|
New to Ham Radio?
My Profile
Community
Articles
Forums
News
Reviews
Friends Remembered
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
|
|
You can
write your own review of the High Sierra Sidekick.
|
KP4MD
|
Rating: 3/5
|
Aug 9, 2011 19:29
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
NEC Model Analysis of Sidekick
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
|
In 2006, I moved to a mobile home park with covenants that restricted antennas visible from the street. My first antenna at this location has been a remotely tuned base loaded 6 foot vertical whip antenna (High Sierra Sidekick) mounted on the roof at the rear of the home. The aluminum siding serves as its counterpoise. Its observed performance is fair on 21 and 28 MHz, mediocre on 7 and 14 MHz with little reception except to the north, and overall quite poor on 3.5 MHz. I have posted a NEC modeling analysis of the Sidekick at http://www.qsl.net/kp4md/modeling.htm#sidekick - As it is tunable across the entire HF spectrum, it does allow operation on MARS frequencies. Screwdrivers are poor performer for their high cost, definitely best suited as a compromise for use on vehicles, as low profile antennas or other very limited space applications.
|
|
KM6CQ
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Apr 10, 2011 09:34
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Very Good Serivce
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
I bought this new in December 2007 I bought the kit and installed it in the stake pocket of my pickup. It works great 80 through Six. Never had any problems with it and I am still using it almost everyday. I tune it with a "Better RF" Screwdriver Controller and Tune Control. I bought the quick disconnect and I comes off quickly to go in my cab for security and parking garages. The trade off is it does not work quite as well on 75 as my full size one. I bought the longer whip and it does perform better 75 over the stock one. The compromise is well worth it to be able to conceal it as needed.
73, Dan KM6CQ
|
|
KK7D
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Mar 27, 2011 11:17
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Fantastic Product
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
|
I purchased a High Sierra Sidekick from Jim at High Sierra along with a Spur Hat for my FJ Customized Cruiser. It perfectly came in black to match the color of the truck. I have had the pleasure to make specific modifications for the antenna to mount on an antenna bracket that was designed as an aftermarket product for the rear of the truck. I have own the antenna for well over 6+ months and it has given me the opportunity along with the SPUR capacity hat to work on 80m, 40m, 20m, 10m with outstanding reports on various fronts. I use the FT857D both on phone and CW from the truck. It is an outstanding product, if you like to see the setup on the vehicle, Jim is going to be posting pics of my truck potentially on his company website for the antenna. Once again, Jim is a professional and it is always a pleasure to get his advice. I would recommend the antenna for anyone seeking a great product.
|
|
K7FFN
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Nov 3, 2010 11:37
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Excellent customer service
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
I've had my Sidekick installed on my Taurus with a Diamond trunk-lip mount for about two years, so it is well out of warranty. I use it with an IC706. I decided I ought to replace the ring-spring as recommended annually, so I disassembled the antenna. In the process I found two blackened rings on the coil representing my two favorite bands, 75- and 20-meters. Further investigation revealed coil windings overlapping other coil windings near the bottom of the coil, normally out of sight. (I now realize that overlapping windings may be my fault for running the motor without the shell, trying to shorten the length for shipping back to High Sierra. The coil spins when you do that, instead of moving up and down.)
I shipped it back to High Sierra, and Jim, W6LG, immediately asked what kind of mount I was using. When I told him a trunklip mount, he replied that trunklip mounts don't ground well, and without an adequate ground plane the coil was just one big resistor. Nonetheless, he repaired the antenna and returned it to me for $20 plus shipping. I consider that excellent service! There were also some RF feedback issues unrelated to the antenna, and because of his suggestions (and re-reading the 706 manual!) they were cleared up with a ferrite bead on the external speaker wire. I am very pleased with High Sierra, with the Sidekick antenna -- which ought to be even better now with a ball mount -- and with Jim, W6LG, for his excellent, patient, and inexpensive service of his product.
|
|
M1WML
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Oct 6, 2010 13:54
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
good all round antenna..
|
Time owned: 6 to 12 months
|
not much to add realy to all the other posts on here. a great all round antenna. tunning is very easy just listen for maximum noise then your ready to work the dx.. i worked vk6wc john in perth australia today... was very easy with this beauty.
not a cheap ant but well made and worth the dollar.
|
|
NM7L
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Sep 20, 2010 13:29
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Got 2 of 'em
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
Bought my first one along with a N2VZ Turbo-Tuner 2 years ago in setting up a mobile installation with a Yaesu FT-857D. Replaced the 3-foot whip with a 6-foot one to enhance the HF spectrum usage.
Early this year I started experimenting with the Sidekick in portable usage mounted on a tripod. Worked extremely well with the setup I have for the mobile installation so I wound up purchasing another Sidekick / N2VZ Turbo-Tuner setup dedicated solely for use portable with a FT-897 (or FT-857 in a pinch).
Either way you cut it the Sidekick works well.
Got to try it next with an 8-foot whip...
|
|
M0GNA
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Sep 20, 2010 06:20
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Unbeatable
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
|
I got mine off e-bay and i can only add further praise for this terrific antenna.The build quality is outstanding,the performance is remarkable,its easy to get it up and running and it looks good.Its no wonder they sell like hot cakes.
|
|
KJ4DKT
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Aug 23, 2010 11:36
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
MY FRIENDS ARE AMAZED
|
Time owned: 6 to 12 months
|
|
About 9 reviews down I posted in Dec. 09..I moved antenna to a new Nissan Frontier with a metal toolbox and mounted the S/Kick on the front of the box. I talked S9 to New York yesterday w/the 3ft whip at 100w on my 857d. My ham buddy w/me couldnt believe it. He had been trying all morning to reach him wbase unit at 50ft. THIS ANTENNA IS A MIRACLE FOR ITS SIZE. I AM IMPRESSED !!!!!
|
|
N7ZM
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Jun 15, 2010 17:44
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Best Mobile I have had
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
|
I am still amazed at my little Sidekick antenna. I bought one of Jim's original Protocols when he first went into production. This antenna is still amazing to me. I went from his HS-1500 to a Sidekick and to me the added convenience of it's smaller size and handling was well worth the purchase. Have had this for many years without any problems and will continue using it for many more. High Sierra sure did a FB job on this one, keep up the good work Jim!
|
|
N5DLM
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Jun 15, 2010 17:18
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Great Antenna
|
Time owned: 3 to 6 months
|
|
I struggled with a ATAS-120A for a year. I decided to try the Sidekick and I was not disapointed. It works great and I always get reports that it does sound lake a mobil!!
|
|
If you have any questions, problems, or suggestions about Reviews,
please email your Reviews Manager.
|
|
|
|
|
