9350 auto tune
Submitted: Thursday, Jul 21, 2011 at 12:21
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87693
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al
Hi guys. I can buy a reconditioned 9350 auto tune at a good price. can any one who has one of these fitted tell me if they can stand up to severe corrugations like the Anne Beadell,
cape york, gunbarrell tracks. I have done these tracks so using them as an example. Pros and cons would be good. If not can you recommend a better one.
Thanks in advance
AL
Reply By: Member Al (Sunshine Coast) - Thursday, Jul 21, 2011 at 12:50
Thursday, Jul 21, 2011 at 12:50
Hi Al, Knowing the internal components and construction of auto tune HF antennas I could say that they have some fragility, more so than a tapped whip.
However Codan's website says this of the 9450.......
"Rugged design."
"The 9350 antenna is constructed to withstand the severe environmental conditions usually experienced in some of the more remote areas of the world. It meets or exceeds the shock and vibrations requirements for MIL-STD-810."
Read more on their website:
Codan.
AnswerID:
460493
Reply By: Member - Andrew L (QLD) - Thursday, Jul 21, 2011 at 12:50
Thursday, Jul 21, 2011 at 12:50
I have an autotune mounted on my rear wheel carrier arm. Bought it 2nd hand with the NGT.
Has been faultless, several Simpson trips,
Canning Stock Route, Tanami, Plenty/Donohue, lotsa bush, even managed to back into a tree in
Vic high country and pushed my spare wheel into the autotune which then pushed into rear door, breaking window and distorting door which had to be replaced.
Autotune survived fine.
In my opinion, the worst place for an autotune is on the top bar/loop of a bullbar, now that is where it will get subject to vibrations, being a fair way from the bullbar mounting on the chassis, buzzard strike, trees and traffic.
If you can, mount the autotune so as
the tip of the autotune/bottom of aerial is at the height of your vehicle, so that with the aerial removed, the autotune does not become a risk in buildings or increase your headheight.
AnswerID:
460494
Follow Up By: racinrob - Thursday, Jul 21, 2011 at 15:45
Thursday, Jul 21, 2011 at 15:45
My only comment would be don't use the spring on top of the Autotune with the stick aerial as it will cause cracking, just use the whip aerial, very little if any difference in signal strength.
Have run my autotune on the top loop of the bullbar for many years and done all the big
treks without any drama.
rr VKE237 Sel 6678
FollowupID:
734179
Follow Up By: olcoolone - Thursday, Jul 21, 2011 at 16:27
Thursday, Jul 21, 2011 at 16:27
SOooooo why does Codan recommend the spring if you say it will cause cracking?
Thought the reason for the spring was to stop cracking.
FollowupID:
734188
Follow Up By: OREJAP - Thursday, Jul 21, 2011 at 18:46
Thursday, Jul 21, 2011 at 18:46
I have had
mine mounted to a plate behind spare wheel which is on the rear door on a cruiser,patrol & two Pajero's without any internal damage. Over 13 yrs & numerous trips which included severe corragations. As a side issue I would not mount it on a bull bar becasue if the object is more that 30mm it will be illegat as obsctructing your forward vision....that's in Victoria but I dare say other states would be the same.
FollowupID:
734211
Follow Up By: racinrob - Thursday, Jul 21, 2011 at 21:06
Thursday, Jul 21, 2011 at 21:06
olcoolone. Using the rigid stick aerial on the spring eventually causes cracks to the top of the Autotuner or so I've been told by other members of my HF club regardless of what Codan say.
rr VKE237 Sel 6678
FollowupID:
734225
Follow Up By: olcoolone - Friday, Jul 22, 2011 at 12:53
Friday, Jul 22, 2011 at 12:53
Sure it's not "if you don't use a spring".
I find it hard to believe as Codan is very quick to address issues and the 9350 has been around since 1993, would of thought they would if fixed it by now.
Maybe an urban myth?
FollowupID:
734290
Follow Up By: Member - Mark E (VIC) - Friday, Jul 22, 2011 at 22:14
Friday, Jul 22, 2011 at 22:14
The thin stainless steel whip will give you similar performance and does not place so much stress on the top of the composite black housing.
If you're really worried about maximising the performance, longer whips can be purchased.
I hardly ever use the big black whip these days.
Cheers,
Mark
FollowupID:
734354
Reply By: The Landy - Thursday, Jul 21, 2011 at 14:13
Thursday, Jul 21, 2011 at 14:13
They are built to withstand the type of treatment you indicate, rough roads, corrugations etc. We had no problems with ours in 4 years of usage. Although, I recently upgraded to the Codan 3040 autotune which is mounted low on the front bulbar (where a winch would be) and it is an excellent unit...
Good luck with it.
AnswerID:
460503
Reply By: Member - Boobook - Friday, Jul 22, 2011 at 06:09
Friday, Jul 22, 2011 at 06:09
Al, one thing to
check is the serial number of the 9350.
The serial number is a letter followed by about 4 numbers. Eg E1234
If the one you are looking at buying is an A series Serial number then you should make sure it has been refurbished. There are some changes that ruggedise it.
If you need it to be checked over Peter at Lara electronics. can go over it and bring it up to a D spec if necessary. I think it is about $300 from memory.
AnswerID:
460564