What HF Aerial for caravan travel ?
Submitted: Monday, Apr 25, 2011 at 10:59
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hazo
Hi
I am a (new to HF) licenced amateur, wondering what multi band antennae's anyone may be using whilst travelling in a caravan, and obviously moving around fairly regularly.
I have a mobile multi-tapped whip on the Troopy, which I can run a cable into the caravan, but find having to go outside to change bands a pain (especially if raining !)
Just wondered what any other amateurs may use ? I have looked at the G5RV, but unsure if it would be suitable in my situation.
I have a Yaesu FT 897D with separate LDG 897 antennae tuner.
A screwdriver type auto tune antennae would not be suitable as it would require power from the vehicle whilst tuning.
Sorry if this is OT, but I know lots of 4WD travellers are amateurs too.
Reply By: snoopyone - Monday, Apr 25, 2011 at 11:04
Monday, Apr 25, 2011 at 11:04
Most use Codan or Barrets which have their own brand Autotune aerials.
Codan 9350 and the new shorter one.
Dont know the number of the Barret one but its fairly short and neat.
Also joinin VKS or the
HF radio club will give you the common frequencies used.
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Follow Up By: Olsen's 4WD Tours and Training - Monday, Apr 25, 2011 at 12:59
Monday, Apr 25, 2011 at 12:59
Barrett Autotune is a 910
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Follow Up By: Olsen's 4WD Tours and Training - Monday, Apr 25, 2011 at 19:33
Monday, Apr 25, 2011 at 19:33
Oh I didn't think it was available yet.
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Reply By: rclaty - Monday, Apr 25, 2011 at 15:45
Monday, Apr 25, 2011 at 15:45
I have the same Yaesu and tuner, but for my trip last year I brought an ATAS-120 and mounted it on the luggage rack. The tuner you've got will pretty much turn any length of wire into an antenna, so you might get away with a squid pole. By using a 9to1 balun on your long wire it will take a lot of noise out.
Robert
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Reply By: Member - Steve M1 - Monday, Apr 25, 2011 at 16:36
Monday, Apr 25, 2011 at 16:36
hazo,
Try out an old AN/GRC-106 or AN/GRC-47. Reel out ant.( horizontal 1/2 wave bi-pole whilst in 1 spot to cover 2.0MHZ to 40.0 MHZ . If wishing to use finner Freq,s reel out antenna wire to specific freq. ranges.
The same can be used with a whip antennae , whist driving.
Just tunning in antennae is important.
No need for for the newer gagets of pre-tuned antennas.
Regards member 6832
Steve Murray.
AnswerID:
452271
Reply By: PeteS - Tuesday, Apr 26, 2011 at 07:29
Tuesday, Apr 26, 2011 at 07:29
Hi hazo
I don't use HF within our van however I use a 10 metre squid pole when camped. This set-up uses tape measures to assist as the ground plane. Works a treat on 40 & 80 metres and it's so easy. Even better you don't need a tuner.
I have a Yaesu FT-857D with a small multi-tapped HF Outbacker Stealth mounted on my bull bar but it does not get out that
well. Also run a dual band 70cm/2m antenna.
There's plenty of details on squid pole set-up on the Internet. If you PM me I'll be happy to send you the model I based
mine on.
73's
PeteS
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Follow Up By: hazo - Tuesday, Apr 26, 2011 at 17:29
Tuesday, Apr 26, 2011 at 17:29
Pete
Could you post details here as I cannot send a pm.?
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Follow Up By: brownie - Tuesday, Apr 26, 2011 at 17:32
Tuesday, Apr 26, 2011 at 17:32
I have a sgc type antenna tuner mounted on the spare wheel carrier, & a long stainless whip. Seems to work
well , and can tune any random wire if needed.
Its simple to use - just press the TUNE button, wait for the clicking to stop (1 to 5 seconds),then talk...........
Cheers, Brownie
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Follow Up By: Bravo 191 - Sunday, May 01, 2011 at 23:01
Sunday, May 01, 2011 at 23:01
I agree, squid poles are the way to go. Cheap, light, take up bugger all space packed away, will fit in a 1.5 metre lenght of 50 mm poly pipe. Anybody who can't build a squid pole based antenna for less than $70 is probably spending too much. I have a 20-40 metre antenna from a design in AR (Wireless Institute of Australia magazine)from a couple of months back, worked first time with no cutting of wire.
Squid pole, $32.95
http://tinyurl.com/3fmz3l8
Heavy duty hookup wire from Jaycar, buy a 100 metre rool, $0.40 per metre CAT. NO. WH3042 and plenty of wire spare your next antenna.
Some nuts and bolts, a few bits of aliminium an SO239 socket, some pop rivets, and some tools. Tha's all it takes to do the job.
Have a look at this one. Both amateur and 4X4 traveller. He seems to have things
well sorted -
http://www.perite.com/perite/index.html
Regards, VK4WAL
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