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who runs hf mobil

C

CDX1220

Active Member
Apr 2, 2005
174
4
28
california
looking to purchase an hf antenna for mobile looking at the scorpion,hs 1800, and tarheel 100,200. would like any input or pic of your set up. and please don't tell me to go to eham.net
just would like to see what people are running here who i can ask questions if needed. thanks
 

Two areas you really ought to consider. Where to mount the @#$ radio in a newer vehicle, and mounting/bracing the antenna.
The 'screwdriver' type antennas are wind catchers, you need a very strong mount, and bracing/guying (really).
"Where do I put the @#$ radio?" is a fairly easy thing to understand. Not so easy to actually 'do'. Good Luck! I may have solved my problem with that (maybe), ought'a know in a day or two, sort of. (Traded vehicles, this one's bigger, has a radio that takes up two 'DIN' mounting slots, gonna replace the radio (it died), the HF radio might fit in one of them 'DIN' holes!! I hope.)
There are two places to brace/guy an HF antenna, above or below the loading coil. The bottom brace has to be stronger than the top one, sort of. I've used a plexiglas brace below a loading coil, worked fine. Have also guyed above the loading coil. Also worked fine. Your choice. Biggest 'problem' is 'looks', but after breaking two ball-mounts I decided I didn't much care what the @#$ thing looked like as long as it didn't break and it worked. Again, your choice. (Use a metal mount, the plastic ones do break.)
Have also used a screwdriver on a pick-up. Braced it to the bed rail with a plexiglas brace. Worked okay. Couldn't figure out how to brace the thing on a car, went back to the 'BugCatcher' and a guy line.
My personal preference is/was the 'BugCatcher'. Didn't change bands all that often, and considering the prices, didn't mind stopping to do that changing. (Also melted the screw driver with too much power, no, it wasn't one of those you mentioned. Homebrewed it.)
Other thing to think about is 'where' you mount the thing. The rear bumper is convenient till you try getting into the trunk or drop the tailgate. RATS! The sides of the vehicle tend to be easier, just remember the thing is there and don't drag it off on something/someone!
If I can find them, I have a few pictures, I'll send (don't hold your breath) them.
Good luck and have fun!
- 'Doc
 
1220,

I am currently running a HS1800Pro. Control is with the N2VZ Turbo Tuner. http://www.n2vz.com/ I really like the convenience of just pressing the tune button on the rig and letting the Turbo Tuner do the work. I don't have to hold a toggle switch down or watch a counter to determine when the antenna is ready. When the CW tone ends the tuner gives a CW letter "K" to let me know it has found a proper match for the frequency I have dialed in. I have only had this antenna set up for about a month, but to date have been very pleased with its performance. I still need to take some pics of the antenna mounted on my PU. Just haven't been able to get around to it. I would strongly encourage you (if you haven't already done so) to visit Allen Applegate's site http://www.k0bg.com/ on mobile installs there is a wealth of information there that will help you not make some common mistakes when doing a proper HF mobile install. Pay particular attention to the section on bonding. Here are a few pics from my Icom install-http://www.webshots.com/search?query=resopkr&new=1&source=chromeheader

As Allen states on his site, mobile installs can vary in their complexity and price. If you are going to use a screwdriver antenna it needs to be done properly so that you can get the best efficiency from its operation. If you need any questions answered that can't be answered at K0BQ's site I'll be glad to try and answer some of your questions.

Hope this helps!

73

Wayne C.
 
I run a ft857 and an ATAS 120a antenna held on with a K400c. I love my setup!! I use this in an 89 bronco, and the antenna is mounted on the passenger side hood about 6 inches from the rear of the hood on the side. I know this isnt the ideal ground plane for the anten na but I didnt want to drill holes. The antenna tunes great to all bands between 440 and 40m(even 11 meter) It took some time but I finnally have the 857 sounding pretty good on AM. Not no connex by any means but close to say a cobra 200dx. It sits at 15watts and hits about 65 on the peaks. SSB is around 110watts. As for the antenna and mount I love em. Witht the atas series antennas, there is no power wire to run, only the coax. I didnt have to drill holes and the compact design is great. I have used my atas on all the bands and have made som impressive contacts all over the states and allot of South America and Europe. And all this at the bottom of the sunspot cycle. As for the local chatter, I hit repeaters with no problem and have talked over 40 miles on 11 meter AM with no prob. Ive heard people complain of this antenna failing and getting water into it, but I have driven across country in the dead of winter through snow ice and freezing rain and it has never missed a beat. The best thing is its compact size!! If I end up parking in an area I dont like, I just unscrew the ant. and lay it under the back seat and put the rain cap on the Diamond k400c mount.
My advice is, if you dont plan on doing 80 or 160 meter then get this antenna. It is XYL friendly and works great! Best of luck
73's
 
EDUK8TR said:
1220,

I am currently running a HS1800Pro. Control is with the N2VZ Turbo Tuner. http://www.n2vz.com/ I really like the convenience of just pressing the tune button on the rig and letting the Turbo Tuner do the work. I don't have to hold a toggle switch down or watch a counter to determine when the antenna is ready. When the CW tone ends the tuner gives a CW letter "K" to let me know it has found a proper match for the frequency I have dialed in. I have only had this antenna set up for about a month, but to date have been very pleased with its performance. I still need to take some pics of the antenna mounted on my PU. Just haven't been able to get around to it. I would strongly encourage you (if you haven't already done so) to visit Allen Applegate's site http://www.k0bg.com/ on mobile installs there is a wealth of information there that will help you not make some common mistakes when doing a proper HF mobile install. Pay particular attention to the section on bonding. Here are a few pics from my Icom install-http://www.webshots.com/search?query=resopkr&new=1&source=chromeheader

As Allen states on his site, mobile installs can vary in their complexity and price. If you are going to use a screwdriver antenna it needs to be done properly so that you can get the best efficiency from its operation. If you need any questions answered that can't be answered at K0BQ's site I'll be glad to try and answer some of your questions.

Hope this helps!

73

Wayne C.
Click to expand...
thanks for the info . i have been and read all the info on k0bq's site thats where i got the scorpion from.i like your install. i too have the icom 706mkllg so location will not be a problem. just the mount for the antenna and which one. then doing the bonding correctly
 
I had a 706 mounted in my Jeep. If you go to ebay and look for the cup holder mount, it is great for mounting the face plate. Cost is minimal and makes for a neat install. You neglected to mention the type of vehicle you will be mounting to. I have a ATAS 120A mounted to the drivers side of my back hatch using a K400C Mount. Hatch is bonded to the body. One strap from the mount to the body and one from the hatch on the opposite side to the body.
 
I run a 706mkiig with an Ameritron AL-500 amp, with a Hi-Q 4-80 antenna. I also have it set up to be able to quickly plug in a computer to do digital modes when I need to while parked. I can also throw in a TNC in a hurry to handle winlink, or any of the other ARQ digital modes.
 
KI4MSJ said:
I had a 706 mounted in my Jeep. If you go to ebay and look for the cup holder mount, it is great for mounting the face plate. Cost is minimal and makes for a neat install. You neglected to mention the type of vehicle you will be mounting to. I have a ATAS 120A mounted to the drivers side of my back hatch using a K400C Mount. Hatch is bonded to the body. One strap from the mount to the body and one from the hatch on the opposite side to the body.
Click to expand...
o6 Hyundai sonata or a dodge 88 ram van
 
moleculo said:
I run a 706mkiig with an Ameritron AL-500 amp, with a Hi-Q 4-80 antenna. I also have it set up to be able to quickly plug in a computer to do digital modes when I need to while parked. I can also throw in a TNC in a hurry to handle winlink, or any of the other ARQ digital modes.
Click to expand...
mole do you have any pics?
 
EDUK8TR said:
1220,

I am currently running a HS1800Pro. Control is with the N2VZ Turbo Tuner. http://www.n2vz.com/ I really like the convenience of just pressing the tune button on the rig and letting the Turbo Tuner do the work. I don't have to hold a toggle switch down or watch a counter to determine when the antenna is ready. When the CW tone ends the tuner gives a CW letter "K" to let me know it has found a proper match for the frequency I have dialed in. I have only had this antenna set up for about a month, but to date have been very pleased with its performance. I still need to take some pics of the antenna mounted on my PU. Just haven't been able to get around to it. I would strongly encourage you (if you haven't already done so) to visit Allen Applegate's site http://www.k0bg.com/ on mobile installs there is a wealth of information there that will help you not make some common mistakes when doing a proper HF mobile install. Pay particular attention to the section on bonding. Here are a few pics from my Icom install-http://www.webshots.com/search?query=resopkr&new=1&source=chromeheader

As Allen states on his site, mobile installs can vary in their complexity and price. If you are going to use a screwdriver antenna it needs to be done properly so that you can get the best efficiency from its operation. If you need any questions answered that can't be answered at K0BQ's site I'll be glad to try and answer some of your questions.

Hope this helps!

73

Wayne C.
Click to expand...


4/30/08

1220,

Just added two new albums of pics of my install.

HS1800Pro install http://good-times.webshots.com/album/563222040MWfVGD

Bonding
http://good-times.webshots.com/album/563222137yEpdRE

73

Wayne C.
 

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