HF Auto Tune Antennas

Submitted: Wednesday, Jan 25, 2006 at 13:00
ThreadID: 30094 Views:7654 Replies:6 FollowUps:9
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Hi Gang,
We're just preparing for our 6 weeks in the Red Centre in May -June and looking at options to set up the HF radio in our 100 series.

We have the radio, an Icom Ham Radio model IC-706 Mk11-G...yes I'm a licenced Ham. I think I read somewhere that the Codan 9350 antenna can be used with other HF radios, but not too sure about my memory anymore these DAZE.

Another Aussie Product from Tasmania is the Moonraker AT-230 and I felt that there was an unsubstantiated rumor that Moonraker made the old 8558 Codan auto tune antenna, which was not a very good antenna from a reliability and performance point of view.

So what I'm looking for is:

Does anybody know the compatibility of the Codan 9350 to the Icom Radio?

Also a performance comparison between the Codan and Moonraker Auto Tune antennas?

Any other Auto Tune 2-30Mhz options I should consider.....Apart from importing a Screwdriver antenna from the USA that is.

Many Thanks in Advance
Rick n Julie
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Reply By: signman - Wednesday, Jan 25, 2006 at 13:19

Wednesday, Jan 25, 2006 at 13:19
Hi Rick
I hope you don't intend using the Icom for out of band transmissions!!! I understand broadband radios are not allowed to be used on the VKS network.
As for you question, I think there is info on the Codan user forum with connecting 9350 to Icom/Yeasu/Kenwood.
Also an amateur-
signman
AnswerID: 150789

Follow Up By: Mad Dog (Australia) - Wednesday, Jan 25, 2006 at 14:26

Wednesday, Jan 25, 2006 at 14:26
What I think you mean is that non approved radios cannot be used, broadband radios of course can be used if they are approved.
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Follow Up By: signman - Wednesday, Jan 25, 2006 at 14:51

Wednesday, Jan 25, 2006 at 14:51
Mad Dog
Ahh...what I meant is what i said, ie broadband- continuous coverage as in a illegally modified amateur transceiver cannot be used.
i think what you mean is 'Type approved' radio!!!
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Follow Up By: Darian (SA) - Wednesday, Jan 25, 2006 at 14:59

Wednesday, Jan 25, 2006 at 14:59
I'm with Mad Dog I think - approved radios only, AND where such a radio may have hoards of channels you can still only use those to which you are entitled, by virtue of the licence you have........ obtained by various association memberships or direct ACMA licence.
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Follow Up By: signman - Wednesday, Jan 25, 2006 at 15:26

Wednesday, Jan 25, 2006 at 15:26
I think we are all correct here. An 'amateur' radio is type approved for amateur bands. IF that radio is modified for broadband (ie general coverage/ out of band/ whatever you want to call it) it is no longer a type approved radio. Also note- there is a difference between 'channel' operation (some type approved sets have a squillion channels) and 'frequency' operation with unlimited frequencies.
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Follow Up By: Mad Dog (Australia) - Wednesday, Jan 25, 2006 at 17:47

Wednesday, Jan 25, 2006 at 17:47
Yes indeed the big difference between the Codans, Barretts etc and the Amateur Yaesus, Icoms etc is the VFO. I don't beleive amateur radios carry a type approval as such. You can use any old junk home brew radio you like as long as you keep within the power limits and keep the splatter within the amateur allocation :)
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Reply By: Disco123 - Wednesday, Jan 25, 2006 at 13:23

Wednesday, Jan 25, 2006 at 13:23
Hi fox,
You might also want to ask these questions on the Yahoo Codan Users Group forum
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/codan_outback_radio/

Rgds
Grant
AnswerID: 150790

Reply By: signman - Wednesday, Jan 25, 2006 at 13:24

Wednesday, Jan 25, 2006 at 13:24
Just checked on the codan outback users site and there is details for the IC706
AnswerID: 150791

Follow Up By: fox - Wednesday, Jan 25, 2006 at 13:38

Wednesday, Jan 25, 2006 at 13:38
Hi Signman,
No out of band and not a member of VKS...I'm just looking to get the ham bands going in the car..we rented our house out last week as we're not planning to be home for the next few years as we're doing relief motel management and we're booked out that far ahead. So the ham shack at home is now dismantled.

I have just come across a web site where the info suggests that the IC-706 series can just plug directly into the 9350 auto tune using the 4 pin molex connector on the back of the radio. Then simply hit the "Tune" button on the Icom and stand back. So maybe I should look for a SH 9350 antenna??

Great web site

My call is VK4HF
Cheers
Rick
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Follow Up By: Mad Dog (Australia) - Wednesday, Jan 25, 2006 at 14:23

Wednesday, Jan 25, 2006 at 14:23
Nice call foxy.
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FollowupID: 404347

Reply By: Darian (SA) - Wednesday, Jan 25, 2006 at 15:04

Wednesday, Jan 25, 2006 at 15:04
I'm a staff volly with VKS737 - a members of ours, Alec Daws (was central Vic) deals in used Codans (nothing else) - reckon he would be the full quid on this query - only does mobile but - 0417 566 022 .... he might share an opinion or two. I often refer people to him for prices and advice on gear - don't know if he still there - he wouldn't know me though - last spoke to him a couple of years back.
AnswerID: 150824

Reply By: sonny - Wednesday, Jan 25, 2006 at 16:59

Wednesday, Jan 25, 2006 at 16:59
Fox

On my last trip out through the Alice / Simpson etc 18months ago, I found most times that a tuned long wire performed much better than any of the whips that I were carrying. Contacts were made usually on 80 or 40 metres back to the east coast. Quite often the long wire was very short and often only 6 - 8 foot above ground, given the size of the bushes etc through the desert.

I was running a Kenwood 430 through a small MFJ tuner, but have since upgrade to the 706 also.

Long wire doesn't have the conveinence of an autotune and obviously cannot be used when mobile, but I didn't need to operate mobile and the 5 mins to through it up and tune I could live with.

Regards
Shane
VK4SKH.
AnswerID: 150849

Follow Up By: fox - Wednesday, Jan 25, 2006 at 17:22

Wednesday, Jan 25, 2006 at 17:22
Hi Shane,
Yes the length of the radiator and it's polarization are important factors.
In our Kimberley Kamper, we have a home brew dipole that I constructed some years ago for camping and portable work. It is made up of tuned lengths separated by egg insulators and covers the following bands. 80-40-20-15-10 and 6 metres. It's centre fed and works well, provided you can find a tree of reasonable height to hold it up. Trouble is ..not suitable for mobile and takes a good hour of mucking around to get on air.

The Auto Tune Codan style of antenna can be made more efficient while stationery, by using a loger wire...approx quarter wave as the radiator and this only takes a short time to set up. Thanks all for the feed back...brings new ideas to the think tank.
Regards
Rick
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Reply By: VK3CAT - Wednesday, Jan 25, 2006 at 18:21

Wednesday, Jan 25, 2006 at 18:21
Yes, The 9350 will connect to an IC706 MK2G
Paul Vk3MR researched this a couple of years ago.
See my Website vk3cat website & download the relevant .pdf file from the links page.

Cheers Tony
AnswerID: 150855

Follow Up By: fox - Wednesday, Jan 25, 2006 at 18:41

Wednesday, Jan 25, 2006 at 18:41
Hi Tony,
Great web site and found the link OK.
I'll have to look around for a Second Hand 9350.

See you on the bands sometime.
73's
Rick
VK4HF
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FollowupID: 404388

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