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What HF Mobile antenna?

Moleculo

Moleculo

Ham Radio Nerd
Apr 14, 2002
9,202
1,686
283
Well, ugly isn't so much the issue to me as price and convenience is. I think I've got a way to mount any of 'em, but I was hoping to not spend $400 for a mobile antenna. I realize that good price and convenience may not be the easiest combination in the world.



Maybe I'd be better off looking for used screwdriver types.....





Moleculo


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I'm looking at multiband mobile HF antennas to do 80-10 meters, and would like to hear some recommendations for an antenna at a decent price. Many of the large screwdriver antennas are ridiculous in price. The Outbacker looks decent, but it's also $270. What else is out there besides just buying a bunch of single band Hamsticks, which will also add up quick?



Moleculo


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Mole',

It just depends on how 'big-n-ugly' you can stand. Especially on HF, a mobile antenna is as efficient as it is 'big-n-ugly'. Probably the most efficient HF mobile antenna is a 'Texas BugCatcher', followed by a screwdriver, then maybe Hustler, and then the hamsticks and Outbackers, in that order.

Even at best, an HF mobile antenna is not very efficient. The lower the frequency, the less efficient it is. On 80 meters, the bugcatcher with the largest coil is only about 3 - 5% efficient. On the other end of the 'line', the Outbacker and hamsticks are maybe half that, literally.

You always pay for convenience. If you are not willing to get out and change antennna coil taps (bug catcher type antennas), or change resonators (hamsticks, outbacker types), then you are going to have to 'pay' for that convenience (screwdriver type antennas). If you don't do much frequency/band changing, the screwdriver antennas aren't your 'best' bargain. If you aren't too interested in 80 and 40 meters, then the hamsticks are probably the 'be$t' bargain. In performance (and my personal opinion) the Outbacker is never a bargain unless someone gives you one. They are just not a very 'good' HF antenna ($$ and performance wise).

I've used all of these antennas except for the OUtbacker, and I'm just too cheap to try it. The screwdriver was very convenient, re-tune by just flipping a switch a few times. But on 80 meters where I used most of the time, it's performance could certainly have been better. I have used a hamstick, and there are 'tricks' for making them more efficient on 80 and 40 meters, but they are very, very narrow banded. Move freq by a few KHZ and you have to re-tune. I have had the best performance with a bugcatcher antenna (remember, this is primarily on 80 meters). It works well on all the bands, but the difference is less noticable the higher you get in frequency. You do have to get out and change coil taps, though.

Perhaps the biggest problem is mechanical rather than electrical, mounting the @#$% things. The bugcather and screwdrivers are big, they catch a lot of wind, they need to be guyed and rigidly mounted. Some vehicles pose a larger problem than others. (Never could get the screwdriver mounted on my car, worked great on my truck.)



So, back to the original question... How much 'ugly' can you put up with?

- 'Doc



Truism:

An HF antenna is directly proportional to it's ugliness.




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Mole, Check your Pm`s/Email me.



73

Jeff


CDX 339

RadioActive



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I think my n9jmx screwdriver antennas are beautiful. Yes, I have two. Staniless steel and lexan. Mounted on trailer hitch. Wind drag is not a much as you would expect. Does require the heavy duty mount. No more drive thru at the fast food places and no more automatic car washes. Bigger is better when it comes to antennas, especially HF. Ugly is in the eye of the jealous person. Beauty is in the eye of the owner.



K3


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K3, are the n9jmx's that hard to remove for auto wash places?

I've been eyeing them heavily. I'm trading my F350 dually in and probably going to go with a single so I don't have to wait in line at the truck washes. I thought maybe if they were on a slideout type receiver all I would have to do was unhook the coax? Just curious.

Thanks


Jerry

CDX-350

2AK3350

RL39</p>
 
Yeah, I was looking at the 2" diameter, 4' shaft one for my Jeep. $400 for a new one = OUCH. Unless I can find a used one, I might have to get out the pocketbook....



Moleculo


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Yeah, Moleculo that's the one I'm thinking strongly about.



Doc, I'm probably the least true ham then, <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/smile.gif ALT=":)">

I work so many hours I don't have the time. I have the desire!



So if I go with the optional motor drive, all I would need to do is a quick connect inline so I can remove it easily for low overheads.



BTW... I thought on the N9JMX's is the motor control was another

$150 besides the $400 for the antenna? BIG OUCH!


Jerry

CDX-350

2AK3350

RL39</p>
 
Mole another antenna thats not quite as "UGLY" but is a tad pricey is the SGC 7 foot mobile whip, it operates 1.8-60 Mhz but you need to run a tuner,,,AH-4 so the antenna is about $450 and tuner is about $240 but its more XYL acceptable in appearance just not pocketbook cost. <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/roll.gif ALT=":rollin"> <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/happy.gif ALT=":D"> <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/tongue.gif ALT=":p"> <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/wink.gif ALT=";)">


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thats a MOTORIZED ROLLER INDUCTER option just for additional matching, not needed for operation. I talk to these guys on 75 meter everynight. Bob really knows his stuff and the best part is he will answer questions about the antenna on the air. Several guys on there that use the antenna and most are truck drivers and they are all over the place. go to the web page and read the shoot out contest info (shootout is the ham version of a keydown)



kj9t.150m.com/N9JMXs_Predator/index.html






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</p>Edited by: <A HREF=http://pub86.ezboard.com/bworldwidecbradioclub.showUserPublicProfile?gid=happyhamer>Happy Hamer</A> at: 1/27/04 9:30 pm
 
I did the hamstick thing for a while. You will only get a few khz bandwidth on 40 and 75 meters. Don’t think about running any power. But if you are new to low band mobile can’t really go wrong for $20. But I think they are considered the Antron 99 of the ham world.



My antenna of choice is the Hi-Q. You can put a caphat hat on it and give the bug catcher a run. I run nearly legal limit into one and get nothing but good signal reports. Before he came out with the 160 version I added another coil and caphats and would check into 160 nets on my drive home from work. I know I’m responsible for at least 4 being sold to those 160 guys. Read the EHAM reviews on Charlie, a real nice guy.



www.hiqantennas.com



One other thing, mobile on 40, 75 and 160 is not plug & play. It takes time to set up the antennas there.




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The whip is on a quick disconnect. Strong hands or a 9/16th and a 7/8th open wrench (cresents will work) and it is off in a flash. I put it on a trailer hitch and went to a welding shop and had them weld extra receivers just outside the trunk opening and the hatch opening on my vehicles. Quick disconnects on the 2 wires for up/down, 2 wires for revolution countings, 2 more for roller inductor (if you get that option) and the coax. Needed to put a pinch bolt on the receiver to take the flop out of the hitch. Additional ground wire required also. I can have it off the car in less than 5 minutes. Comes with manual (electric) tuning control. The auto controller, if you want it will depend on the radio you are using. The internal roller inductor is a new option. You would only need that for total flexability to cover all frequencies. The external shunt is manually adjustable by hand if needed. One adjustment per installation should be all that is needed. He is supposed to be working on making one that will tune from 10 thru 160 meter. I believe that will be more expensive.



I'll sell you mine for $600.00. <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/tongue.gif ALT=":b"> <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/wink.gif ALT=";)"> That will cover my inconvience of and cost of getting another one.



I have yet to see one of his screwdrivers for sale used. People tend to keep them for some reason.

Not like Atas 100's and 120's



K3


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