Temporary Mobile HF Radio Set-Up
Submitted: Sunday, Nov 29, 2009 at 17:21
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Member - Mal W (NSW)
Is there a satisfactory way to temporarily set up a mobile
HF radio system? I have bought a new 4WD which doesn't easily lend itself to installation of my Codan 9350 auto tune antenna and the rest of the radio set-up. I probably also will not be doing as much remote touring as previously, so I was wondering could I just carry all the gear on board and use it only, hopefully, on the rare occasion I might need help or could offer help through the VKS 737 system. I also have a Sangean multiband receiver which would allow me to listen into skeds (but obviously not participate). The earth would seem to be an issue, but I seem to remember reading somewhere where this could be achieved by running a long wire (type and how long ?) along the ground, preferably in the general direction of the station you were trying to contact.
Any advice/suggestions would be appreciated.
Mal
Reply By: Member - John (Vic) - Sunday, Nov 29, 2009 at 17:44
Sunday, Nov 29, 2009 at 17:44
Mal whats the new vehicle?
AnswerID:
393153
Follow Up By: Member - Mal W (NSW) - Sunday, Nov 29, 2009 at 18:43
Sunday, Nov 29, 2009 at 18:43
John,
I have sold my good old 75 series Troopy and bought a MY09 Disco 3 TDV6. Quite a change in technology ! But I need the 7 seats (as opposed to 2 ) to cater for a growing group of grandchildren and SWMBO likes the extra comfort.
Mal
FollowupID:
661213
Reply By: Nomadic Navara - Sunday, Nov 29, 2009 at 18:47
Sunday, Nov 29, 2009 at 18:47
I think you could lash a good temporary install.
First you would need a ladder bar or rack where you can bolt the antenna. Use bolts with wing nuts for quick installation. Run an earth from the base down to where you can attach it to a piece of star picket. When you wish to use the installation you mount the antenna. drive the star picket into the ground, connect the earth wire and piddle on the ground at the star picket.
For leads you may have to make up a slightly longer co-ax cable. You can make up some power leads by getting a set of reasonably sized jumper cables - cut the clips off one end and attach to the 9250.
Apart for the ladder bar or rack (which you can bludge, beg, borrow or steal for the trial) the rest are fairly cheap items. Give this a go. Others may have used other methods and succeeded.
PeterD
AnswerID:
393157
Follow Up By: Member - Mike DID - Tuesday, Dec 01, 2009 at 17:28
Tuesday, Dec 01, 2009 at 17:28
Unless you are on a salt marsh, the ground makes avery poor earth.
You're better off running a wire above ground, eg on bushes or on grass.
FollowupID:
661473
Reply By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Sunday, Nov 29, 2009 at 19:49
Sunday, Nov 29, 2009 at 19:49
One option is to carry a SuperRod instead of the autotune. This is a 9 metre telescopic fishingpole that takes about a minute to set up. You'll need to install a holder somewhere. It performs particularly
well - I've used one for about 5 years now, but I usually run it through my autotune.
For more detail,
Check this thread.
If you're interested, talk it over with Electric Bug in
Adelaide, who manufacture it.
Cheers
Phil
AnswerID:
393159
Follow Up By: Member - Mike DID - Tuesday, Dec 01, 2009 at 17:29
Tuesday, Dec 01, 2009 at 17:29
You can buy 9 metre fibreglass poles for about $30 in Australia, then you can run your own wire up it.
FollowupID:
661474
Reply By: Member - Mark E (VIC) - Sunday, Nov 29, 2009 at 21:56
Sunday, Nov 29, 2009 at 21:56
Probably the best way to do it would e to swap over your remote version of the 9323 with a front panel (local) version, mount it in some sort of protective box, sell the autotune and buy a broadband dipole antenna, such as the
Broadband Propagation portable antennas .
I have both the end fed dipole and the centre fed dipole and find them both very good, far outperforming the autotune in most circumstances. They do, however take a few minutes to erect and clearly are not suitable for mobile use...
To swap your set over, check out
HF Radio.com.au for something like
this.
I have my set with both a front panel for transferring to someone elses car, as
well as the remote head for normal operation.
Cheers,
Mark
AnswerID:
393169
Follow Up By: Member - Mal W (NSW) - Sunday, Nov 29, 2009 at 22:34
Sunday, Nov 29, 2009 at 22:34
Thanks for all the sugestions and it certainly seems possible. Of course I could always sell the lot and rent a satphone when needed.
Mal
FollowupID:
661245
Reply By: Crackles - Sunday, Nov 29, 2009 at 22:58
Sunday, Nov 29, 2009 at 22:58
Could sell the Codan & purchase a QMac
HF radio which can come stored in a case/backpack with temp antenae etc. Take under 5 minutes to set up when required.
LINK
Cheers Craig..............
AnswerID:
393180
Follow Up By: Member - John (Vic) - Monday, Nov 30, 2009 at 00:50
Monday, Nov 30, 2009 at 00:50
Now isn't that a nice little unit.
Good info.
Cheers
FollowupID:
661261
Follow Up By: Member - Mal W (NSW) - Monday, Nov 30, 2009 at 08:45
Monday, Nov 30, 2009 at 08:45
Will check that out. Thanks for the info
Mal
FollowupID:
661269
Follow Up By: Member - Mike DID - Tuesday, Dec 01, 2009 at 17:33
Tuesday, Dec 01, 2009 at 17:33
The QMAC doesn't do anything the Codan - fact a lot less. It has no Mute so you hear crackles and noise the whole time. It has NO displays so you have no idea of battery voltage, output power, SWR etc.
FollowupID:
661475
Follow Up By: Member -Chops - Thursday, Dec 17, 2009 at 22:40
Thursday, Dec 17, 2009 at 22:40
Actually the Qmac does have mute. You turn the volume right down. Then when there is a voice or selcall the volume automatically increases. You are right it doesn't have all the bells and whistles but they can't be too bad as the military buys a lot both ours and other countries. Used to be pretty good value. Not sure about prices now.
Cheers
Col
FollowupID:
664049
Reply By: signman - Monday, Nov 30, 2009 at 10:54
Monday, Nov 30, 2009 at 10:54
You could carry the radio in a case of some kind (like and old school case)..
+ve and -ve leads to attach to battery..
an earth lead and stake- attach to a tent peg or similar (salty
water poured around the stake gives a better earth)..
And I guess you use mainly channel 2 and channel 1...so a 'cut to frequency' wire antenna....
Sorta like an old 6924 set up.
AnswerID:
393219
Follow Up By: signman - Monday, Nov 30, 2009 at 13:51
Monday, Nov 30, 2009 at 13:51
Must add..
Wire length for Channel 1 (5455) would be 13.06m
Channel 2 (8022) would be 8.88m
Soo...you can have a 13.06m long wire..with a 'banana' plug jumper at 8.88m
Connected work on Ch1...open works on Ch2
You will get arguements about the lengths suggested...but these are close enough.
FollowupID:
661286
Reply By: Dandj - Thursday, Dec 17, 2009 at 21:22
Thursday, Dec 17, 2009 at 21:22
Mal, I've been using a SuperRod for a while.
It has some challenges and I've written up my installation experience on my blog if you are interested. See here:
SuperRod 9m Antenna.
Regards,
David
AnswerID:
395512