[Mobile-Portable] Want advice

[Floyd Soo]

David Weilacher wrote:

> Hi;
> 
> I am so new to this that I don't even have a license yet.  (Expect August test)
> 
> I would like a radio suited to both my pickup truck and my sailboat.
> 
> So far my interest is general.
> 
> Can anyone reccomend something specific to make a good starter setup?
> 
> Thanks.
> 
> 
> Dave Weilacher
> .US Coast Guard licensed captain
> .    #889968
> .ASA instructor evaluator and celestial
> .    navigation instructor #990800
> .IBM AS400 RPG contract programmer
--------------------------------------------------------------------

Dave,

We have some things in common...

I operate from my Chevy Trailblazer, from my 36' express cruiser and 
from that vessel in her slip.  All 3 situations are different and 
require different attention to details.  What's common is my rig, an 
Icom 706 MK IIG. As far as a rig is concerned, the 706s, the FT-100s (or 
any of the latest tiny mobile HF, VHF, UHF rigs) will be fine in these 
services.  I had the opportunity to use the TS-50, the FT-100 and the 
IC-706 in the shack at the same time to compare.  I even had the 
opportunity to check on the different versions of these rigs; suffice to 
say that they are fairly close, some rigs do some things better than 
others, but considering that these tiny "dc to daylight" rigs have so 
many features packed into such a small package, they really are 
fabulous!  I'll leave the discussion about the rigs for another time...

As far as the antennas are concerned, I use a custom "bug-catcher" style 
antenna on my SUV.  It is 13.5' from the ground to the corona ball.  It 
has a large coil just above the center of the antenna with taps for 
different bands.  The other half of this system is the remote controlled 
antenna tuner that sits at the feedpoint of the antenna.  It has a 
motorized vacuum variable cap in it to resonate the sys, as well as a 
tapped torroid and 12VDC relay bank to select the proper tap in the 
torroid to properly match the feedpoint impedance.  This antenna sys is 
good for 10 dB, at times, when compared to Hustlers, Hamsticks and 
Outbackers (like having a KW compared to 100W!)

With that said, I still use a set of Hamsticks regularly!  On the higher 
bands, like 15M, 17M, 20M and even 40M, these antennas work very well 
for what they are.  (The Hustlers on these bands actually work well too, 
but I prefer the Hamsticks and ProAm whips because they are lighter and 
offer less wind resistance.)  I use a triple magnet mount for my 
Hamsticks on vehicles other than my SUV.  So when I am in my XYL's (or a 
friend's) vehicle or in a rental vehicle, I can use this antenna system 
and get good results from it.  75M Hamsticks are just a little bit too 
much a compromise, but they do work, albeit marginally.  What you have 
to keep in mind is the other half of the antenna sys and that is the 
counterpoise (commonly referred to as "ground").  The ground that we are 
talking about here is RF ground, not DC ground.  If this portion of the 
sys is working correctly, the antenna will radiate!  My triple magnet 
system capacitively couples to the metal body of the vehicle (thru the 
paint and pads) enough that most times I do not have to do anything else 
for grounding, especially on the higher bands that I mentioned above. 
The crapshoot is whether or not the cigarette lighter system in the 
vehicle will allow you to run 100W or not!  Some do, some don't!  If it 
doesn't, you will have to run at reduced power levels (unless you can 
get a more direct connection to the battery).  Every installation is 
different in that regard AND in the QRM (noise) regard!  Again, a topic 
for another time...

I use the same Hamsticks on my vessel when I am cruising around the 
Great Lakes.  I have a clamp mount that I secure to the bow rail at 
anchor or tied up at a transient slip.  The bow rail is the counterpoise 
and this system works as well as it does on the vehicles!

In my own slip, I have a 1960s vintage Webster Marine SSB whip that was 
originally designed for the 2.5 Mc band.  I have secured that 21' whip 
to the wood piling at the end of my finger pier.  At the base of that 
antenna I place a SGC SG-239 auto-tuner.  The ground of the tuner is 
connected to the metal pilings and latticework (and the seawall) under 
the finger pier (with wire braid).  I run coax and power to the tuner 
and can operate all HF bands from below, automatically!

On many a blow-boat, rag-baggers have used an auto-tuner in the 
lazarette (or somewhere astern near the top of the transom) to load up 
on the back stay.  Consult an experienced marine electronics tech so you 
can be sure that sys has the structural integrity that you need, in 
addition to the RF integrity that you want!

As far as grounding is concerned, everything in the ship's ground should 
already be bonded together (should be green wires in the bilge).  If 
this is not sufficient, many a mariner has laid copper foil in the 
bilge, below the waterline in an effort to gain more metallic area. I've 
heard good and bad about those grounding plates you can bolt on the 
transom, tho' I have never used one myself.  Whatever you do here will 
determine how efficient your antenna sys will be!

Bottom line is this:  Any of the new-fangled, small HF rigs will 
suffice; you just have to figure out your own preferences or find the 
best deal on one.  As far as antennas, start with a set of Hamsticks, as 
they are cheap and much more pleasing to the untrained (unappreciative) 
eye.  Yes, they are narrow in their bandwidth and power handling 
capability and you have to change antennas to change bands, but they 
WORK and at $10 to $20 each, they are affordable! If you decide to use a 
more permanent mount on your pick up, make sure you have a good RF 
ground connection (books have been written on this subject!).  Your next 
option will be something like a small screwdriver style antenna 
(ATAS-100, High Sierra, Predator...), but it needs a much more robust 
mount (sure is convenient, tho'!)...

There are several place for great info, books, web sites, etc.  I am 
involved with the HF mobile antenna shootouts that our 3875 Gang 
sponsors in Anderson, IN.  We've been comparing HF mobile antennas, 
twice a year for almost a decade now.  We've learned a lot and are still 
learning!  We've had hams from as far away as California come and 
compete!  If you want more info, go to:  www.kj9t.com and check out the 
  "shootout" stuff (btw, you'll see a pic of my stink-boat on that site 
too).  You are going to begin a journey (of learning) that will 
encompass the rest of your time that you will spend in this wonderful hobby!

Have fun and hope you find fair WX and calm seas...
-- 
73,
Floyd Soo, W8RO
President, HI-RES Communications, Inc.
President, Collins Collectors Association (member #2)
floyd at hi-rescom.com
http://www.hi-rescom.com