HF Multi Tap Antenna Tuning

Here is your change for what it is worth.
Have a look at the RFDS web site, they should have the stations listed . However they may relay to H.O. so, which ever is closest to the big finger will be relaid. ie Charleville.

Tony

Brad

The bottom plug stays where it is and you wind the tap (wire with plug on it) into the plug you need to listen too. eg vks 2 vks 5 etc. wind the wire around the pole as you feed it.

VKS-737 channel 2 is what you should leave it on and change it to Channel 1 during skeds

Richard not grumps

Hi Brad,
Like above, the bottom tap wire is always installed into the bottom tap of the Antenna,just wind the wire to the required tap that has the frequency that you require. The only time that you did away with all the taps and the wire was in the case of an emergency, and would trigger the emergency call bottom, which would transmit on frequency 2020. Do not rely on contacting the RFDS, as they did away with log in calls years ago. Back then you had to have a Mobile Outpost Radio Licence, then register that call sign with any RFDS base that you wanted to talk to.
I hope that you have a VKS-737 licence, as their service is second to none with the best base station layout across Australia.

Have a great trip.

Cheers

Stephen

Hi If your antenna is marked in frequencies you would be looking for 8022 or 5455. If you only have the taps numbered different problem. On one of my antennas that is numbered 1-16 tap 11 is 8022 and tap 7 is 5455. Apart from that trail and error during sked times. As long as you dont transmit no damage should be done. Good luck and enjoy the cape ,it;s a great trip.

Teza

Thanks Guys, just the info i was after

Cheers, Brad

Hi Brad,
Sometimes a passing branch or whatever can damage or destroy the original wire. The length is critical, and if you have to repair the original, you may not get the correct length again.
As a useful backup, I suggest you carry a replacement wire with banana plugs. Some insulated automotive copper wire, similar to the original, fitted with banana plugs at the ends and cut to exactly the same length as the original. The plugs are avail from Dick Smith's, Jaycar, etc. Just make sure you get good-quality plugs, pref silver-plated, as the cheapies tend to fall out.
Colour of both wire and plugs is optional :D

Gerry