[Antennas] QST Mobile Antenna Comparisons

[James Duffer]

I have had some experience with the Hustler and the screwdriver type (High Sierra).  I had very satisfactory experience with the High Sierra.  I must admit they were used on different vehicles therefore I can't give a real comparison.  The advantage of the screwdriver outweighs any advantages of the hustler with the different loading coils.  I didn't have that thing where you could connect several loading coils.  Just IMHO.

Jim  de wd4air

> Date: Thu, 20 Dec 2007 11:55:26 -0800
> To: antennas at mailman.qth.net
> From: iam at pmug.org
> CC: rides at optonline.net
> Subject: [Antennas] QST Mobile Antenna Comparisons
> 
> QST Mobile Antenna Comparisons, by Rich Roznoy, k1of
> November 2007 QST, PG 30, etc.
> 
> Overall, good stuff there I think. Thanks Rich.
> 
> My only negatives about the article are about the poor showing of the
> screwdriver antenna used.
> 
> because, having tried & used a few mobile antennae myself, contary to k1of
> findings about this one tested screwdriver antenna, my "H Stewart Designs"
> Screwdriver Antenna (no longer available) out-performed the few mobiles I
> have tried...but I did not thoroughly test them like k1of tested, either.
> 
> Some thoughts though...
> With regard to the screwdriver type antenna (I have had 2), I notice that
> the one with the larger diameter wire in the coil worked best (most other
> things were equal). In fact, it was markedly better, even on the same
> mount in the same place on my vehicle. I shed tears that I don't have that
> antenna anymore.
> 
> With regard to the QST testing article...
> I think the screwdriver antenna used was far from the best available, in
> that it:
> 1) Doesn't have larger dia. coil wire.
> 2) Has a far-shorter-than-most base section. (I understand that most
> radiation is from the base section of a screwdriver antenna, the whip
> portion acting mostly as a "capacity hat").
> 
> Too, in Rich's testing the screwdriver's whole base section & coil was in
> fairly close proximity to the body/cab of the truck. (perhaps a typical
> installation, but far from ideal).
> -- The best installation I have seen of a short-base Screwdriver Antenna
> was a short-short one mounted to the top of a P/U cab.
> 
> I think that my screwdriver antenna is mounted closer to the ideal. It is
> on a hood-high metal mount which is cantelevered out from under my sedan's
> front bumper ...to keep almost all of the Screwdriver Antenna away from
> body metal.
> 
> Final comment...
> I would now like to see Rich test a few other Screwdriver Antennae in the
> same manner as the others were tested.
> 
> What do you all think about my meanderings here...?
> 
> David B. 
> W7DBH
> Mobile only
> 
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