My HF Mobile Set Up
My mobile set up uses a Kenwood TS-590SG. It feeds a kludged together semi home built antenna and a Lakeview Quad mag mount. The mag mount is bonded to the vehicle chassis with 2 sets of ground straps. The loading coil is a B&W 3033 Airdux coil with taps for 15-20-40Mtrs. The coil is mounted on a piece of PVC pipe, capped with a 3/8" X 24 pitch threaded stud. The tap base is also on the bottom. On top is aanother 3/8" X 24 pitch stud with a lock washer,nut and a coupler. The coil ends are connected to both the top and bottom of the PVC pipe. On the top, is a 102 inch CB whip antenna. For 80 meters, I use a modified PRO AM 80 Meter antenna and the loading coil. Instead of removing the antenna and adjusting the whip, I can adjust the tap at the loading coil. For 10 meters, I remove the loading coil and mount the antenna directly to the mag mount. The total length of the antenna just over 9Ft. The top of the antenna is 14.5 ft from the ground after factoring in vehicle height and the loading coil. The car is a 1997 Chevrolet Lumina and I do not experience any problems when transmitting while in motion. A seperate deep cycle marine battery is used when operating mobile and I have not tried to operate the rig from the vehicle's electrical system. For safety's sake, I try not to operate while in motion, but will pull off to the side of the road or highway. I have traveled at speeds up to 70 MPH with this antenna system without any problems. With this set up, I have worked DX stations as well as stations in the US.
This mobile antenna has low SWR on 10 through 80 Meters. I have received excellent signal reports with this antenna system. For additional grounding, I use 3/8" wide tin plated copper braid bonded to the mag mount and to the vehicle body. When I installed the braid, received signals went up about an S Unit and my SWR curves narrowed a bit, indicating improved efficiency.
In 2012 I purchased another Chevrolet Lumina. As a test, I installed 4, 8ft radials and mounted them to the grounding lug on the mag mount. I ran the radials along the left front and rear and the right front and rear of the vehicle. I tucked them under the rubber gasket for the front windshield and rear glass. I then tucked them along the rain channel for the hood and trunk. On the air tests showed there was no difference between using this technique and using ground braid bonded to the vehicle. Later I used the same technique with rental cars with similar results.
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Copyright © 2007, 2009, 2012, 2016 by Eric A. Snyder, All rights reserved.