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Swan HF Mobile Antenna, What Model is this?

kb0cir

Member
Apr 21, 2011
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Is there anyone out there that may be familiar with the Swan HF Mobile Antenna that is a spider in design. It covers 10-15-20 & 40 Mtrs. The main vertical resonator is for 40 Mtrs then there are 3 shorter horizontal resonators for the other 3 bands. It has an adjustable whip for fine tuning. Each of the resonators for 10, 15, & 20 have a small approximately 3" long bolt on the end for tuning. It has the red & silver oval SWAN Logo on the 40 Mtr resonator and just above the base. I searched the internet and everywhere I could think of and I have not been able to find out what model it is. I would like to find a manual for it that may tell how long the whip needs to be for each band and such, making it a little easier to tune. It is the predecessor to the Model 45, which was similar to the Bug Catcher. I had one of those but I sold it when I took my Mobile HF out in 2004. That is when I went from a Mercury Mountaineer SUV to a Ford Taurus car then in '07 I ended loosing all of my mobile rigs when I got a Ford Focus. I couldn't even have my 2-mtrs in that. For some reason the electronics in the Focus(or at least ours) locks up rigs from about 146.2 Mhz to about 147.7 Mhz. My xyl has one too and we can't even use an HT in that. Well now I have an F-250 and am getting my Classic HF Mobile "A Swan Astro 150 with ST-3 Tuner and the Swan Antenna" put in. I would really like to find out a bit more about this antenna.

I am guessing that it came out sometime in the mid to late '60s. If you have some old QST or CQ you may find it in there. I have never used it, as I got it for a back up. Back in '91 or '92, I made a trade with a friend that had got it from his Uncle. It has been setting in my basement since.

If someone knows ANYTHING about this antenna, I would be very grateful for any info you can provide. If you want to see it, e-mail me and I will send you a pic.

TNX
73 & 99,
KBØCIR

PS. Does anyone know where I can get a 3/8 x 24 antenna lug (all thread bolt)? I must have left the lug for my Hustler 80 mtr resonator in the mount when I sold my SUV back in '04. I can find all kinds of nuts but no bolts.
 

About that '3/8 x 24 antenna lug (all thread bolt)'. If you don't mind spending a bit 'extra', and doing a little work, I've found that a 'shackle' type half-'U' shaped thingy works just dandy if oneof th threaded ends is cut off (use that part). they are 'hardened', won't snap in two as I've had one of the 'regular' type do. If that's too much trouble (don't blame you), then most places that sell antennas have those 'studs', ask them. That auto-parts house 'shackle' was all that I could find locally.

About the 'Swantenna', they were an un-motorized screwdriver antenna, sort of. Depending on the length of the attached whip, they typically covered 80 through 10 meters. No idea what the power handling capability was but they would certainly work for a typical mobile radio. I figure something on the order of 100 - 300(?) watts would be fine. Like most screwdriver type antennas, keeping the 'contact' (finger-stock) between coil and 'tube' clean is a very nice idea. Guying them is something to keep in mind for several reasons. Marking the spots for various frequency resonance points is also a nice idea. Finding those resonance points the first time it a PITA, but after that it's just a matter of going back to them. (A quick-n-dirty method is adjusting for max noise is a 'ball-park' way of finding the 'right spot', then adjust for best performance.)
Have fun!
- 'Doc

(If you decide you don't like it and want to make a charitable donation... I accept charity in that form!)
 
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Back in the day, that address would have been a Scottsdale address, now it is considered Paradise valley, not very far from one of Rob Walton's homes. (Walmart)

Up the road from there is a home that looks like a ham operators dream home, the antenna farm would make most ham's drool. You can tell that the individual has lived there before the multimillion dollar homes were built in spittin' distance...he has a beautiful home, well kept, just older, and probably a guy I could relate to more than his neighbors.
 
Thanks for the replies, That's the Swantenna 45

Hey Everyone,

I appreciate all the replies. The Antenna that is shown and mentioned here is the Swantenna Model 45. That is the one that I had and sold in '04. I know I said it was like a "bug catcher", I later realized I should have said "screwdriver". :oops: I believe the bug catcher is the one with the capacitance hat. The one I'm trying to find info on is the predecessor to that one. I will post some pics of it asap. If anyone is familiar with the antenna mentioned please post any info you have.

As for the 3/8 x 24 antenna lug bolt, I was not able to find just the bolt so on 4-21 I bought a new mount for $10, a very good bargain.

TNX AGN

Jim
 
Hey Doc,

Thanks for your's and everyone else that has helped.

They antenna that Senator Goldwater & I had is the Model 45. That is the one I sold in '04. The one I now have is the predecessor to that. I will post photos asap.

As for the lug bolt, I found a whole new mount for $10 and got that.

TNX AGN

Jim
 
Swan HF Mobile Antenna Model 45E, Please help


I acquired part of a Swan Model 45 at a flea market . The coil
and slider mechanism.

I've looked everywhere on the net - not
and I'm wondering if someone, somewhere, might have information
on this antenna from back in the 1970s and 80s.
what are the missing pieces, dimensions?

Thanks in advance for the help!
DL2AMM
Med (Manfred)
TNX, VY 73 !
 
Hi,
thanks for the info, at the bottom is a strong spring, the coil on the rod - it's unclear how long because I nut then TEST. (y)
Best wishes!
Med
DL2AMM
 
WB6NVB

I saw this post today, I guess a few years late--the model you are looking for appears to be a Swan Antenna Model M34. I have one. Used it a lot, but have another currently. I still have the M34 with 40/20/15/10 coils. Never could find an 80 or 160 coil. Hope this helps
 

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