Manager


Manager - NA4M
Manager Notes

Reviews For: Tarheel Antennas

Category: Antennas: HF Mobile & Accessories

eMail Subscription

Registered users are allowed to subscribe to specific review topics and receive eMail notifications when new reviews are posted.
Review Summary For : Tarheel Antennas
Reviews: 205MSRP: 295.00
Description:
Screwdriver Antennas,Stainless Steel mounts,Mobile and Base
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.tarheelantennas.com
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
152054.8
W5DNT Rating: 2011-02-23
Excellent Product & Company Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Have the Tarheel 200HP with capacity hat and a six foot whip. Also, I use the Turbo Tuner which I also rate a "5". This combination is an outstanding performer, period. Tarheel is a fantastic group of people to work with. I consider their level of customer support as good as I have seen in amateur radio. Look no further than Tarheel if you want a high quality, well supported mobile antenna. Two thumbs up!!!
KF0CU Rating: 2011-02-16
Excellent Products Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I have (2) Tarheel 200 antennas, both of which are hooked up to a Kenwood TS-480hx and (1) Little Tarheel antenna hooked up to a Yaesu FT-857d(soon to be Ts-480hx).

All three setups are controlled with the N2VZ Turbo Tuner. In my opinion, these are the BEST antennas ever made for mobile HF use. Flat SWR across all the bands.
W4AMP Rating: 2011-01-27
Great! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have the Tarheel 300 A, and it works just as described. Marked mine with a silver sharpie so I can retune bands using my mirror. Even works well on 160. Worth the money.
WD0FIA Rating: 2010-12-14
Great compact Screwdriver antenna. Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I have owned mine for 7 months now. At first I thought it was foolish to spend nearly $400 for a mobile antenna. I am glad I was wrong! This antenna has been fantastic on every band! Running only 40 watts from a FT-857D into the Lil Tarheel gets great signal reports! I have ran it at 100 watts, but found I never really need too. Use on USAF MARS frequencies has been a real success as well. I have never failed to be able to check in to any NET I can hear.

My next mobile antenna will be another Tarheel, without a doubt!
K7KLB Rating: 2010-10-20
Love it Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I had a problem with the antenna blowing the fuse connected to the antenna power line. I called Tarheel. They worked with me on a few things to check. I did and they said to send it back. I UPSed it to them and tracked it. The morning they received it I got a phone call it is fixed and they are sending it back. This was with in an hour after the received it. WOW what service and @ no charge because it was under a year of my purchase. They were and still are my number one choice for antennas. GREAT JOB Tarheel. 73 All. Keith
AI4HO Rating: 2010-09-21
Still kickin it!! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Well, here I am, almost 18 months now with my HP-40A "STUBBY", I now have my Kenwood TS-480HX 200 watt rig in place of the 706MKIIG which is now in the house relegated to back up and special event duty. Is the extra 100 watts to the HP-40A worth it? You betcha, at least for me. I have found myself doing more HF mobile than I have ever done, I guess its one of those tricks the brain plays on you, you think"GEE, I have 200 watts now instead of just the 100 I had before. I have double the amount of power, so that means I can do much better, I can be heard much farther now".

How true that all is, I suppose its in the hands of the user. For me though, I do seem to use my mobile rig a lot more than I ever did when I had the 706 in my Ranger. When I first got my stubby antenna from Robert, I was having some difficulty, I think it was in the controler I had. Any way, Robert took a break......while at Dayton Hamvention, on Saturday late morning. We quickly found what the problem was(blown fuse), and I happen to carry extras of a lot of the basic automotive, ham radio accessories. Quickly replaced the fuse and all was good to go.

I have since gone from a digital controler to the rocker switch that comes with the Tar Heel antenna to a N2VZ Turbo Tuner for the Kenwood series radios. Wonderful antenna, works well, have had no problems with the antenna at all. This antenna is still kickin it, with 200 watts now and lovin it.



73 de Mark
W3LZK

----------------------
Earlier 5-star review posted by AI4HO on 2010-01-20

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
K7BEN Rating: 2010-09-21
Great Antenna Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have the 75 Antenna and it works great. I'm using it mobile combined with the Turbo Tuner. If I ever get another screwdriver antenna it will be a Tarheel.
K0CWO Rating: 2010-08-31
Little Tarheel II & Model 75 Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I use both the Little Tarheel II and Model 75. The Little Tarheel II with the 32" whip, and the Model 75 with the 72" whip. I use them mounted on the left rear quarter panel of a four door sedan using a Hank Breedlove ball mount with an Icom 706MKIIG at 100 watts SSB. I tune them with the supplied switch.

I have used a Hi-Q 4-80 (excellent), Hamsticks, and an Outbacker HP before. I found the Hi-Q too large for routine use, and the Hamsticks and Outbacker required me to get out of the car when changing bands.

The Model 75 has an edge over the Little Tarheel II on 75 meters. Summertime operating with either antenna at 100 watts SSB is a novelty. You will be able to contact base stations but it will certainly not be an "armchair" experience for those you are trying to have a QSO with. From 40 meters to 10 meters both antennas do very well for their size. Again, the Model 75 having a slight edge over the Little Tarheel II. What I love about the Little Tarheel II is that it receives well. Even on 160 with the coil extended to maximum length. I have had some very enjoyable winter time rag chews on 75 meters with it. On 40-10, if I can hear them, I can work them comfortably.

I can park my car in the garage without the antenna hitting anything. A definite plus during long Minnesota winters. The Model 75 is pretty much the same with the before mentioned increase in performance. I use the Little Tarheel around town and the Model 75 during trips out of town.

These antennas are well made; I have run them through several Minnesota winters. Service after the sale is great. Neither antenna has needed repair, but when you call or write with questions, reply is prompt and helpful. They don’t perform as well as the Hi-Q 4-80, but they beat the Hamsticks and the Outbacker on the lower bands. Their size is very manageable and you certainly get what you pay for.
KD4HGR Rating: 2010-08-31
Little Tarheel 2 Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Best little antenna I have ever owned ! This little guy works like no other antenna I have ever had on the trunk of my Ford Taurus. Also FYI when some people tell you that it will tune to 160M with a 12 foot whip I can tell you they are not lieing too you. I bought a 12' Telescopic whip at the Orlando Ham Fest from MFJ with There quick disconnect adapter and I was impressed that it tuned and I thought ok but how well will it work? Well so far until the band comes back into play I have worked 20 confirmed States mobile just parked in my parking space where I live in Coral Springs,Fla. The longest contact was Utah and I received a 5x5 Report with this antenna and an Icom IC-706MK2G with only 100 Watts..The whip will cost around $30 so what do you have to loose..It does work and the antenna has preformed flawless for 5+ years and no problems and yes i know its not the best but for the money they work GREAT ! Just remember you can NOT drive around with this whip on it ..IT WELL BREAK as it is telescopic and hollow..lol...73's and I always recommend this antenna too all of my ham friends who are tried of pulling over to change the antenna for a different band. Take that into your consideration when buying an antenn for HF mobile.
WJ6Y Rating: 2010-08-31
Little Tarheel II Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Since I did not plan on 6 meter mobile use, I added the 56" whip and am more than pleased with the performance. Even though it brought the investment up considerably, I also added the N2VZ turbo tuner. This combination with my FT857d has worked very well.