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| Reviews Summary for CapHat |
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Reviews: 3
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Average rating: 5.0/5
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MSRP: $35.00
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Description: CaPHat is the simplest most effective way to improove an HF Mobile antenna.It consist of a small 1.5" dia. hub that has 3/8-24 tapped hole for the whip and 3/8-34 stud for the antenna. Four LOW wind resistance "fans" of which diameter is easily changed for desired performance, range is 6"-36".
Installed in less than a minute on ANY HF mobile or base vertical antenna.
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More info: http://wwww.hiqantennas.com
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write your own review of the CapHat.
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N1KSN
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 16, 2003 13:30
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Improves my portable vertical
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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I own both a Hi-Q 2.5/80 antenna (tripod mounted in backyard during good weather) and a SuperAntennas MP-1 (part of my portable station). I've installed the CapHat on both.
When I use it outside, the MP-1 has the CapHat mounted 9" above the coil using the original MP-1 base rod. The base below the coil consists of an old camera tripod and two 24" rods. I use 18" uncoated 3/32" brazing rods to form the "petals" of the CapHat. Since the petals stay in without having to use the setscrews, it all disassembles nicely.
I believe the CapHaps give me more effective antennas and are a nice, relatively inexpensive way to improve vertical performance. I'm glad I got them.
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KR4JA
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 16, 2003 09:58
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Update on CapHat Experience
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Just a few thoughts on the HiQ Antenna capacity hat I've been using. I spent 2 weeks over the holidays in the mobile with my 3/80-"light" antenna, 706MKIIG, and the Amcom ASAC. I played around with all kinds of hat sizes and mast lengths between the coil and the hat(I bought a supply of 36" 3/32 stainless steel welding rods and extra cap hat center hub). I normally run one of Charlie's 22" hats with a 22" hustler mast extension bewteen the coil and the hat. I have a 4 to 5' stinger above the hat. I have ran a 36" cap hat with no problems, but I had it mounted only 6" above the coil to reduce wind load, which may be too close and possibly lower the efficiency of the antenna, but I didn't have a 12" or 18" mast.
Spacing is important for multiple hats. I found that using a 36" hat with a 22" hat only 6" above it, made little difference when compared to only the 36" hat. However, when I separated the hats by 22", the additional capacitance was "seen" and reduced the expected number of turns in the coil. I'm guessing that you need to separate the hats by at least the diameter of the lower hat.
I used a 6 foot hat (8 36" rods) on top of a 6 foot mast with a 4 foot stinger (16' tip to ground) for fixed operation at night on 75M and got great signal reports, 10-20dB over S9. With this setup, I was only using about 1/3 of the coil and 160M fixed operation crossed my mind, but I didn't try it. Maybe next time. Clipping copper wires to the ends of the 6 foot hat to make a complete circle only resulted in the reduction of a couple of turns in the coil, and wasn't really worth it.
Anyway, I thought someone might like the information on my cap hat experience. Give a CapHat a try on your screwdriver antenna, you'll like it!
73, Dave
Norcross, GA
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VE7BOC
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Rating: 5/5
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Sep 5, 2001 17:44
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HF Mobile Capacity Hat
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Want to improve the performance of your HF mobile or your back yard portable antenna, than look at the NEW capacity hat marketed by Hi-Q-Antennas.
What you get: a simple LOW wind resistance good looking CapHat that has a diameter 6" to 36" (the standard size is appx. 18" dia.)
Measured numbers on 80 Meter; installed on a Stealth II.-2.5/80 HF mobile antenna the NUMBER OF THE TURNS USED ON the Loading Coil IS REDUCED FROM 70 to 50 or an other way to the improovement is looking at the initial resonating frequency on the antenna, let's say 3.990 mhz without the CapHat and retune it to the new resonant freq. which is now 900 kc LESS!!! Now you can use a shorter whip or go for broke with the longest you clear the bridge!
Installed in a minute on top of the loading coil of the top of the antenna, then the whip, you can enhance the performance of ANY HF mobile antenna even the so called screwdiver types.
Expected performance measure a bit later on those types.
Note: I recomend the installation of the CapHat at the top of the loading coil but further improovement can be achived buy moving it higher away from the top of the coil. You will sacrifice the stability of the whip and you can elevate it a few feet up.
Remember: Life is a constant comprimise.
A Stealth II.-2.5/80 with this CapHat is now titled the Gordon West Special.
He will take it to Alaska this September.
73, Charlie
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