Antennas

[kroving]

I am planning to improve my HF antenna on my 36" Carriage Cameo 5th wheel. My interest, right now, is on a "screw driver". I am, however, open to what ever experiance or advice, any one else has had.

[runaways]

I am planning to improve my HF antenna on my 36" Carriage Cameo 5th wheel. My interest, right now, is on a "screw driver". I am, however, open to what ever experiance or advice, any one else has had.

The best way to use ham radio in campgrounds is to use the smallest, unotrusive antenna possible. I have had good luck with a 66ft dipole and a small mfj [100w] multituner. A 3 section telescope mast is good if you can get permission. If all else fails a vertical is probably the ant of last resort. use one that doesnt require radials. I made a clamp to fasten mine to the ladder of the 5th wheel and use the frame for the radials. There are lots of options.

gud dx
walt
N5EQY

[kroving]

Thanks Walt
You are right about keeping the lowest possible profile. To many people, the presance of a large antenna means that IT IS THE CULPRET in anything that goes on in the campground. That is one reason that I am interest in the "YANKEE" SCREW DRIVER. iT IS VERY SMALL.

Great DX to you & 73

[mdock2]

I have 38' Dutch star DP, and was thinking of using a 30' push-up with some type of folded dipole, as a new General, i'm trying (and of course failing) on my ant designs, but have a good elmer. was thinking of attaching push-up to rear of unit by way of a temp. mount. but who knows, may or may not work. have not been to a lot of cg's and seen other ideas..

KI4NAI

[kroving]

Hi Mdock2
I have seen a couple of rigs with push up poles but it looks like to much trouble to put it up and take it down, for me. Also where do you store a push up in a rig. I guess I am lazy but if it is a lot of work to put it up, I won't. Also as an other poster said, we need to keep as low a profile as possible in the campground. It is amazing how ignorant most people are when it comes to the transmition of RF. If you have a big antenna, and you have a very cloudy day, you they may accuse you of causing the sun to not come up. Hi Hi But I accualy have been looked down on for rediculous things, just because I had 20' trapped vertical sticking up from the back of my rig. Everyone seems to have heard about lightning striking someones "BIG" antenna and buning up all the rigs around it. We know that it diden"t hit the antenna but rather some taller "grounded" near by structure and would have done so even with out the antenna. But, people know better. So keep a low profile if you can.

73
Dave

[whodo]

Hi Mdock2
It is amazing how ignorant most people are when it comes to the transmition of RF. If you have a big antenna, and you have a very cloudy day, you they may accuse you of causing the sun to not come up. Hi Hi But I accualy have been looked down on for rediculous things, just because I had 20' trapped vertical sticking up from the back of my rig. Everyone seems to have heard about lightning striking someones "BIG" antenna and buning up all the rigs around it. We know that it diden"t hit the antenna but rather some taller "grounded" near by structure and would have done so even with out the antenna. But, people know better. So keep a low profile if you can.

73
Dave

Dave
Your statement is so true. We were recently in Valley of the Rouge State Park in Oregon, and had a RVer parked in the site next to ours tell me that he could not get satellite reception because of my ham antenna (a screwdriver ant.). It didn't matter that he had a roof mount dish aimed directly into dense trees, I was blocking the Satellite signal and he was going to notify the FCC.
Being the helpful type, I dug out a spare dish and mount, aligned it and let them use it so that they could watch TV. Oh yeah when we left a day later, I told them to keep the dish and stand for the next time they were in the trees.

[mdock2]

I can just see the looks when this 38' dutch star pulls in and someone puts a pole behind the unit with wires going in different directions.. answer to the question---- the unit creeps backwards sometimes, so the pole holds it in place. Bet you 10 t0 1 that someone will volunteer to check the brakes.

[kroving]

Well, Ya'll
I have ordered a Yankee screw driver antenna. Check it out at www.mobilehamhq.com . I ordered the 2 inch model. Very attractive price. Also very small as antennas go. The coil is only 14' long and I have a 5 1/2 foot fiberglass whip to put on top of it.. I will keep you all informed as to how it works.

Dave
KJ4OR

[whodo]

[QUOTE=kroving;2789]Well, Ya'll
I have ordered a Yankee screw driver antenna. I ordered the 2 inch model. Also very small as antennas go. The coil is only 14' long and I have a 5 1/2 foot fiberglass whip to put on top of it..

Hmm the coil is 14' long!! Last time I checked the 2" model was 17" long, sorry couldn't pass up the opportunity.
I for one will be interested in your reports as to how well it works. I have never bothered to spend enough time on HF while camping to justify the price of one. The XYL just points at a tree an says hang a wire, yeah she's a ham also.

[mdock2]

That's what i been doing, but someday soon (after the rally) it might cool down so i can work outside on my antennas. Like I've said before, I've not seen (maybe by design) a lot of antennas at the campgrounds I've been at. BUT will be checking at the rally, but since flying in, can't take any rigs other than my handheld but will be on 2-meter...

ki4nai

[kroving]

Hi whodo
I will report on the antenna, when I get it. I want a white one and Tom diden't have one. His "shop" was under repair and expansion plus he was chairman of a big ham convention going on there in Soux City so he promised to build me one in about 3 wks. I have the control wire run and am ready for it when it gets here.

Dave KJ4OR

[revjimbilly]

checking into this very delightful and useful forum...WA6GMB/7 ( I know dont have to do the seven anymore) QTH Riverton, UT, have been a ham since the mid 50's...(hmmm half century club?) anyway, mobile work mostly 2 meter and 23cm....have a base station which is dual powered and will one day work it in the travel trailer...or maybe even mobile...but find the conversations interesting, especially the earlier invite to help friends become ham operators.....so will be looking around for fellow rv'rs...from time to time....just listen for " Wobbly After 6 Good Mellow Beers " 73's Jim

[kroving]

Hi whodo
I will report on the antenna, when I get it. I want a white one and Tom diden't have one. His "shop" was under repair and expansion plus he was chairman of a big ham convention going on there in Soux City so he promised to build me one in about 3 wks. I have the control wire run and am ready for it when it gets here.

Dave KJ4OR
I GOT IT!!! It is an absolutly beautiful unit and looks so hansome on the back of my trailer - "BUT", it is not working right, YET. The best I can get is 8:1 SWR. That is what my Hustler antenna was doing so it is logical to assume that I have some other problem. The most logical is a grounding problem so I am looking into that now. I will keep you informed.

Dave KJ4OR

[whodo]

Sounds like a bad coax going to the antenna. I would check it first.

[svhs71]

Hi all...I use a Comet UHV-6...check it out online...pretty small foot print and does a fine job for me on my TV and my 5th wheel. I also take a Maldol HVU-8 along with me when I don't have much time to put it together...Yes, I take it apart and put it together every trip...that works pretty good also....with the UHV-6, I also use an LDG Z-100 Tuner and it works well...been getting great reports when on the road with the UHV-6...I just could not see paying the big bucks for the screwdriver, what ever brand...then to get the auto tuner for it....I use an Icom 706 (original) only HF/VHF and 6M....good luck and happy dxing...73 de K3MP Mark

[kroving]

Welcome to the QSO Mark
Thanks for the info both on antennas and digital. I am not familiar with the digital TNC you have . Who markets it? I have been most interested in the MFJ units. On the antennas, you are much more energetic than me. I have to have simple, easy and quick up and down or I just won't do it. I am still learning how to operate my "Yankee" screwdriver. Tom (the fellow that built my antenna) is a fantastic tech. and fount of info. I will post more when I get it all figured out.

Dave KJ4OR

[svhs71]

Just check out Saratoga PSK online...it works really good for me....

[kroving]

I GOT IT!!! It is an absolutly beautiful unit and looks so hansome on the back of my trailer - "BUT", it is not working right, YET. The best I can get is 8:1 SWR. That is what my Hustler antenna was doing so it is logical to assume that I have some other problem. The most logical is a grounding problem so I am looking into that now. I will keep you informed.

Dave KJ4OR

8/30/07
The antenna is working very well. I am exstatic :D over the reports I am getting. I do want do do a little more fooling around with the ground but what the heck, that's what its all about...:rolleyes:

Dave KJ4OR

[whodo]

Well what did you find wrong? Bad coax? Bad ground? uhh?

[kroving]

I now have the new screwdriver up and running and it is great. I am getting good signal reports with it. It takes a bit of wireing to install it because you need a two conductor wire (lamp cord) to run the motor, in the antenna, up and down. But it is very much worth the effort. I do not travel with it mounted on the trailer. I have plugs to connect the antenna (the control wire plugs came with it) so I can just unplug it and remove it from the mount and store it in the basement. It takes about 2 min. to mount it or take it down.
73
Dave KJ4OR

[kroving]

Along with my new screwdriver antenna, I added an MFJ "low pass" filter. Boy, I should have done that years ago! In the past, my HF rig really messed up the picture on our TV's. And if it did it to ours, I guess it did it to all around us. With this filter on, I can't see the slightest hint of interferance on our TVs. I guess it just takes time for me to get smart enough to make an improvement!

Dave
KJ4OR

[wannabetravlin]

Howdy from Texas...I've been running a High Serria screw driver antenna now for over 6 years and I really love it. Using an Icom 706MKIIG with the little 10 watt manual tunner accessory and only a 100 watts and its been absolutely super.

Yes it's a little expensive but worth every penny, plus you can mount it a 100 different ways. You can take the stinger off and its great for 6 meters when that band is open as well.

I know several who've mounted the antenna to the goose neck and have great results there as well. Run it either in the truck or in the RV with an extra set of cables. Tooooo Cool!!!

KA5G

[safari1]

Just wondering if anybody around. Looks like a while since any posts. Anyway new licensed general KE7VSC and have a 718 Icom plus a FT101E I am working on. Fulltime in motorhome but parked here in Portland fo winter while get new knees. Have been reading your comments on the Screwdriver antenna and am about ready to order one. In RV park are fussy about putting anything up so this should work out. Old retired Navy CTM so electronics no problem but code kept me off for years. Anyway any particulars on setting up the screwdriver? Plan to hang it on Ladder and run good ground to frame. Roof fiberglass but think has steel cross members under it. Maybe give me some groundplane..Someone also suggested awning clamp rail at top was bolted into steel frame. Tnx for any input JohnD

[kroving]

Just wondering if anybody around. Looks like a while since any posts. Anyway new licensed general KE7VSC and have a 718 Icom plus a FT101E I am working on. Fulltime in motorhome but parked here in Portland fo winter while get new knees. Have been reading your comments on the Screwdriver antenna and am about ready to order one. In RV park are fussy about putting anything up so this should work out. Old retired Navy CTM so electronics no problem but code kept me off for years. Anyway any particulars on setting up the screwdriver? Plan to hang it on Ladder and run good ground to frame. Roof fiberglass but think has steel cross members under it. Maybe give me some groundplane..Someone also suggested awning clamp rail at top was bolted into steel frame. Tnx for any input JohnD
Hi Safari1
Although I was instrunintal in starting this forum, I have not been very active for a while because I got very frustrated with the functioning of it. Several times, I typed long replys to people and the site stated that I was not logged in and just dumped it. Well, I must have been logged in because I was on the forum. I complained to the moderator and they just brushed me off saying that I must have done something wrong. So I guess the tech. is over my head.

Dave

[wannabetravlin]

Sorry for not responding sooner...but your screwdriver antenna (to really function properly) needs a good grounding system. If your using the ladder for your connection, ensure that the ladder is also grounded. One trick given to me is to use a 1 inch wide grounding strap when connecting two points together. Note! Remember if using disimiliar metals besure the connections are made using a conductive grease to ensure proper bonding plus it will help to retard the potential of electrolysis.

[gherman]

You don't have to be logged on to view the forum but to post replys you do

[safari1]

Hi All, Got my screwdriver a while back but had to send it back as drive came loose. must have taken a jolt in shipping. Got it back a few weeks ago and mounted. Using good ground to ground point at base of antenna to motorhome frame and seems to work ok Get about 1.2 on 20 metere and that is about all that has much on. 40 meters comes in once in a while and 17 meters also. With the 102 inch whip on screwdriver mounted at top of ladder have better luck getting Texas,Florida,Wisconson and other east coast stations most consistently. From here in Portland Oregon the signals drop in and out with best times in AM to early afternoon.Will be glad to get into sunspot cycle so we can get better signals. In 77 had a CB set listening on in San Francisco area and Heard a guy on over Saudi Arabia flying the oil pipelines. Clear as a bell but that was good skip and good sun spot cycle times. For what its worth they are predicting one of the best cycles in years even bigger that the last big one. Thanks for replies and will have check back more often 73 KE7VSC

[safari1]

Dave, Forgot to tell you that if you take a while to type up your reply it will log you out and when you try to send it will pop up and tell you you are not logged in. Just log in and click on proced and your msg gets sent.Sounds like what happened to you. 73 KE7VSC

[kroving]

Dave, Forgot to tell you that if you take a while to type up your reply it will log you out and when you try to send it will pop up and tell you you are not logged in. Just log in and click on proced and your msg gets sent.Sounds like what happened to you. 73 KE7VSC
Thanks but no thanks. Some times it takes a rather long reply to do justus to the subject. I guess, if we must have a timer, it should be set longer.
Dave

[kroving]

Hi All, Got my screwdriver a while back but had to send it back as drive came loose. must have taken a jolt in shipping. Got it back a few weeks ago and mounted. Using good ground to ground point at base of antenna to motorhome frame and seems to work ok Get about 1.2 on 20 metere and that is about all that has much on. 40 meters comes in once in a while and 17 meters also. With the 102 inch whip on screwdriver mounted at top of ladder have better luck getting Texas,Florida,Wisconson and other east coast stations most consistently. From here in Portland Oregon the signals drop in and out with best times in AM to early afternoon.Will be glad to get into sunspot cycle so we can get better signals. In 77 had a CB set listening on in San Francisco area and Heard a guy on over Saudi Arabia flying the oil pipelines. Clear as a bell but that was good skip and good sun spot cycle times. For what its worth they are predicting one of the best cycles in years even bigger that the last big one. Thanks for replies and will have check back more often 73 KE7VSC
Hi Safri1
I had to make a new mounting bracket for my screwdriver. I seems that the weight and wind resistance, just from the wind, was working the ladder mount loose from the roof. So I made a heavy "L" bracket and mounted it to a stud on the side of the trailer. It is no more difficult to mount or take down. But much more secure.
Dave