I'm comparing two portable setups for SOTA activations and would like some input from operators with field experience. Currently using a quarter-wave vertical with four radials on 20 meters, but considering switching to a vertical dipole (center-fed) to eliminate ground plane requirements. The vertical GP has been solid, but laying radials on rocky summits is a pain. Has anyone done A/B comparisons between these two configurations at similar heights? I'm particularly interested in real-world performance differences and setup time considerations.

I've used both extensively on SOTA peaks. The vertical dipole is definitely more convenient - no radials to mess with. Performance-wise, I noticed maybe 0.5-1 S-unit difference favoring the GP, but the convenience factor makes the dipole my go-to for quick activations.

Ground conductivity at your operating site makes a huge difference with the GP. On good soil, the GP wins hands down. On rock or poor ground, the vertical dipole often performs as well or better. I'd suggest trying the dipole - you can always go back to the GP if needed.

Just made the switch to a vertical dipole myself after getting frustrated with radial deployment. Setup time went from 15 minutes to about 5. Haven't noticed any significant signal difference in my POTA activations. The convenience alone makes it worth it for me.