[Elecraft] Mobile/portable antennas

[T. David Yarnes]

Keith and All,

Like you, I had pretty good success with my Outbacker.  I 
used it for years with a mag-mount on top of my vehicles, 
and it worked well.  It took a lot of abuse too.  Now, it's 
not equal to many of the bigger screwdriver types, or the 
Bug Catcher, etc., but given it's somewhat compromise design 
I thought it was a good antenna.  I never tried to use it as 
a portable antenna though, and I don't think that would be 
as good as something like the PAC-12 or MP-1 systems.  Those 
systems are more versatile, in that you can add sections, 
etc.  The MP-1 makes a good mobile antenna in a pinch. 
Actually, it performs pretty darn good as one.

My Outbacker model was the Perth, and that is longer than 
several other Outbacker models.  I've heard that the shorter 
models seem to not work as well.  Possibly that is what the 
other person was using.  I don't think Outbackers have 
faired particularly well in shoot-outs, etc., but it worked 
as good as my Hustlers did, and several other types.  But 
I've since changed to a Tarheel, and I like that better.

Dave W7AQK

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Keith Bainbridge" <vk6xh at arach.net.au>
To: <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Sunday, March 02, 2008 7:22 AM
Subject: [Elecraft] Mobile/portable antennas


> Just a quick word to say  totally disagree with KK5F's 
> comments about the Outbacker antennas.
> I and many of my club mates use them on a daily basis and 
> they certainly do work.
> I am mobile at work and consistantly get excellent reports 
> using my Outbacker on 40 and 20 mtrs over a 500-800 mile 
> path from my Mitsi outlander with 100w and a TS 50.
> I also have had many DX contacts on 20 and 15 mtrs while 
> driving around Western Australia.
> Just cos you have had no luck dont paint the antenna 
> black. Many many people use them daily and get excellent 
> results, including Police, Army, and Emergency Services.
> It even may have saved a life once as it has the RFDS ( 
> Royal flying doctor service) tap and I was able to call 
> for help with a heart attack patient.
> I also have a Tarheel 200HP and that works well too.
> I'm surprised you made such a categoric statement about 
> how bad the Outbacker was.
> I will send your comments to Terry at Outbacker ( only 10 
> miles from here ) for his consideration.
> Maybe he will contact you.
> probably not.
> 73
> Keith
>
> -- 
> Keith VK6XH / VK6DXR
> Secretary Northern Corridor Radio Group Inc VK6ANC
> Chairman WIA VK6 Advisory Committee.
>
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