So after reading their manual, and watching their video a couple times, I am pretty sure I can build this thing. I would need to get a mirror mount for the vertical, mount four 30-foot radials under the delrin washer, and then find an eight foot telescoping whip. That can all be mounted to my existing tripod.

The missing piece to all of this is what exactly the "Alpha Match" tuner is. If I just use a regular LDG tuner, I should be able to replicate the performance of their antenna, right?

I'm a total noob at antenna building, so any expertise is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Mike
KC9JBY

Hi all,
I don't have a permanent HF station at home, and am thinking about putting together a "temporary" setup that I can set up in the evening after the kids go to bed, or take on the road on vacation.

I saw the Alpha ProMaster online today (https://amateurradiostore.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2&products_id=158) and was intrigued. It looks surprisingly simple, and the performance reviews here are great. There are a couple of hang ups that I have.

1) The price. $350 seems pretty steep.

2) I already have a tripod and mast setup that I use for 2M and 440 that could be re-purposed for HF.

Is anyone aware of any plans online that duplicate this type of setup? I am sure I could fabricate something given the right set of plans.

Thanks,
Mike

I took the suggestions offered here, and recommended the "modified" AS2259 crossed dipole. The problem now is that the team thinks that the antenna footprint is HUGE. I tried explaining to them how HF radio worked, and all I got was "that footprint is the size of our field hospital".

So back to the drawing board. Is there a way to make a vertical work for what we are trying to do? They talked about being able to mount a whip to the Mobile Command Center, which is similar to a FEMA trailer. There should be plenty of steel to ground to, but I don't know how effective a whip would be for communicating over only a couple of hundred miles (ie NVIS). I have already explained what will be lost by not using a proper antenna, and now they are talking about ditching the ham equipment all together if I can't make it work in a small foot print.

What other ideas do you guys have?

Thanks so much for all of the assistance.

Mike

WB6BYU - This is great information. Thanks for pointing this out.

Mike

This has been a great learning experience so far.  I think what I will end up doing is getting a mast of some kind, around 20' in length. From it, I will suspend one of the multitude of NVIS antennas for 40 & 80 meters that can be found online, from it.  With a tuner, I should be able to work some of the other bands, right? Since most, if not all communications would occur within 200 miles, I think this might fill our requirements nicely.

What do you think?

Hi Team,
I am a member of a support organization for the Illinois Terrorism Task Force. Apparently I am the only ham on the team, so I have been given a task. A couple of years ago, the team purchased a Yaseu FT-450 (not the D) and a PTCIIPro pactor controller. Everything is mounted in a Gator Case rack case. The guy that started the project left the team years ago.

The Pactor controller has never been connected, and is a whole separate project. I want to get the FT-450 on the air.

The antenna that the team selected was a Perth Plus from Outbacker. The mount they chose was a Tram 3 magnet mobile mount like this:
http://cdn2.bigcommerce.com/server1600/d4c67/products/831/images/1324/gm300t__74268.1342377279.1280.1280.jpg

I tossed the antenna and mount out in the front yard yesterday, and was able to hear people a couple hundred miles away (conversation between Ohio and St. Louis, and I am in northern Illinois). I didn't key up out of fear that the SWR and grounding was inadequate.

Is this setup adequate? Do I need to create any type of radial plate, or counterpoise? The instructions for the Outbacker are really focused on mobile mounting, and not so much base station mounting.

Secondly, should the station itself be grounded somehow? I just feel like the setup that they handed me to evaluate looks good in theory, but in practice, it needs a lot of attention. Sorry for the litany of questions. I got my General ticket this summer, but have never actually used my new privileged.

Thanks for your assistance,
Mike

Guys, thanks for all of the responses. Although I agree that there will be some loss using a PL-239, I live in Metro Chicago, and there are LOTS of repeater sites that I can readily access on just a portable. Because of the density of sites, it may not make that big of a difference. Do you agree?

Mike F

I am not looking to start a fight or debate, I just have a legitimate questions about these 2 types of connectors. I am considering putting up a more substantial antenna this summer, and they come in N-type or SO-239 flavors. From everything that I have read, it seems that the N-type is the best connector for VHF and UHF bands (HF is not a concern for me). BUT, my radio has a 239 connector on the back. Is there a point (other than weatherproofness) to use an N-type connector at the antenna if I am going to have reduced performance at the back of the rig itself? Maybe I missed something along the way.

Thanks for the input,
Mike
KC9JBY

I am a fairly new ham, and have not set up a shack yet. I have been considering a couple of different setups, and have run into a snag with the XYL. I have 2 scanners (one acts as an iGate), and a dual band mobile unit that I will be connecting to a power supply. I was thinking about using a Diamond D130J as my base antenna. Can I use a switch to switch between the scanners and the base station? The way I understood it (and I could be dead wrong), switches were designed to switch a single radio between multiple antennas. Can I turn it around to allow multiple radios to use a single antenna?

Thanks for your help.

Mike
KC9JBY

Does anyone have any experience with DC Ace Electronics Antennas? They advertise them as "Diamonds in the Rough" and they look very similar to Diamond antennas. Has anyone ever used these before?

Thanks,
Mike F

Hi folks,
I have a Yaesu VX-5R that I rarely use. I would like to begin using it more, but don't want to sink a lot of cash into new accessories for it. I have a couple of of Kenwood speaker mics and ear-pieces that I would like to utilize. If I were to pick up a CT-44 single pin to dual pin adapter, will it work with the Kenwood "stuff" that I already have? Thanks for your help.

Mike F

Howdy team,
I am thinking of joining a local RACES/ARES group, and in reading some of the things that they require of their members is the ARRL EMCOMM classes (1 initially, and then higher if required for your role). Does anyone know where I can find practice exams or at least what information is in this course? I have my FEMA PDS courses and certificate, and I just would like to see what kind of redundancy I will be wading through. Thanks.

Mike F
KC9JBY

Thanks for all of the advice guys. I am eager to learn.

Mike F

Hi there. I have had my ham license for about 2 years, and have never had an interest until now. I was involved with my local Emergency Management Agency, and recently resigned. I started listening to some of the local repeaters during my commute to work on my portable. The conversation was OK, but not earth shattering. I tried to join in, but either my portable didn't have enough guts to be heard over the repeater (I get the repeater squelch if I make a broadcast), or if people just don't like newbies. I don't know. Anyways, what is the best way to get involved in the hobby? A "shack" is out of the question because I am busy at home with one (soon to be 2) little ones. The only time I have is in the car. What are your thoughts? I am located in Metro Chicago for anyone that wants to offer up repeater advice.

Thanks.

Mike

I looked into those when I first got my truck. Holy crap they were expensive. I want to say it was in the neighborhood of $300. I think I will just keep looking.

Mike F