MFJ 1401

[KC2GA]

Hi-

I was wondering if anybody has tried one of these with say a Hamstick or Chameleon antenna, and if they have, how were the results? I have a restricted space situation, and thought maybe it could be a reasonably priced solution that I could mount on the roof up out of the way.

[W5RB]

The kit in question is designed to work with UHF/VHF antennas only. With 20 inch radials , the ground plane would be useless at HF.

Russ, W5RB

http://www.mfjenterprises.com/Product.php?productid=MFJ-1401

[KC2GA]

That says it all right there - didn't see that it was a UHF/VHF product.
THANKS!
73,
Gary

[N6OG]

I have used a number of the Chameleon antenna and they work well in a confined space.  I have the Hybrid mount and used the V2L with it or the 50' wire antenna and on my other one replaced the 50' wire with 103' and have the best signal reports I have ever had.  I would give them a try.

[K2DC]

Gary,

   There are options for using a Hamstick or similar antenna for portable or limited space HF use.  One is the Alpha Delta Outpost tripod:

http://www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid=H0-001639

It's very heavy, very expensive, and very discontinued, but apparently HRO still carries it.  Afriend of mine showed me his 10 or 12 years ago and I was very impressed with the performance, but also impressed that it weighed and costed about 8 times what it needed to.

    So - I built one.  I used 1/8" thick, 1/2" aluminum angle stock from a big box hardware store.  For about $30  or so in materials and about 3 hours work I had something that weighed less than three pounds and fit inside a ishing pole carrier.  I used it a number of times for portable operations with Hamsticks on several bands 20M and up, and they matched better than they did mounted on my car.  Worth a try if you're even mildly handy.

73,

Don, K2DC