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write your own review of the Tarheel Antennas.
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W7WV
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 7, 2010 13:12
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Model 75 Stubby~Great!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I have had this antenna mounted on a plate between my roof rack on my mini van for just over a month. I am just below that 13' point for height and so far all is well.
I used a Hi-Q GQD (Giant Quick Disconnect) for the mount for the quick disconnect security factor. I use two each 3/4" copper plumbers tape to bond the mounting plate to the body of the van on the inside of the sliding door.
It tunes all bands 10-80 meters very quickly (35 seconds max end to end travel time) with the standard supplied 10' whip. I have my PF button on my TS-480 pre programmed for tune and 10 watts so it's very easy to get to a new freq even when band hopping. Who needs an auto tuner?
I have had two High Sierras (1500/1800) in the past and the little Tarheel Stubby performs just as well as they did if not better.
Robert will answer any of your questions at the drop of a hat by phone or email unlike some companies today.
I think in many applications that people are really passing on a fine antenna in the model 75. It's compact, light and will mount in many areas where bigger ones won't.
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G4BIM
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Rating: 3/5
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Feb 5, 2010 08:45
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M400a
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I Purchased this Antenna from Tarheel USA a little over a year ago.
After only a few hours use the motor drive failed and the inline fuse had blown. Initially it appeared the motor and screw drive had jammed at the limit of its travel.
Various telephone calls and E-Mails failed to solve the problem and finally they mailed me a replacement motor and instructions on how to disassemble the antenna and replace it.
This I did with the help of Carl the ‘Antenna Expert’ G4GTW.
I was horrified to find that the cause of failure was the use of tiny axial leaded multilayer ceramic capacitors to suppress the spikes generated by the DC motor, totally inappropriate for this application.
I fixed the problem and advised Tarheel as follows:
Dear Sirs,
I notice you use ceramic Z5U dielectric 50vdc axial leaded multilayer ceramic capacitors to suppress the motor. This is not good practice, this type of capacitor can only withstand an over voltage of 4 to 8 times at very best and then it will fail short circuit and blow the in line fuse. In fairness, Tarheel did say it might be a capacitor failure and not the motor.
In my 20 years+ experience of capacitor manufacture of virtually all dielectrics, the best dielectric for suppression and resistance to over voltage spikes, is metallised polypropylene or polyester, since a break down with these dielectrics will cause an evaporation of the metallisation at the breakdown point, giving only a fractional loss of capacitance and not an insulation breakdown or short circuit failure.
They never even had the good grace to acknowledge this advise…..
The antenna is well made and has given good service generally.
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KE0MS
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 5, 2010 07:45
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Excellent mobile HF antenna!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have owned two Tarheel 200 antennas. One I bought used and just loved it until the TIRE ROTATION GUY at a WELL KNOWN 5-letter Chain Store (Starting and ending with 'S') tried to remove it from my truck by driving thru a partially opened GARAGE door... I had pulled the 6' whip off of it and WARNED HIM that he should be careful with it.... But, he went ahead and ripped it half off of the truck anyway, THEN tried to HIDE IT by denying he did it.
The long story cut short is, that the store Manager ended up buying me a NEW ONE, after we sent the original back to TARHEEL to get an estimate on. Bob (from Tarheel) was VERY CORDIAL and recommended (in a written estimate) that I needed a new one as this one had literally bent into a horseshoe because I had mounted it so well to my truck's frame.
I reinstalled the brand new 200A, and I have to say it has worked beyond my expectations. When I spend time on the road, I always have the HF rig on. I get UNSOLICITED "GREAT SIGNAL FOR A MOBILE, would never know if you didn't say" comments ALL THE TIME. I have worked nearly a dozen countries (well into Europe on 20m routinely) and I run an Icom706mkIIG at 100watts. Contests are a real blast.
I choose to simply run a 6' whip on the top of mine, although I have found that if you are stationary, you can significantly lower your usable frequency range by putting on a 102" WHIP on top instead. But, I do NOT recommend that for driving down the road, as you exceed the 14' height limit and risk hitting overhead power lines and bridges, etc. I use QD-1 quick disconnects to make it easy to go into the parking ramp I have to use at work (to remove the whip), and the disconnects do NOT impair receive or TX signal in any way. They make good electrical contact and are very handy to use.
Use of a CAP HAT is also a great idea, but any whip you would add OVER THE TOP of the HAT is basically useless, so unless you live in a low-tree environment, it may not help you much. You also need to extend the CAP HAT well above the top of the coil form to get most benefit from it.
The whip is an important part of the antenna; When listening to mid-cars, for instance, removing the 6' whip SIGNIFICANTLY reduces received signal strength and noise level. So the whip is an important part of the entire antenna... I have not experimented much with CAPACITY HATS other than trying out a couple, but if you need to lower your resonant freq ability, they do that VERY WELL. I got my system to resonate down to just above 2MHZ simply by adding a CAP HAT and a 102" whip. Adding an antenna tuner might make that band workable, but I am not that rabid of a 160m user.
I have used TURBO-TUNERS before on my TARHEEL, and although they work well, I found I do just as well if I run an up/down switch from inside the truck. Not something i like to do moving, but I can change bands and adjustment faster myself. But I have to mark the antenna exterior so I know about where to set the antenna for a given band and use the side-view mirror. So I usually do it stopped for GAS, POP, etc. Then I use the SWR-check ability of the '706 to verify a good match/setting adjustment. I also added a 150 watt HF power meter in the truck, so I can always see FORWARD POWER (on the wattmeter) and SWR (on the '706 meter). This system works very well for me.
I operate 80-10m and can get a FLAT SWR anywhere I go. I have extenseively grounded the antenna system (both RF and mechanically, using a home-made REESE-hitch mount to attach the TARHEEL stainless mount to; it is a very nice system, and can be removed in about 5 minutes whenever I want. But GOOD GROUNDING/BONDING is a must for any antenna to work properly, especially in a mobile setup.
I am INTRIGUED at the idea of using another TARHEEL as an HF vertical in a CONDO environment. They would be very good for that, too! The imagination is the only limit I think.
I would buy a TARHEEL HF ANTENNA again in a "New York Heartbeat". I have never compared this brand to the others out there (such as HIGH SIERRA) but when you find a product that is so very reliable (and Bob's Customer Service are top-notch) then why screw with a good thing? (Pun not intended). :)
I give this one a BIG OL' FIVE. GREAT workmanship, a VERY reliable product. Bob is always willing to answer emails about technical issues or on the phone, and their prices are fair. He has updated and improved the motors in the screwdriver drive itself, and it is very robust.
I am a REPEAT CUSTOMER and have nothing else whatever to do with Bob or his business.
You can check out my setup on my keØms BIO entry at QRZ.com. I am EXCEPTIONALLY happy with my Tarheel 200A antenna.
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WX7G
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 4, 2010 20:33
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Great HOA antenna
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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A Tarheel 200A-HP is my stealthy antenna. Hidden inside a 4" x 4" vinyl fence post with a bird house atop nobody knows it's an antenna.
When it's time to go on the air I attach one of several whips. The stock 6' whip does a good job on 80-15 meters. For a bigger signal on 80-20 meters an MFJ 9' whip is attached. And for that big signal on 80-30 meters the 9' whip is mounted onto a 6' Hustler mast extension to form a 15' whip. For 160 meters a Hustler RM80 resonator and a DX Engineering top hat is attached to the 6' mast to form a 12' top loaded vertical.
With 500 watts CW I work all continents on 80-17 meters. On 160 meters I have worked Japan several times.
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KC2SIJ
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 21, 2010 03:48
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Very Good
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I have owned and used my Tarheel 200Hp for about one year, after using a competitor screwdriver antenna. I must say, I have had zero problems, the matching is almost always perfect and I have no trouble working both local and Dx with my mobile rig. Well done, Tarheel.
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W3LZK
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 20, 2010 16:12
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Still goin strong, great antenna
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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Well, here we are its been just over 6 months since I purchased my Tarheel 40A-HP from Robert at the Dayton Hamvention. I gotta say, the Tarheel antennas are probably the best on the market, I've had zero, none, nada problems with my mobile antenna. I know that Robert doesn't own the Tarheel name any longer, but he is still available if you should have any questions about your antenna.
I have done more mobile/portable operations with my current setup than I had with any of my previous HF mobile incarnations. If you are searching for that one HF mobile antenna that will get you on the air get those contacts, then look no further than the Tarheel. Mine is still goin strong, and is a great mobile HF antenna!
73 de Mark
W3LZK
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K5ALF
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 20, 2010 11:29
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Best ever.
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Tarheel antennas are by far the very best bar none.
I have had one for four years and don't have any complaints. Tarheel service goes far & beyond anything you can thing of. I have nothing but praise
for the product & the staff of Tarheel mfg.
Don Brooks Sr. K5ALF k5alf1@comcast.net I can go on & on about tarheel but the best knowledge is is having one.
73s
20 Jan. 2010
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N1HOS
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Rating: 4/5
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Nov 16, 2009 11:42
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Maybe the best of all
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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4 only because of service. Product is as good as it comes. Was misled on what it was I needed and hadd to pay return shipping for something that was the fault of the company. Happened twice same week. Doubt I would buy from them again, but love what I have. You can't get a better antenna but you can pay more.
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KF2GQ
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 4, 2009 17:21
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Great Antenna
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I own both the 100A HP and 200A HP. I have owned them for over three years. The 200A HP is my base station antenna. No one can believe that I am using a screwdriver antenna from my QTH in my HOA. The 100A HP is used for my portable operations. See photo's on page 3 base installation photos on the Tarheel web sight. Customer support is well above that, of any other company with the same of product line.
73, Robert
KF2GQ
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KG8DP
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 5, 2009 15:37
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9 Plus year review
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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straight and simple. I own 2 M-100's. oldest going on 9 years. have logged 300k miles with them over the years. Still own them. Have run milli watts to legal limit. Sure I keep them up. Alittle simple dusting and cleaning now and then. Same 2 antennas. Rarely ever ever miss a contact. WB0W and NC4ME and company. Simply BRAVO.....Invest in this line of antennas if you want the best of HF-Mobile antenna. 73's Mark KG8DP
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