Sorry to hear that it didn't go well. I have made a few T2LTs before. Most recently I tested one out in my yard attached to just a piece of PVC in a tripod on the ground. I was able to talk with locals ~5-15 miles that day and I was just messing around for a half and hour or so trying to make a couple of contacts.
Here is some info on the T2LT that also links a video
https://simonthewizard.com/2015/12/13/t2lt-antenna-how-to-make-swr-use/
in fact..here is an older post on this board about them
http://www.worldwidedx.com/threads/homebrew-t2lt-dipole-and-3el-skypper-beam.181876/
I suppose there are some other antenna options that can be deployed in the field pretty easily - but a dipole is pretty easy to stow away. The t2lt is a cinch to set up and is light as hell. Wire ties to a piece of fence will work due to its low weight for instance.
Here is some info on the T2LT that also links a video
https://simonthewizard.com/2015/12/13/t2lt-antenna-how-to-make-swr-use/
in fact..here is an older post on this board about them
http://www.worldwidedx.com/threads/homebrew-t2lt-dipole-and-3el-skypper-beam.181876/
I suppose there are some other antenna options that can be deployed in the field pretty easily - but a dipole is pretty easy to stow away. The t2lt is a cinch to set up and is light as hell. Wire ties to a piece of fence will work due to its low weight for instance.