mobile antenna

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Its a pity that you're working all weekend as this will be the busiest VHF weekend of the year. 5. Aug and 3, Sept are dates for the last two backpacker competitions. If you can pick up a working Yaesy FT290R in time for either of those, I think you'll not be disappointed.
BTW as far as I'm concerned field days and back packer competitions are as near as you'll get in the here and now to genuine grid-down / bug-out radio communications, as the rules mean they have to be off-grid and in the case of the backpackers remotely located as well. Running delicate radio equipment in the great outdoors is a far cry from operating from a base station or the comfort of a motor vehicle.

Also check-out SOTA ( http://www.sota.org) there's lots of good practice to be had from getting involved with this. In fact it may be more to your liking as its an activity that takes place all week long and with a large contingent of VHF hand-held stations too.

My Super gainer has an SO259 connector on it. Sorry, I didn't notice that its not recommended for mag mounts. I've no idea why. Mine are used with fixed bases.

The American antenna is for sure makeable for a whole lot less money, but as you're starting out, getting stuff that you know works correctly from the get-go is the best way to go.