Im a better HF ariel than - an ariel!

So you'll be hanging on to the aerial wire while you drive from now on until it's fixed eh :)))))))))

Regards

Need more input. Is it a hand-held radio? In either case the problem is probably that what was lacking was a decent ground plane. Hand held radios are designed to use the body of the user as a partial ground plane, whereas mobiles use the vehicle roof, bull bar, bumper bar or whatever as a ground plane. For vehicles you can get ground plane independent antennas which if you look at them have an artificial ground plane which is a little coiled bit about 1/3 the way up the antenna. Think of the capital letter L, or better still capital T upside down (can't type that one on my 'puter) the bottom bit is the (metal) ground plane and the vertical bit the antenna. No bottom bit no work so good. On the other hand you could be right, could be the SET needs a proper earth, or you have a loose connection between the antenna & the radio. If it is a mobile set it may well work properly once attached to you vehicle, same as it did when it was attached to you /your hand / your arm. Cheers

Hi, I had a similar problem with my codan antenna, so I unscrewed the base & earth strap, got a wire brush and very carefully cleaned the area's where I earth from.

Low & behold, or should I say low & menohold...! everything started to work as good as the day I had fitted the unit.

It pays to have a the earthing area's removed and crashed/wirebrushed every now & then.

Good luck.

The reason it worked better is because your aerial was detuned. The possible reasons might be
1.crook earthing, especially under the spring base
2 wrong tap on aerial
3 crook aerial ..they have to be tested whilst flexing

Might be your Fillings in your teeth:-)

Hello Davoe
Try it with your TV - Can you get Foxtel? If so, what is your hourly rate?
Cheers
Greg

I wouldnt go touching the PTT button when touching the aerial, those RF burns are awfully painful

dave

It a prick when you ask a genuine question and get funnies

but go to the members file swap site under members and have a read of a file named Barrett

Richard

Davoe

Sorry to big try this site 914 manual tapped whip antenna

Site Link

Richard