flimsy and about ten inches broke off the top.  MY question is this:
1. will re-soldering a piece to the tip make any difference to the overall operation
2. Can I use a mfj random wire tuner with this (using just the center feed)

It has been gathering dust for years and we are considering using it during travel.
 

[BoomboxDX]

Soldering the ten inches back on the tip will probably improve reception, depending on the overall length of your antenna (I can't tell how long it all is from the picture).

I'm guessing if it was designed to be used with the radials, having the entire length of the mast would be preferable. Looks like its got a loading coil. Definitely is designed to be used with the entire length of the mast.

I don't see why you couldn't use a tuner with it. To a tuner, whether it's wire or a telescoping whip, it's just a length of metal.  I'm not sure exactly how much a tuner will help, being that it looks like a tuned antenna -- but there's no harm in trying it.

[OMCS]

Thanks for the reply Boombox. Was thinking about using the portable for transmitting as well. Have used it in the past but not the greatest output, basically just tuned (moved the coil adjustment) for loudest signal. Unsure how the mfj tuner would affect the transmitting. The antenna works pretty well for reception. Wasn't sure if the tip fully extended was part of the coil scheme or just more overall antenna length.

[Tom S]

It looks like it's a homemade version of the Pac 12 portable ham antenna.  The Pac 12 has different coils for different bands.  I've seen them in use by hams running QRP, and it's amazing how well they actually work for such a short antenna.

[BoomboxDX]

If you're planning on transmitting with the antenna, you'd definitely want to solder the top back onto the mast / whip.

I'm sure it was designed to be used with that length -- even with a loading coil, they usually take the length of the whip or mast into consideration.

I know with a loaded whip CB antenna, you shorten the whip too much, the SWR goes way up. I'd think it would be the same with your antenna.