[ILQSO] mobile antennas

[David Bunte]

I don't know if I am a "Big-Gun" mobile or not... but among the 165 countries I have worked from my F-150 in the past 3 years, I proudly count BS7H on 30 meters.  Nothing beats a whip with an automatic tuner for convenience... but it must be installed very carefully.  Keep the lead from the tuner to the whip SHORT.  

When it comes to mobile antennas bigger is almost always better... but, again, a lot of attention has to be spent on doing it "right".  I am using a PREDATOR, built by N9JXT in Kokomo, IN.  It is one of the largest "screwdriver" type antennas you can find.  Similar is the SCORPION... and another reportedly excellent performer is the HI-Q.  My installation is far from ideal... the antenna is not mounted high enough to be optimal... but it is the best I could do.  In the past month or so I have improved the bonding between body panels and truck bed to the frame of the truck... this has somewhat reduced a few problems I was having with stray RF... but I still have a lot of work to do.

I think few people will dispute my contention that the K0BG.com site is the best single source of information on how to optimize mobile performance.

For QSO Parties I think a horizontally polarized antenna would be great... but have not yet considered how to do that while mobile.  Since I am mobile exclusively, I am continuing to work hard on making my setup better.  The SGC-500 amp certainly makes a big difference... but I may be getting out better than I can hear.

I have never really put my station to the test in a QSO party, since I have been usually working portable with N9FN, but I am having a ball working DX... and it is a real kick in the ego to have a DX station take the time to tell me that I have an awesome signal "for a mobile", even in the midst of a CW contest.  But of course the "for a mobile" part of that might mean my signal sucks, but somehow I was heard... kind of like your doctor saying "...you're doing pretty well... for a person your age."

I am always looking for a little better tweak of my setup, whether it is to yield better performance or greater operating convenience.

Very 73 es GL,

-Dave-
-K9FN/m-



> From: KI9A at aol.com
> Date: Thu, 13 Aug 2009 14:35:13 -0400
> To: ilqso at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: [ILQSO] mobile antennas
> 
> Just curious, been curious since last year.
>  
> WHAT do you big-gun mobiles run for antennas?  If it is a secret  weapon, I 
> understand!  But, some ( most) of you guys are really strong, and  
> obviously hear well.
>  
> 73- Chuck KI9A
>  
>  
> 
> 
> 
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