A few years ago, I posted an "ultralight" antenna design in the MYOG section called the "KD5IVP Backpacker Yagi".
http://www.backpacking.net/makegear/yagi-antenna/index.html

Turns out, a young gentleman built my antenna and posted a "how to" video on Youtube, on how to build the thing:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPGmad2MMWM

....and another using my design to make a 211 mile contact from Mt. St. Helens using a walkie talkie:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nb6c9DdMkyc

This antenna weights 2.1 ounces and is what I use in the backcountry when out of cell phone range. I've made contacts well over 150 miles and through satellites using it. I don't know the fellow who made the video but he did a fine job!

So, if you have your amateur radio license, build this antenna. It can save your tail, and also doubles as a tarp pole.

Nice little antenna project. Going to have to try it out. It is a good feeling when you see someone using your design and having fun with it. 73 n0oxk
Jeff

Nice antenna Dryer
ever try to make a folded one or etch it on duroid or ceramic?
Jim

Jim...
Yeah, I've laminated them into plastic sheet, used copper tape on plastic sheet, etc. The carbon arrow shaft idea is final design of several attempts and gives me double duty, plus I can stack elements off the end for more gain if I want.

Dryer
I understand that part. The question is whether you have tried to etch an miniature antenna on ceramic substrate with a much higher Q than air. I mostly designed microwave antennas and of course the wavelength was much shorter as I recall about 10.5" in the 2.4 GHz ISM band. I routinely made antennas that made postage stamps look big, some had a forward gain or 5-6 db. like the size or smaller than the patches in GPS units.
Jim

Jim, I've made antennas etched on printed circuit board...log periodics, mostly...for use in the 1.2 ghz band and for cell phone boosting. In fact, I have a dual band one setting here on the desk for cell phone about 4" square. My dad etched much smaller antenna patches for satellite telemetry back in his day.

See, I think that is all amazingly cool - But everything I've ever read about getting an amateur license makes it look inordinately complex.

There are places I go that I'd carry that.

Phat, for that ** license level (uhf/vhf) you simply pass a 35 question test. There is no Morse code requirement at any license class, anymore (sadly).
I'm the test proctor for this area and most study is online now.
Go here:
http://www.rac.ca/
Then here:
http://www.rac.ca/en/amateur-radio/beginner-info/getting-started.php

Find a club in your area. Really easy yet useful stuff!

phat, Dryer,
This is true. Samuel Finley Breeze Morse is buried in my families burial plot in Illinois, my mothers grand mother was a Morse. They always called her grandama Morse surprisingly enough. When I was a kid I was very proficient at it.
Jim

No kiddin'? That's cool, Jim! I'm an avid code operator. It's still the most reliable mode of radio communication and the first "digital" mode. It was a sad day when the FCC stopped requiring Morse code for ham licenses. Not only was it a right of passage, it was/is invaluable training.
The decision of the FCC to eliminate code was yet more dumbing down of license process. Morse is fundamental to radio and signaling.

hmm.. that almost looks worth doing..

Particularly since it means I could pretty much do that on any trail I hike.