The so-called "island" is shown here on the right.  It is actually just a Rock sticking out of the ocean, not an island.

There is no possibility to guy a mast on top of the island.  Two Spiderbeam fiberglass "Mini-Poles" will be extended horizontally from the rock in opposite directions.

Although the standard 404-UL has the electrical characteristics needed for the expedition, it is not physically strong enough to endure the harsh weather conditions experienced on the Rock.  Thus, this ruggedized version of the 404-UL was created:  "404-ROK"

The balun enclosure and balun itself is identical to that of the 404-UL.  Everything else has been built of sturdier material.

The coax attached is just a short stub of M&P MIL-SPEC RG-58.  The PL-259-6 is Teflon-insulated with gold-plated contacts.  

The feedline is a 6 meter length of M&P MIL-SPEC RG-58.

The wire is twice as thick and has 5x the breaking strength of the wire used in the standard 404-UL.  In attition, the outer jacket of the wire is of Heavy Duty Polyethene, which is much more resistant to damage when rubbing against tree-limbs (or the Rock) than ordinary Polyethene used in most other antenna wire.

Like with the standard 404-UL, the primary focus of the 404-ROK are the 40/20/15/10m bands.

The SWR with its 6m of RG-58 attached is less than 3:1 on 40-15m and in the lower half of the 10m band.

An MFJ-902 (manual) antenna tuner will be used to present the radio with a lower SWR.

The tent shown here is similar to what they will have on the Rock.  Operation will be inside to keep the equipment dry.

The advantage of the 404-ROK is, the operators do not have to go outside to change bands on the antenna.

Proposed Installation:   

The poles will probably have to be mounted horizontally because there is no posibility to guy them on the Rock. 

• The short-leg of the 404-ROK will be horizontal with about 2m of wire hanging down at the end.

• The long-leg will simply hang down about 12m.

We are unable to predict what effect this awkward configuration will have on the SWR or performance of the antenna.

Clearly an antenna tuner will be needed to present a low SWR to the transceiver.