Mobile HF Antenna by N6TWW
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- Опубліковано 2 жов 2024
- In this video I show my mobile HF antenna and how I set up the mount using the standard trailer hitch receiver. More of my antenna projects can be found at: fedler.com/radio "Screwdriver Antenna" "Motorized Antenna" screwdriver scorpion "Scorpion Antenna"
You know what I hate about guys like this? -They do everything right, no Mickey-Mouse-ing, no room for error.
Makes my installations look like junk. I HATE that!
*wink*
Lol
Super video Mike! Not often that we get to see this level of detail and demonstration. The jam bolts on the hitch and banana plugs on the bonding straps are great ideas. Thanks, 73, Bill
Doug, the aluminum quick disconnecting stub along with the threaded stainless rod came with the antenna. Everything including the control wire, 12v cigarette power plug and controller switch came with the antenna. The only thing I had to provide was a secure way to mount the antenna along with the coax from the radio. I had to purchase the second quick disconnect stub for the second mount as an extra purchase. The additional grounding was my work and materials.
Gwen, I glad to hear that you were able to gain some information from my video that will help you with your setup. Hams helping Hams!
Good luck and 73,
Mike
Thanks for the feedback. There is a lot to learn in ham radio and the best way to do it is to try different things so you get the real hands on experience.
A great antenna installation and a super, high quality video presentation. Well done!
Hello Mike, Thank you for the Awesome Video. It was very well done & educational. Your video gave me a lot of options & ideas on how to install a mobile HF antenna on my 03 Buick Regal. It has a trailer hitch installed but it's only for my bicycle rack. Thanks again for your time and the video.
73, Gwen - K6GRH
Mike you did a great job ! THANKS FOR the info. KE7LGD Southwest Utah.
Thanks Levi. I took a look at the pictures you posted on QRZ and it looks like you have done some pretty interesting things on HF. 73
Oh this gives me an idea for MY truck!!!! :-) And being that I am a recently divorced ham with no XYL to complain, I can actually design, build, and MOUNT my idea!!! Thank you so much for the video..Tim KB2RMC
That was superb. Does the grease you put on need to be dialectic? Also, why do you prefer Scorpion over Tarheel?
Thank you, I have been wondering how I would Mount the Scorpion to my truck, (18 wheeler).
I have tow hook brackets in front, much like your tow hook assembly, I'm thinking I should have a fairly decent ground plane.
just curious if there's any way I could modify for NEVIS?
Just getting back into HF after a brief hiatus, so pretty much starting over.
Nice install BTW! You've given me some great ideas.
73's
John C. de KC5JSR
Another great video! Thanks for sharing this!
Some questions; what is the purpose of that external little coil by the base? And second, I've also heard that if the actual radiator, including the internal coil section; was clear above the roof line of the vehicle (highest structure) that the antenna would perform much better. Last, what is the power rating of that antenna in SSB mode? Great vid & thanks for sharing. Hassan N1CY 73's
The small wire coil at the base is called a shunt coil and is used to raise the impedance on the lower bands closer to 50 ohms. (40 & 80 meters) You are correct that if you can put the antenna above the roof line it will work better. My installation is not perfect as far as performance is concerned. Most installations are far from perfect. Mine is a compromise between performance and physical strength. Another thing to consider is the shell on the back of my pickup is made out of fiberglass and is transparent to the RF being generated. I don't know the power rating of the antenna. You could contact Scorpion antennas for that information.
I have a friend that has the Tar Heal and a hitch mount. He was pulled over because the antenna was blocking the license plate. He had to go with the offset mount. Just something to think about.
Bob NE7NE
Always loved those motorized antenna's, maybe they will make one smaller and lighter.....73's
Mark
fantastic video and excellent set up
nice setup for regions that don't have snow and salty road issues. trailer wire connectors are notorious for corroding in the winter climates.
This is a nice set up! I have something I use when our club goes to Lowes for Hurricane prep day and we set up to show what we do to help the County in communications at shelters. I have an antenna for on my hitch for repeater communications, then I can use my truck as cross-band repeater from inside the shelter. Artis N3XGL (Lee County Florida).
I have even heard of that happening with a plain ball on a hitch. It is something to consider. I have never been pulled over and I hope I don't.
I really love the idea, but what have you done about covering your license plate?
I use the hitch that I use to pull the trailer the vast majority of the time. The antenna is offset and does not cover the license plate.
Mike Fedler oh I see, I really like the idea.
Both the hitches have an offset?
No, only the heavy duty one that is made to pull pull my travel trailer.
Nice video Mike! I wonder if your ground wires with banana plugs not slip out on a shaky road? I also use a hitch mount for my Hustler whip; it doesn't wobble that much and I use a piece of scrap metal to wedge it in, that keeps it tight. I use "permanent" braded wires for ground. I am considering a screwdriver antenna and you demonstrated well how to tune it up by the ear. You can watch the SWR also. So far the Hustler works well with an auto tuner. Good luck & 73, ab6ze
Aloha Mike
very nice HF antenna I to know what antenna am buying. I did have a question about your other antenna mount between the tail gate and tail light can you do a video on that? I have a 2006 Silverado. Thanks 73
The 2nd one would work great here in Texas, but the first on would not. The State Trooper will write you a ticket for blocking view of the liscense plate. Happened to a friend of mine.
good idea, always success 👍
The other antenna mount is one I made for my 6 meter antenna. I posted another video about that mount on the last day of December. It is titled "Truck Antenna Mount". It is only about 5 minutes long so it is a pretty quick view.
Nice video. Are you not afraid of a car rearending you and taking your antenna to valhalla?
Also would you mind making a video of the antenna in action? I would like to see the performance that thing can do. Considering purchasing one soon.
awesome video thank you for sharing some great advice
The climate where I live here in the central valley of California is pretty mild compared to many other places. It get down to freezing in the winter but snow is very rare where I live. If I lived in Quebec I would definitely have to change a few things. Thanks for watching.
A little bit of Sanchem No-Ox-Id on each connection would be good where I live. 73 de K0UA
When you drilled through the trailer hitch, did you thread the Trailer hitch.... I hope you know what i am talking about.... its hard to say...
Thanks
Thanks for the reply Mike. Did you ever do a before and after comparison of HF receive and transmit with the bonding? I know it does help but that's a lot of work if there isn't a noticeable difference. Thanks for you patience.
Excellent video Mike. One of the best I've seen. How much bonding did you have to do? I have a 2010 Dodge 3500 p/u with a receiver hitch mount similar to yours. I was considering buying a screw drive antenna but didn't want to deal with the bonding. I know it's important. Thanks again
73 Bob KC6SOT
I bonded the hood to the body on both sides, the bed to the body on both sides and also bonded to the frame. I know that some people have had trouble with electrical noise from their vehicle but I never had any problems even before I did the bonding.
Nice setup but I think you would find mass improvement if you get the coil above the canopy.
As stated in another reply, the canopy is fiberglass and is invisible to RF.
What keeps someone from stealing the antenna? I can see leaving it in place overnight and GONE!
Coolest antenna ever
Websites.com looking it up will show the definition of the stuff going both ways. If it has copper in it you know it's a definite conductive that would be better than one possibly white from being aluminum conductor. I've picked a stick of anti-cease that's impregnated with copper. I've seen an army ships crew member use a can of copper grease to plaster big bolts on riggings above deck. So I figure the copper version is safe on iron and trusted to prevent rust or galling.
Thanks for your comments. I thought this would be helpful to some of you guys.
I would recommend tunning the antenna on FM mode (less interference)
hmmm
Man that's a beery antenna. Might have to upgrade my tarheel to this when it gives up the ghost
Forgot to ask what size bonding strap did you use and how you attached it.
Instead to use standard grease at the base of your antennas you should use cupper grease. This grease is loaded of cupper powder to enfance conductivity. I used this type of grease on my 4 element beam for the 40 meters and I never had the slightest conductivity problem on none of my element.
Great setup but it would be illegal in Australia because the antenna is blocking the view of the number plate. Unfortunately we have pretty strict rules on things like that here Down Under.
Do you know of anyone selling a mount like yours If not I’ll pay you to build me one. I noticed the 6 call I’m in Sacramento Ki6cdi 73
BOM DIA COMPANHEIRO: MEUS PARABÉNS PELA ANTENA ELETRICA TOP? TENHO UMA ESTAÇÃO MOVEL IGUAL A SUA!!! USEI NA DXPEDITION ZY8AM NA AMAZÔNIA PW8BR AMARAL 73
Yes I was wondering what model of antenna is that you are showing here on the video I like the Scorpion antennas going to get one soon.
Scorpion all band antena .
God job my friend .
De YG2ARI
Indonesia
I drilled a hole in the receiver then tapped the hole to put threads in the hole so that the bolt would thread into the hole. When the bolt is installed and tightened done the end of the bolt presses against the hitch. A lock nut is installed on the bolt so that once the bolt is tightened down the lock nut can be tightened down so that the bolt will not back out until the lock nut is loosened up. I hope that makes it clear.
I forgot say the only thing you did wrong is you didn't put it on a Dodge RAM pickup truck. :-)
The banana plugs and socket are all stainless steel and a pretty tight. I have never had one fall out or even start to come out. I had another hitch set up where I use a piece of metal as a wedge like you mentioned but I found it would loosen up over time. I tune by ear first to get close and then use the SWR meter for the final adjustment. The nice thing with a screwdriver antenna is that no tuner is needed so the efficiency is better. 73
For local communications a 2 meter radio is your best bet and you only need a Technician class license. If you want to get back into HF you will have to do some research for which radio to fit you needs since there are so many options. You will need to take a test for a license but code is no longer required and there are now only three license classes: Technician, General and Extra. To get back on HF you will need at least a General class license.
73, Mike
Nice setup. I use the Little Tarheel II. I've got 40 good, but having trouble with 75/80 and 20 so far. Have to get my sheet out for coil placement. They have pic of the coil for the bands. 73 KA9WLU
I didn't think about doing a video on that mount but that sounds like a good idea. I built that mount a few years ago. I don't know how soon I will get to it since the weather forecast here on the west coast is going to be bad for the next several days. I will keep it in mind and put together a video as soon as I can.
This has given me an idea on how to finally mount an HF antenna on my car. Mounting on the roof or fender would be difficult since the metal in those areas is thin and would require significant structural reinforcement to support the weight of a decent antenna. Bumper mount is also not an option due to plastic bumper.
However.... I can install a small hitch on my car without too much trouble (just bolts right on to existing holes in the frame and under the bumper. The hitch would then provide a nice strong mounting point for an antenna!
MTTT3000: I am going to exactly
the same thing on my '90 Crown
Victoria!!!! I was already scoping
out small hitches!! Great minds...!
73s to all, Norman.
You should be able to do something similar. There are receiver hitch mounts that bolt to the rear square bumper of an RV. I have one on the back of my trailer so that I can put a bike rack on it. You could use a setup similar to mine or make a custom mount specific to your needs. Since you RV is fiberglass it should work with the chassis being the ground plane.
So with this set-up you cannot open the tailgate of your truck unless you remove the antenna first, or am I missing something?
You are correct. The antenna is mounted with a quick disconnect mount.
I think you are right about "you can't have too many grounds". I good ground is essential especially in an automotive setup. There are some exceptions where ground loop conditions exist. 73
In order for me to be able to send you a message you have to add me as a contact. Currently messages to you are blocked unless you add the person you want to receive messages from as a contact.
To stop the flopping around use a wood or steel shim.
Look up the trxcommunications 392M HF antenna
Here I am 6 years later and my Scorpion has been on 3 different vehicles.
Still running it like this 9 years later? How has the Scorpion held up? Also, do you really run the RF connections with no weatherproofing? (Not possible here in WNY!)
It is still running, but not continuously. I only run it periodically. Also I live in California and my location has pretty mild weather. If the weather was more severe I'm sure I would take more precautions with the RF connections.
Just came across this video. REALLY NICE JOB!!!
I have a Ford Ranger with no Trailer Hitch, so I have a much thinner Mounting Bracket bolted to the left front Fender Mounting just under the Hood on the left side. The Antenna is the Little Tarheel. Its very wobbly, so it is never on the vehicle when I'm driving. The problem with virtually ALL of today's vehicles is the lack of STRAIGHT surfaces to mount things to. Your Trailer hitch is an excellent solution-at least for your setup. You can get away with that because you have such a long coil; since my Tarheel does not, I'm quite concerned that the body of my Ranger could interfere with the radiation angle because of my shorter coil. Any thoughts you have that could help me with this would be GREATLY appreciated!
Sincerely,
Bruce A. Forster-AC7AA
The model I purchased is the SA680 in the standard stainless steel finish. As you can tell from the video, it looks great.
Yes, the best place to mount your antenna for performance in the center of your roof. That location offers the best ground plane for your antenna and will provide the best overall pattern in all directions. Since there is already a hole for the NMO mount, I think your solution is already provided for you. 73, Mike
I spoke to Ron at Scorpion and this is no longer the way that a Scorpion antenna mounts.
Very good deal on the hitching wiggling around I had the same problem and ended up moving the whole mount.. But I will use this in the future.
Great idea. I wonder if the two holes in your hitch change the load capacity? I’m probably going to do the same thing, I have a travel trailer and a truck with a fiberglass shell. A top hat for stationary use would improve efficiency a bit.
porque ahora que ystale mi antena me marca en cb alerta de antena y con la otra no marcaba
I had threaded my hitch also but the threds go a while. So anymore I weld a nut over the hole in the hitch then put a bolt into it to stabilize the antenna in the hitch. Also I put one in the bottom and both sides of the hitch. The 5 foot 3" stainless tube Predator made bu N9JMX has no problem and has been on several trucks and beats many other antennas at shootouts. See it on youtube... 73 Jimmy, ARRL TC, WX9DX
first off thay make a ruber slip for the recever thay makes a nice tight fit and secend just add a ground wire and use the right gauge solit wire and you can plug it directly into you wireing harnes your ideo was great to tho and works. whare i live we cant use antennas on are cars becus people steal them
That is one wicked antenna! When I was deployed in Iraq, we had one similar mounted to the front bumper. what is the other mount you have on the back right side? I have been looking for something like that.
Even though your video is 5 years old it is still timely. Great job! And thanks for sharing. K7SU
Hi Kelly, thanks for the feedback. I checked out your QRZ page and see we share some common interests outside of radio. 73 for now. Mike
Hello, great work was that! Olá, ótimo trabalho foi isso! You would do one video showing the performance in transmition (transmiting and receiving signal). Congratulations for your effort with all, and for tell to us the experience. And excuse for my poor english!
Very well done, I have a P38 Range Rover and a Codan 7350 which is going to be a pain to mount the Autotune on. Problem with my car is that the bull bars are plastic - so useless and there is very little useful metal around to do a descent mount - so you have given me food for thought (no if only you could open the tailgate - just kidding). I did notice the other mount over the tail light - that was the position I was looking at - how would that mount go with your screwdriver - I am thinking if you antenna could go there I figure your antenna is similar to mine in weight and drag
Cheers de VK4GP (Nigel or Nudge)
As an FYI, the Scorpion antenna is no longer available with the large quick disconnect stud. I found out that fact, after I purchased a new black version, and sold my older but new natural aluminum SA-680. So the 3/4 inch threads of the antenna are now machined directly into the base of the antenna.
Ditto the excellent comments Mike - ti's amazing how many bad videos there are on here. I really like your console. Hope to get a 7000 and patch it into the Ram 8 in. U-connect. Antenna maybe an old Webster Bandspanner to start. 73!
Also for others looking at this site try to get an antenna that has a coil that is above your vehicle! This matters alot on getting your signal to get on the list at a shootout or in a contest...
73 Jimmy, ARRL TC, WX9DX
Very nice setup Mike, I love how you made both mounts and your fabrication. I invested in the High Sierra many years ago and have rebuilt 4 times due to the salty Maine environment. It's amazing it still works good after I think about 15 years. The screw driver antenna is the way to go mobile for sure. That Scorpion is a beast. Very cool. And it looks like it would hold up well here on the east coast. Thanks for sharing this video and 73's from N1TZU...Bob.
Mike is your entire IC-7000 in there, or just the faceplate? Also, can you discuss the bonding location for the Silverado body and any other RF suppression used?
Ok on the fiberglass. I didn't read all the comments and didn't know.
I just have done a bunch of mobile HF with a screwdriver type antenna and have learned a lot of lessons. Enjoy your rid. HF mobile is a lot of fun and really helps to pass the time on long journeys.
Very nice job. What is the approximate length of the antenna and whip when fully collapsed and fully extended? Where did you get the brake light mount and antenna on your Silverado, is it for CB and how long is it?
73 KC1BSE
Answers to your questions:
#1 The overall length is about 111 inches when collapsed and about 128 inches when fully extended.
#2 The brake light mount is homemade. If you want to know more about it, I made a video about it titled "Amateur Radio Antenna Mount by N6TWW ".
#3 The mount was originally made for a 6 meter antenna but I found that 6 meters does not work well at that location. Currently I have a 10 meter antenna on it. The 10 meter antenna is an old CB antenna that has been shortened for use on 10 meters.
Bencher makes some grease called Butter not paste which used to be called almost butter. It's a grease with lots of copper in it. What I did for a hitch is use the Bencher butter grease on the inside of the hitch receiver. Sand and clean it out and have a good electrical contact area on the portion that slides together. Just grease up whatevers bare metal in contact and it works great. Like always you can't have too many grounds si I ran a 8ga solid copper wire ground to the bumper support also.
This is what mobile HF looks like when you go all out.
I am trying to figure out the Best place to install my antenna, the (Comet CA-2X4SR - Broadband VHF/UHF Dual Band) that I'll be using to monitor. I have the NMO mount but on another amateur radio ops you tube channel he mentioned he used the a trunk lip mount on his front door area, I already have a hole on the roof of my truck for an 3/4 inch NMO mount on my roof and i don't want to become too much of a stand out but i also want the best performance i can get. Any ideas?
Hello Mike
I am not a amateur radio Op at this time am planning on taking the exam later this summer to obtain my license What area of Northern California are you located as you mentioned to another person, i am currently in Chico But moving to Redding, i like your Hitch mount creation (clever) i have a 02 ford Ranger and i am preparing to build my system so i can monitor prior to my license then i can broadcast. I purchased an antenna and a NMO mount, but thinking of getting a trunk lip mount
Having the hitch on the back keeps it out of your view of the road. I think it would work just as well on the front as on the back. I do not have the antenna on the truck all the time. When I go to a mall it stays on the truck unless I have to drive into covered parking.
Hello Mike,
Great video.... I am now throughly convinced which mobile HF antenna i will be buying...
As a new ham, i have yet until now, discovered a great mobile antenna.
Thanks again.
Also good luck on your photo shoots. 73 n4ghp
Thanks, positive feedback is always welcomed.
Great video, very informative. I am wondering if I can do something similar for a project I am working on. It's semi-mobile. I want to install a mobile antenna on my RV trailer rear bumper or the rear hitch. The antenna is not for when rolling down the road , but when I am stationary at a camp ground.. I can either setup my mobile rig inside the trailer or outside to enjoy the outdoor. Any suggestions would be welcome. My RV trailer is fiberglass.
How did you make the shunt coil dia of coil length and turns I am thinking of buying this in the spring thanks Mike N8FWD
Be glad you don't live in Pennsylvania. You would be stopped in a heart beat for blocking that much license plate.
Personally I would go and extend the rear bumper area an have a mount on the chassis, you create to mucha work when you have to mount off the tow bar, whilst this is a great option I would tend to look at a permanent mounting option having mount and dismount this will become an issue as you age..
I installed two 102 inch antennas, on a 2018 Jeep Wrangler Sahara Unlimited JK. But they were not cophased. One antenna was actively fed. The other antenna was shorted to an isolated bracket. From the base of the driven antenna a cable was ran to the isolated bracket with the antenna shorted to the bracket. I do not understand this. It seemed that was just merely shorting the antenna to the car chassis in an elaborate way. But the person that had me install the mobile station told me it made for a better ground plane, to run an auto tuner. I do not understand how that works. However, he was the licensed operator, I am not. I am just the installer. At the end of the installation, which just happen to have an Icom IC-7000, I had him run the equipment and the standing wave ratio was near perfect all the way down to 80 meters! The tuner was just some cheap Icom compatible A-180H, or something like that. Maybe there was some truth to what the customer said. He paid me and left extremely happy. I would like to know why the operator had me configure the antennas like that. I invite any licensed operator to inform me of why my customer did this? Oh, the antennas were spaced 2 meters apart, if that makes any difference. The customer did not return for a reinstall, nor did any complaint return to me.
It sounds to me like he had installed the second antenna to act as a counterpoise to the active antenna. I would not know it the second antenna improved the performance without testing the system before and after the second antenna was installed.
@@mefedler I rather believed that, as well. however, I rather thought that the Jeep, itself, would behave somewhat like a counterpoise. But then, does not the vehicle behave as a ground plane instead? I am just a hobbyist. I install stations, modify radios from other services to be used in amateur radio, make antennas, amplifiers, power supplies, manual tuners, and tune already installed antennas, and the such. But the Jeep installation intrigued me. I never saw anything like it. That was over three years ago. It has stayed with me all this time because of the unique configuration. I guess it did what it was supposed to do. I never saw the operator again.
Nice antenna. My luck dictates that I would need to get into the bed of the truck for something, so I plan an extension on the ball bracket for my setup.
Why doesn't it have frequency sensing and automatically adjust itself?
Thank you.
I'm in Northern California. It looks like you are in Southern California. I have always liked the San Diego area.
Any other spot than the trailer mount? I use those points for a winches. I have a 2003 ford explorer.
Nice Mike -- was the vertical stub onto which the antenna slides provided by Scorpion or did you machine it yourself?