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[KE7FD]

In recent days and weeks, I have learned that Tarheel antennas are behind in their production at this time, probably quarantine related. I have been trying to find a solution for an upcoming road trip and it seems the only option available to me is to use either a tuner at the rear of the vehicle to a 102 inch whip or one of the 5:1 UNUN units (Alpha or Chameleon). So speaking to those HF mobile operators who are not using a screwdriver antenna, what have you found that works for you? I am driving a crossover so there is not much real estate on it, and not much metal near the bumper. In fact, these cars don't have bumpers.

I cannot find any new screwdriver antennas that might fit (the antenna should be smaller than the crossover I'm driving.)

[WA2EIO]

Well, since you mention the possibility of a 102" whip, you might consider these, which are only good for one band at at time, but might get you on the air.  How about the Hustler system, or the MFJ single band whips, or an Outbacker?

[KE7FD]

My bad.  I should have mentioned that I prefer not getting out to change resonators, jumpers or whatever. There may not be safe places along the highway to pull over and swap antenna elements. Everything needs to be automatic.

[K1KIM]

My bad.  I should have mentioned that I prefer not getting out to change resonators, jumpers or whatever. There may not be safe places along the highway to pull over and swap antenna elements. Everything needs to be automatic.

Tall Order.

[KG4RUL]

Hustler antennas can be configured for resonators for four bands and change bands automatically.

Hustler Mobile Mast Multi-Band Adapters VP-1
Hustler Standard Resonators 80-10M
Hustler HF Mobile Antenna Masts 22" or 54"
Suitable 3/8-24 thread mount

[KD6VXI]

Not sure what radio you have, but their is always the ATAS120 if you run a yeasu.

Someone years back also figured out the voltage scheme of the yeasu, so you CAN run them on non yeasu, but you need a tuner box as well.

--Shane
KD6VXI

[KH6AQ]

Ham Radio Outlet has several Tarheel antennas in stock today, the M200A-HP-PKG, M300A-PKG and the M100A-HP.

https://www.hamradio.com/search.cfm


Gigaparts also has several Tarheel antennas in stock today, the 40A, Baby Tarheel, and 75A.

https://www.gigaparts.com/nsearch/?q=tarheel

[K6AER]

My bad.  I should have mentioned that I prefer not getting out to change resonators, jumpers or whatever. There may not be safe places along the highway to pull over and swap antenna elements. Everything needs to be automatic.

1so your car never leaves the highway?

[KE7FD]

Ham Radio Outlet has several Tarheel antennas in stock today, the M200A-HP-PKG, M300A-PKG and the M100A-HP.

https://www.hamradio.com/search.cfm


Gigaparts also has several Tarheel antennas in stock today, the 40A, Baby Tarheel, and 75A.

https://www.gigaparts.com/nsearch/?q=tarheel

I actually called them, and there's not a single Tarheel to be found. HRO looked at all their stores and nothing.

[KE7FD]

So your car never leaves the highway?

Having made this run a few times, I know where the stops are, and will be the only driver. There's enough reasons for me to not want to stop the car every time I change bands.  It's rather like the same reasons anyone reading this post has a tri band beam, or a tuner connected to a dipole, be it built-in or remote. Very few if any of us still go outside to move coax around to change bands or use vise grips to turn a beam. I have used the Hustler resonators which worked well, but that was on a Grand Cherokee. I drive a small crossover now and want whatever I end up with to be smaller than the car, so that rules out capacity hats, spliters and Scorpions.

But getting back to my original inquiry, what has been your experience using the Alpha or Chameleon UNUN's into a whip across HF? In fact opening the inquiry up to ATU's connected directly or very close to the feedpoint of a whip, same question.

[KC9Q]

How about the SGC-239 Tuner and a 102" whip?  Might work for 80 through 10 Meters.  It has a max power limit of 200 Watts PEP, and is totally automatic.

Mike

[KE7FD]

How about the SGC-239 Tuner and a 102" whip?  Might work for 80 through 10 Meters.  It has a max power limit of 200 Watts PEP, and is totally automatic.

Mike

Have you tried that and what was your experience like? I only ask because I'd like to get away from the promises of sales brochures, and find out what some guys have actually been using.

[K0UA]

I have not operated both BUT.  The people that have mostly say that the whip and base loaded tuner is a few (about 3 or or even more) dB down from a screwdriver. That don't mean it won't work, it just won't work as well as a coil up from the base like a screwdriver has.  I agonized over this these two choices myself for a long time before going with the screwdriver.  I have the Little Tarheel II and really like it. I did replace the 32 inch whip with a 48 incher. It does help.  The UnUn and whip will be a few dB down from the 102 inch whip and Tuner.  If there was something better than the center loaded antenna with a whip as much as you can stand, then everyone would be using it.   As for the Baby tarheel, it does not cover 80 meters. Of course 80 meters is not a great mobile band, as the efficiency is very low.  I use it occasionally with the Little Tarheel II and it works fair down there, But If I had to give up a band, that would be the one.

[KE7FD]

Thx for all the responses, really. If there's more to be said, keep 'em coming.

James K0UA, I used to have a LTH-II some years ago, but it went the way of all the earth when the Grand Cherokee was t-boned and totalled. If I could find a new LTH-II anywhere in the country, I'd buy it even if the paint didn't match.  I even called the factory directly and they are a minimum of a month behind not including if I placed an order now. I wouldn't have it in time for my trip.

You did provide some insight of using the UNUN's vs. a tuner. There's a relatively new series of tuners like the mAT-30 & 40 which are advertised to plug & play with the Yaesu rigs and have greater Z range than the OEM units.

[KJ6EUC]

I use the ICOM 8101 and the ICOM AH740 self tuning antenna, good from 6M to 80M on the antenna
The 8101 is a ALE transceiver but works good as a normal transceiver
The setup is Expensive at $4,300.00 for the setup at the Antenna Farm website
DSP is ok and I have made mobile contacts on all SSB freq. from 6M to 80M
Good luck on your setup
Lorenzo Kj6euc