[Mobile-Portable] Mobile antenna tuner questions

[Rick Markey, KN3C]

Phil,

I'm with Art.  You may still be able to purchase original Johnson 
screwdrivers.  Last I knew they were selling for around $150.  Not pretty, 
but they work.  I've been running Johnson screwdrivers for years and swear 
by them.  I've also run various other mobile antennas with tuners and would 
never go back to using a tuner.  If you want a decent mobile signal, invest 
in a screwdriver or some other resonant antenna and forget the tuner.

de Rick, KN3C


Phil Atchley:

> 3.  I'm considering using an Icom AH-4 autotuner with a whip antenna 
mounted HIGH on the inside wall of the pickup bed.  YES, I realize they may 
be less efficient than a quality screwdriver, but the price meets my budget 
AND I have enough trouble "keeping it between the whitelines" without 
having to watch an SWR meter while tuning!


If the only reason you're not buying a screwdriver antenna is the high
price, let me note that it's possible to build your own.  Don Johnson's
books are available on CD ($24.95)from worldradio http://www.wr6wr.com/
 then search for W6AAQ as the quickest means of finding it.  I've built
screwdriver antennas for under $75 (under $50 if you can find cheap
aluminum drainage pipe) using the info from the two books on the CD
(albeit I have physical original copies), and let me note that
screwdrivers can be gotten close to their final mark just by peaking the
received noise without looking at a meter.
There are also advertised tuning aids for screwdrivers in QST and CQ
which seem to work.
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Your Moderator: Dick Flanagan K7VC, mobile-portable-owner at mailman.qth.net