New HF with Manual Whip

you actually are willing to get out of the car to change frequency? you champion!

If you become a bit of a channel surfer you will tire of getting out of your vehicle and winding the lead around the antenna every time you want to check another channel.If you buy new,you will save money by buying a tapped whip.
Dealers want to sell you the whole set-up mostly because they will make more money supplying and fitting the unit.

the manualwhip is fine for using vks channels as you would mostly only use one or two channels but if you use the hf to make phone calls you might have to change channels much more this could be a pain....have you tried to make phone calls with a hf ???????????

goodday tim
we have just had installed a new codan with autotune aerial
we previously had an older codan with tapped whip and it stayed on vks channel 2 because after the 1st 12 mths mainly couldnt be bothered getting out to change taps and if you like to listen to macca on sunday or other such programs you have to change taps
also when you get closer to a base station and you need to change to channel 1its out to change the tap and if you were lucky enough to be somewhere its pouring with rain you either miss the sked or get soaked
i made the rear fitting for my gu patrol fits in behind the spare wheel so you dont have to remove the aerial to take the wheel off and the is no obscured vision in front
you will get arguments both ways but after 3 weeks i reckon its better than sliced bread

just my opinion

steve

Tim,
You may find that the dealer will charge you "extra" for the tapped whip, as they will have to order it separately from the supplier.

If it were me, I would get the standard package, and maybe get a second-hand tapped whip or an emergency whip such as the "firecracker" as a spare
" target="EOF" class="lbg">www.bushcomm.com.au/ in case the A/T get damaged.

No affiliations with the above supplier, just think that it is a good idea.

My .02

Stu

Tapped whips were invented by those who had never seen rain, a duststorm , bulldust from a passing vehicle, snow or night time.
They never thought about scanning a range of channels to listen for selcalls.

Whips are great, but go the autotune.

Autotune antennas from the majors are seriously overpriced.

As VKS737 only has a few frequencies and you'll probably only use two of those I suggest a tapped whip. Look here:

www.qsl.net/vk3frc/club_projects.htm

and e-mail the club - cost is about $200 iirc and they are an excellent product. (AB - can I apply for a commission? :)

Mike Harding

OK, I've done a backflip and am now pursuing a mounting solution for autotune on a swing arm rear wheel mount (Kaymar) on my 75 series troopy wagon. The swing arm has the high lift jack between the rear door and the spare, and so the standard Kaymar bracket will not suit.

I am going to get a bracket fabricated to site the autotune behind the spare, next to the high lift.

My question is what is the required dimensions for the bracket? I understand a hole is required for the 1/2 inch whitworth. How big does the top surface of the bracket need to be? I assume a flat surface on top? Underneath - just enough room to get get a spanner in? Any other requirements?

I am planning on the base of the bracket being at the same height as the bottom of the window. I will not have 160mm at the base, but it will be against glass. At the top of the window (ie. the closest steel) there will be 160mm + clearance. Will this be OK?

Thanks for all replies so far - it is certainly helping with decision making.

I'm still after dimensions of required mounting plate for a Barrett HF ariel. I need to describe to local fabricator so he can make the bracket to fir my wheel carrier - but don't yet have the aeriel. Anyone able to help?