|
New to Ham Radio?
My Profile
Community
Articles
Forums
News
Reviews
Friends Remembered
Speak Out
Strays
Survey Question
Operating
Contesting
DX Cluster Spots
Propagation
Resources
Calendar
Classifieds
Ham Exams
Ham Links
List Archives
News Articles
Product Reviews
QSL Managers
Site Info
eHam Help (FAQ)
Support the site
The eHam Team
Advertising Info
Vision Statement
About eHam.net
|
HF Mobile Install??
John C. McGrath (W9JCM)
on
November 14, 2000
View comments about this article!
Well, I always said I would not run mobile HF. But since my problems with my landlord I just couldn't resist it. So I looked around for a rig first off and compared the Icom 706MKII or the FT100. I figured that I would not use 440 all mode much in a mobile so went for a used MKII. All I was concerned with was that I had DSP. My IC-746's DSP is wonderful.
Next was antenna and mounting. I have a 2000 Toyota Tacoma 4x4 with an extra cab. I thought I should go with a ham stick - no, that would mean I would have to get out and change antennas for different bands. I didn't want the ugly screwdriver but I knew it worked well but I still wanted 2/6 meters in one antenna. I found 2 antennas: one being the Comet CA-HV for $134.95 from HRO or, the Diamond HV7A for $109.95. I then went on the web to do my homework. I looked for reviews on the products both good and bad. And I found that a lot of amateurs didn't care for the Comet. The main reason was that the tuning was bad news also; its hardware keeps coming loose. On the other hand the HV7A only came with 440/2m/6/10. And if I wanted to use any other bands I would have to buy Loading coils. So I checked around and really didn't find anything negative about this one. So I decided to get it with a 20m and, 40m loading coils. Now for the big one; how was I going to mount this darn thing and still make this truck look somewhat normal? I didn't care for the lip type mounts out there so I went with a 4-magnet mount setup.
Ok so, I have my rig installed in the truck, and coax run, the triplexer hooked up (I have a MCX 100 for 440 FM). I get the magnet mount and oops! I have a SO- 239 facing upward and a stud kit??? How the heck was I going to do this? I misunderstood when ordering the mount. The SO-239 seemed very strong so I cut a new chunk of Belden RG8X and soldered it to the center conductor then took an eye ring with shield to one of the bolts holding the SO-239. Threw it up on the roof. Putting together the HV7A was a breeze so no problems there. I screwed it on and turned on the rig. Well it was a bummer. 2 meters looked good, but HF was 3:1 or worse. I had a problem! By now it was dark out and I was ready to throw this project in the radio trash heap. But, my good wife Joann told me to sleep on it and calm down. So I took her advice.
The next morning I had time to plan out my strategy. I went to the local electronic store and bought some grounding strap. I was then off to the hardware store to get some self-tapping bolts and some nice washers. Then I took off the mount and checked the jumper I made. It looked great - no shorts, hmmm.. but wait a little jiggle and, aha! a short! Ok - one down! A new silver connector soldered on and that's A-OK. Next, some weather-proof sealant on the center conductor. Then drill a hole in the bar on the mount and put the grounding strap on it with a big fat washer. Now another brain storm; what if this thing doesn't have enough ground yet? Ok, a jumper from the ground strap to the SO-239 and shield of the coax. Now that looked good in my mind. A little more silicone and we are off to the truck again.
Everything back on and, then I ran the grounding strap through the bed/cap spacing right down to the frame. Don't forget to sand that paint off John. Grabbed a self-tapper with another big washer and drilled it in. Surprisingly the bolt went in pretty easy I guess the Toyota metal isn't like an old 72 Buick frame. Now with the no extra loading coils on I look at it with the MFJ-269. HF is still crummy! What do I do now? I took the 6 meter stinger out of its slot and replaced it with a short one from the 20meter coil. And to my amazement I had good SWR from 50-52mhz. OK, now I know what I have to do. That's a lot of trimming of stingers. So one by one I had to cut them all 6M, 10M, 20M and 40M. Now they all are perfect in the portion of the bands I wanted to talk on. The bandwidth isn't too bad either for a 54" antenna. Happy at last but wait!
That darn grounding strap looks terrible. I have the coax and the strap going down my back sliding window. So what I did was wrap the strap and coax with some premium electrical tape (sorry techs no shrink wrap). Just down to the level where u can't see it.
All in all, it was an experience. However, I am happy with the final outcome. The first contact was Caracas Venezuela on 10 meters. I hope this may help some hams deciding on setups for their mobiles.
73! and happy mobile hamming!
This article has expired. No more comments may be added.
|
HF Mobile Install??
|
|
|
by N3SOK on November 14, 2000
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
John, good article. I wonder if the same process would also work on the Diamond MV3A. Mine also refuses to tune on six FM. The key is a good ground. You found that and corrected it, I have an aluminum rack I built for the SO239 mount. Even so it does not want to tune, I'll try your approach, 73 Jerry.
|
| |
|
RE: HF Mobile Install??
|
|
|
by NY7Q on November 14, 2000
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
|
John, you would've had a easy install and No tuning problems with a screwdriver. Been running one on each of my rigs for 5-6 years and its the best mobile use I have found. I use a DK-3 clone, which I built myself for under $75.00 Happy Mobiling....
|
| |
|
HF Mobile Install??
|
|
|
by N6MAI on November 14, 2000
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
You do realize, of course, that a really short HF verticle will not have a 1:1 swr. (hustlers don't count, they use resistive wire in the coils) Try getting a grid-dip meter, and using proper coupling, figure out the RESONANCE of the antenna. You will find that when the antenna is resonant where you need it to be, it WILL NOT present a 50 ohm match to the rig. Impedance matching at the base of the antenna will need to be done to get the job done properly. Trimming the antenna one way or the other may change the match to the rig, but will not allow the antenna to be nearly as efficient as it could be. (this applies to all the screwdriver antenna folks, too) Please check out Don Johnson's book "40 years of HF mobileering" He is in my opinion, the authority on HF mobile antenna systems, and I have learned much studying his books.
cheers/73 de N6MAI
|
| |
|
RE: HF Mobile Install??
|
|
|
by W9JCM on November 15, 2000
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
|
I used a mfj 269 for all the tuning. And the antenna has proven to work great. As for a screwdriver i would of opted for that except i wanted a all in one antenna and the screwdriver doesnt do 2/440 and u have to remove the whip for 6. So that was out for me.
|
| |
|
RE: HF Mobile Install??
|
|
|
by KK7IH on November 15, 2000
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
I have found that keeping things simple is always the best way. It sounds like you have done that John and that you are now having good results. I personally use a OutBacker Perth Plus but one has to get out and change the bannana plug to change bands. Not a big deal since it only takes a second to do. The performance is great and and I get good results. Fro mounting I needed something that I could easily move from one vehicle to another so I went to the local truck stop and bought a vice-grip clamp with a "L" bracket welded to it and a stud already installed. I put the OutBacker on it and know I can move it to which ever Vehicle I want with ease. To give myself more bandwidth I bought a MFJ 945E antenna tuner which is mounted to the top of my Kenwood TS-530. This is an inexpensive manual antenna tuner that works great on all of HF and 6 meters too. I find it to be a great asset to my mobile station.
Hope you enjoy HF mobiling.
Glen KK7IH
|
| |
|
HF Mobile Install??
|
|
|
by N6JSX on November 15, 2000
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
I've been running mobile for a number of years. But recently I redone my mobile station with the goal of economics and good operating band width/radiation. I found an IC-706 (non-MK) on QRZ for $550 in great shape. I would have purchased a 706 MKII but the DSP operates very poorly on SSB.
I use a W9GR DSP II $80 which really is needed to eliminate the road/engine/wind static noises.
The LDG Electronics AT-11MP - a lil bigger than the 706 but worth every $230, and it allows me to use the 706 tune botton - WOW.
Another critical item in mobile operations is a GOOD speaker - I bought the RadioShack 4" mobile mountable speaker and put it directly behind my head wedged between my seat and head rest. This good speaker really makes a work of difference.
The radios are mounted in a stack DSP on top, 706 in the middle, and AT-11MP on the bottom. I got a pedistal mount and placed the mount between the two front seats (in front of my arm rest making it very comfortable for my arm and easy hand controling). On the pedistal mount I installed a Diawa coax switch for the two antenna systems on my car.
I was considering the Yaesu FT-100 (as my base rig is a FT-767GX) but the FT-100 display is very poor in sun light/pixels and I did not like the control botton placements/use. I went with the 706 due to a good used deal and a very good display but I was one day away from purchasing the Alinco DX-70TH.
On the Back of my Taurus wagon I had some metal "L" brackets weld on the installed trailer hitch, The pieces stick out past the bumper about 6". I mounted RadioShack feedthru's [SO-239 to 3/8" thread P/N 21-961] that allows a Hustler mobile masts or HAM-Stick antennas.
Antenna system:
Hustler 5' MO-3 54" mobile mast, the Hustler tri-plate mount, and Hustler 20m, 17m, & 10m resonators mounted on the tri-plate. Holding the tri-plate to the mobile mast I use a 75m HAM-Stick antenna. This gives me four bands at a push of a botton. The extra 54" mobile mast seems to really help my 75m operations. I adjusted the antennas for the specific SSB frequencies (without using the antenna tuner). A piece of marine nylon rope running fro the tri-plate to my car roof rack to assist in minimizing the road speed wind loading that this antenna will catch.
I used the HAM-Stick on 75m for a few reasons; the very low wind loading, broader band width vs. a Huslter Super resonators, and a longer antenna equating to more radiation area.
On the otherside of my car is a 40m HAM-stick. The performance is not as very good so I will be adding a huslter 54" mobile mast to raise the HAM-stick clear of my car.
My favorite band is 17m and I have been working the world in my daily 2 hours of commuting between Manitowoc and Milwaukee. Now that the sun is going down by 1700 hours I get to rag chew on 3913 getting good signal reports from my bare foot mobile.
Oh - do I get comments on my car - you bet. For some reason total strangers seem to throw mildly derogatory comments at me about my car antennas. Often they ask me "If I have enough antennas?" My reply is usually, "NO - I'm planning on adding a few more!" Like my 2m "T" hunting Quad after I drill the hole in my roof and mount the marine gas fitting like my last car. My car sports Amateur Radio call plates and even have a bumper sticker on my rear window that states "Vietnam Veteran on HAM Radio". Yes, I do have HAM Insurance and always lock my car or remove the IC-706 face place when out on the town - reducing temptations!!!
de Kuby, N6JSX /9
|
| |
|
HF Mobile Install??
|
|
|
by K3SUI on November 16, 2000
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
|
It's depressing to read about folks wanting a mobile antenna that work 80 meters through 440 !! Lets get real here!! Although you may find antennae that profess to do this, are they really putting out a decent signal or merely warming up your coax at one end of the frequency range or the other? Losses, folks, losses, losses, losses!!! Operating from 40 through 10 meters with a short antenna is actually quite a feat for any antenna to perform. VHF and UHF bands deserve their own antenna... and coax!! I'm not saying that it's impossible to make a contact with these DC to Light antennae, but you will not be putting out much of a signal... nor will you be hearing as much. Ham radio is not just throwing things together to get a signal on the air ... but to make them work with some efficiency.
|
| |
|
RE: HF Mobile Install??
|
|
|
by W9JCM on November 16, 2000
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
Barry,
I appreciate your view on the moblie antenna. BUT, it works, it works just fine on all bands. I refuse to put a piece of $%#@ looking bugcatcher or something of that sort on my nice new truck and then put another antenna for 2/440 use or even another for 6M. I do know there is probably about 5% effec. of this sort of antenna but, its better than looking like a 4 wheel porcupine. I am a business man and have to keep a somewhat decent appearance thats another reason for the use of this. Lets face it ANY yes ANY hf antenna for mobile use is a BIG compromise. I dont have any problems with the set up I am happy with it. I have worked all over the world with it. Thanks for your interest here.
|
| |
|
RE: HF Mobile Install??
|
|
|
by N6MAI on November 16, 2000
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
"Works just fine" ??!!! Compared to what? That's a rather subjective remark. I respect the "appearance is everything" attitude, but I'm a died in the wool "Performance is everything" kind of guy.....
73, N6MAI 8-)
|
| |
|
HF Mobile Install??
|
|
|
by KB9UMT on November 18, 2000
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
|
Thanks for the good read John! I like reading the articles. It seems to me it is a shame that you have to defend how and what you used for your mobile operation...if you are happy with it that is all that matters (seems like you did your home work and you knew what you wanted and would fit your situation). Sounds like you are having fun mobile and that others my get some ideas on doing just the same.
|
| |
|
HF Mobile Install??
|
|
|
by W4WLZ on November 18, 2000
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
|
I bought the Yaesu FT 100D as the ATAS antenna system is controlled from the radio itself.. It is so easy to tune any freq. from 440 to 40 meters Just dial up the freq and touch one button and you are there. SWR is always 1:1 and you can see that on the display. I usually don't need 75 meters until after dark and I am home by then, so it works well for me.. I think this is the thing Mobile Ham Radio has needed for years. I have tried ham sticks and all other types and this is by far the most simple and efficient combination going.
|
| |
|
HF Mobile Install??
|
|
|
by WA4CNG on November 18, 2000
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
|
I also went HF mobile this year after a self-imposed absence of more than 30 years. Read lots of reviews, went to ham sticks (500 watts will melt some but not all others). I have a FT-100 driving an ALS500. Hamsticks are mounted on a 3x mag mount on rear roof of Ford Explorer. Work mostly 20 meters, sometimes 40 and 10. What I really wanted was a Webster Band Spanner, which I had one of in the mid 60's, talk about a really good antenna, but not manufactured anymore. I have heard that the Bug Catcher is supposed to be better, but have not had a chance to test one. Screwdrivers are good for the 100+ watt folks, although some run 500+ into them. Nothing beats a resonant antenna, that stays in one piece and performs. Yes, I ocasionally stop and swap Hamsticks when the notion hits.
|
| |
|
HF Mobile Install??
|
|
|
by KC5MFA on December 19, 2000
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
John,
I really enjoyed reading about your mobile HF setup. I'm contemplating doing one myself in my 1995 Dodge Ram. I plan on buying at Dayton. I really like the FT-100D and ATAS system but I'm somewhat gun-shy about that radio given it's past history of problems. I've about talked myself into the 706 Mk 2G and Outbacker Perth+ for HF & 6 and my currently mounted Diamond SG7900 for 2 and 440. I'm also looking at the Kenwood TS-50 and Alinco DX-70TH. So many choices... no wonder they call radio shops candy stores!
Thanks to you and the others for posting your experiences and opinions. This is what ham radio is all about.
73 de Don, KC5MFA
|
| |
|
RE: HF Mobile Install??
|
|
|
by M5AIO on December 20, 2000
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
Hello Larry
Perhaps you could mail me as I am interested in your screwdriver experiences.
Thanks
Jeff
jeff@dixonet.freeserve.co.uk
|
| |
|
RE: HF Mobile Install??
|
|
|
Anonymous post on December 20, 2000
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
Died in the wool???
Died with the opinion that nothing but perfection is any good!!
Think I will have my antenna Dyed.........
Byed.......
|
| |
|
RE: HF Mobile Install??
|
|
|
by K4ZZR on December 24, 2000
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
I also recently installed an HF mobile rig. I'm using the Icom 706mk2g into a High Sierra HS-1500 screwdriver on my Honda Accord EX coupe! Yep, it sticks up in the air pretty far from the hitch mount, but man, what a conversation piece! I'm also using a Larsen NMO 2/440 permanently mounted on the roof. I spend several hours a day in my car and it's a snap changing bands with the HS-1500 and the HS-Tune device which knocks the power down on the 706 to 10 watts for 20 seconds allowing me to quickly tune the antenna.
But what I wanted to mention is how my ears would literally become numb from all the static on the bands after an hour or so of listening. I've gotten the ignition noise under control and on a quiet road (away from powerlines and other cars) the noise level is only about an S3.
But the high-pitched noise from powerlines, static and other cars, really lowered my enjoyment of HF mobiling....until I got a ClearSpeech DSP speaker about two weeks ago. It's about $145, but oh what a difference it makes! Now listening to the bands for extending periods is a real joy. It automatically removes all that static for a smooth mellow audio output from its speaker. (no I don't work for them). Just thought I'd throw this in for anyone else experiencing acute trauma to the eardrums. :-)
73 and happy mobiling,
David, K4ZZR
|
| |
|
So Much Trouble?
|
|
|
by NM6E on December 27, 2000
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
Sounds like to much trouble to go through to get "reasonable" performance! Everything is a compromise and so are looks as another gentleman wrote "he's a business man" and doesn't want to put up unsightly atennas on his vehicle. I agree.
To sum it up, this past weekend I installed my "never mobile, never used ATAS-10o and FT-100" combo and to my amazement, in less than 1 hour, everything was up adn running and an extended drive from San Francisco to Santa Monica and the 40-70cm "EASE OF OEPRATION" was GREAT. The best thing is, my truck still looks great and "not as bad looking" with all those antennas for HF, VHF/UHF!
The ATAS-100 is mounted on the "hood" of my F-150 pick up with a Diamond K-400C and a ground strap is attached to the chasis of the truck under the hood!
I like my FT-100 and ATAS-100 Combo. Never had any problems with the FT-100 radio SN# 9F+ and I am VERY happy with it's perfomance given the compromise and desire to have "ONE" antenna to do all!
I use to go HF mobile while in college from San Francisco to San Luis Obispo, CA, using a Yaesu FT-757GX, SPIDER 10-40 Antenna (never had to get out to switch resonators!) but then came the "extra" antennas for 2/440... Luckily, the car was given to me by my parents and I could put anything I wanted 1976 Cutlass Oldsmobile 4 door, plenty of steel and space all over!
Good luck to all in the qwest for a decent HF mobile station!!
Javier NM6E
|
| |
|
HF Mobile Install??
|
|
|
by KD5EZK on March 20, 2001
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
|
I have been an HF mobileer for about a year now, but I really didn't get the feel for HF until recently. I chose mobile because I am active duty military and figured this would be easier than frequent station set-ups, how to use an antenna in an apartment, etc.... I chose the FT-100/ATAS-100 setup and have enjoyed it immensely. Yes, I have had some trouble getting all the performance I want, dealing with noise, tuning problems and such, but I have logged 58 countries in the last three weeks (mostly on 10 meters), and the Z3 contact while going down the highway to work gave me a charge. I'm hooked on DX now.....
|
| |
|
HF Mobile Install??
|
|
|
by KA1BQJ on November 9, 2001
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
I've had the HV7A for about a month now. I purchased the additional 17 and 40 meter coils, the Diamond K400c mount, the C110 extension cable and the MX-62M duplexer. The total dollar amount for everything was pretty expensive when you add everything up. My rig is a ICOM 706MKIIG. Tuning the antenna took some time and I was suprised as to how much triming was needed for the 6M - 40 tuning stubs. My car is a 1999 Honda Accord. Since I was bit reluctant to start cutting, I used straighened paper clips (yes, that's right) to get me in the "ball park" for the length of each stub.
Performance of the antenna has been great. I've compared it to my base antenna (Lazy-H) and I'm very impressed with the HV7A. Bandwidth is as advertised and I've had many domestic and DX contacts. Nice antenna, Diamond and it looks great too!
|
| |
|
Email Subscription
You are not subscribed to discussions on this article.
Subscribe!
My Subscriptions
Subscriptions Help
Related News & Articles
The Mobile Ham Installation
Needed - A New Mobile Antenna Paradigm
VHF/UHF/HF Unicycle Mobile Anyone?
Rare Pedestrian Mobile Contact with UK
I Have a Thing About Grounds
Other How To Articles
Which Battery Should You Use?
A New Twist Around HOA Restrictions:
Maximizing Efficiency in HF Mobile Antennas
IC-706 Linear Amp Keying Circuit
What Antenna Restrictions?
|
|
|
