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You can
write your own review of the High Sierra HS-1500 Screwdriver.
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AC0HD
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 11, 2009 14:02
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Excellent antenna-Poor customer service
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I purchased my HS-1500 on E-Bay used from a guy who had been running it on his motorhome for years. I had previously found the Hustlers to be excellent performers but for whatever reason the 80M didn't perform well mobile so I was tickled to find that the 1500 works great on all bands, especially 80. I purchased the last 160M adapter coil they had in stock (production has ended...timing is everything!) and found that 160M using the adapter and removing the matching coil tunes perfectly across the entire band, though I have not had an opportunity to make any contacts on 160 to try the transmit aspect.
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NW7N
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 9, 2005 18:30
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Second Unit Owned...Simply Awesome!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Hmmm, I wonder where my original review went.
Who cares about that...this is a GREAT antenna. It stays in tune over nasty terrain (city streets), and in the coldest stretches of Wyoming it will tune just as good as when it's blazing hot running through Nevada.
My implemenation:
To attain maximum performance, I use a 102" stainless whip atop my recently acquired HS1500. Haven't had to replace a spring yet, but I guess I'm lucky. This antenna works VERY nicely with the Ameritron ALS-500m amplifier. For tuning, I made a "soft tune" switching assembly using four Bosch automotive relays and a couple momentary switches. It's much better than the clunky switch.
If you're interested, you can email me for the schematic and pictures.
If you see one of these for sale for a reasonable price, don't hesitate on buying it. You won't be sorry.
73,
Phil
NW7N
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N6GK
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 1, 2005 11:56
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Best antenna in 41 years of mobiling!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Through the years, I have used Webster Bandspanners, Hustlers, all kinds of "sticks", Spider, modified 7-band spider (double Christmas Tree), etc., but NOTHING WORKS AS WELL AS THE HIGH SIERRA HS-1500!
The HS-1500 has the flexibility I need, as it allows me to work both CW and SSB mobile, on an hour long commute twice a day, and to safely jump between my favorite bands (7, 10, 14, 17, and 15 meters), both CW and SSB, WHILE IN MOTION, to work the band / mode between 3.5 and 30 Mhz (and I use them all), with an SWR of near 1:1! It just doesn't get any better than that! And my IC-706Mk2G loves it! No more narrow bandwidth antennas or limitations on QSY for me!
And to my surprise, I have often come into the house, turned on the rig, and found that the antenna performs about as well as my home antenna system! No more compromised mobile antennas for me--give me the High Sierra!
I know personal "I worked XYZ DX" doesn't mean much because it doesn't compare to any standard antenna, but I'll never forget the first week I tried it out (about 3 years ago), when I actually was running Europe during a CW contest from my mobile, parked in a campground near a lake (where my wife was fishing) here in California! What a blast! Sure conditions were pretty good those days, but in 40 plus years of mobile, I'd never seen or heard of such performance! And that type of incredible performance is what I have experienced daily since then!
I have the antenna on my Toyota Sienna hitch, with the fold down attachment--it's an incredibly sturdy and easy way to mount it, and it takes only about 3-seconds to remove the pin and fold it over for access to the back of the van. My wife thinks that's the best feature of the antenna!
The HS-1500 has worked flawlessly for 3 years, and still has its "as new" appearance (it's a beautiful antenna). I am now moving it to my new RV and replacing it with a new HS-1800 Platinum on the Sienna. I am excited about trying them both in their new locations!
After I have had a chance to put the HS-1800 through its paces for a few months, I'll report on how it performs.
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NX7U
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 16, 2004 13:22
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(followup) wow...what a deal
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I wrote the 3rd review back in 1999...so here's some long-term followup :-)
My original HS-1500 is still banging away, 5 years and 293 DXCC later. It has taken quite a beating over 70k miles mounted on a bouncy pickup, 120 degree heat, ice-covered, 500W input, etc. and still "ticking".
You DO need to perform periodic maintenance. Others have mentioned the spring being a problem. Yes, they need regular replacement (I replace mine annually). But they are very easy to replace and not terribly expensive ($13 at this writing).
I very highly recommend the HS-201 mounting bracket. It makes the job much easier and neater.
Jim Heath is a *great* guy to deal with and has always been very helpful and courteous.
This antenna is an excellent long-term investment.
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N3LJS
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Rating: 4/5
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Apr 29, 2004 21:54
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$13.00 for a sring
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Everything is good except for the spring. Replace one a year, $13.00. They need a better way to support the top so it does not smash the spring. Overall the screwdriver design for mobile use can not be beat.
Rob, N3LJS
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NE5EE
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 29, 2004 21:03
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Outstanding
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Only antenna I have ever used. Have over 200 countries worked, all on SSB. Working now on Challenge award, too old to make honor roll.
This antenna is great, and the customer service is outstanding. Nothing more to add, worth every penny.
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WA2TTP
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 28, 2003 22:18
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4 years and still going strong
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I've had this antenna in use for 4 years on the back of my pickup truck used in upstate New York. It's been covered in snow, ice and salt and it has held up very good. The only problems I've had were the failure of the decoupling contact spring after about 2 years and crack in the clear plastic loading coil cover where it connects to the lower collar. The later was really my fault because I tried to tune the antenna when it had a coating of ice on it. Both parts were replaced with no problem by me and the parts price was fair. The antenna performance is fantastic. I've worked allot of DX on 75 the best being a VK early in the morning on the way home from work! I'll give some credit to my Alinco DX70TH that has great transmit audio.
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KG9Z
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Rating: 5/5
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May 13, 2003 16:01
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Not a beam but GREAT!
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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With the excellant technical help from the High Sierra people, I was able to do maintance on my HS-1500 and have it back on the air.
The antenna tunes 80 thru 6 meters. I have not tried it on 80 or 6 but the other bands it works like gang busters!
My first experience with the HS-1500 was having it mounted at gound level and a 12 foot ground rod. This was on the side of my home and I wasn't pleased with the results at all. I added a few radials but little improvements
Looking at some RV installations and some research I decided to mount my antenna at roof level. I added three 24 foor radials in a typical ground plane type of installation. What a difference! I know its not a beam and I only run 100 watts but I hear great! It is amazing on 40 meters!
The latest Dx to work was the TX4PG at FO/M. I know it wasn't a rare P5 but it had its sure of pile-ups and propogation problems. I was able to work them on 40M, 30M, 20M, 17M and 15M all with the same antenna!
Initial price may seem steep but the perfromance is excellant and if you can't use a beam....this is a great choice.
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W3IZ
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 27, 2003 23:28
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Superior mobile antenna
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have been HF mobile for over 15 years and have used all kinds of antennas from mono-band hamsticks and Hustler coil systems to trunk mounted auto tuners with 102” whips. Out of all the antennas that I have used the High Sierra beats them all. Hands down. Besides being a great radiator, this antenna is built tough. No PVC plastic or weak cordless tool motors here. This thing is constructed to be used in any environment and will last a long, long time. You truly get what you pay for. Installation does require some planning and a good solid ground will ensure super performance. The large Hi-Q coil makes it easy to tune anywhere on the band that you want to including MARS frequencies. I have had this antenna for over five years on three vehicles. I have also helped others install this antenna on their vehicles and they too have similar results. Again, the secret is to get a good solid ground to the vehicle. Besides a great product, Jim is a super fellow to deal with and will answer any question that you e-mail him within a few hours.
See my installs on these sites:
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/w3iz/mobile.html
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/w3iz/Truck.html
Norm Fusaro, W3IZ
Bucks County, PA
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KL7FH
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 18, 2003 13:08
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Great!
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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I bought mine used and it works great! Does anyone have a pdf or jpg of the manual they can e-mail me? Or a copy? I didn't get the manual... I added a capacity hat and made a big improvement on bandwith and feed point impedance. 73 Frank KL7FH
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