Caravanning Hams...What HF antenna do you use from the van?

[VK2AAH]

Thanks Andrew, the roof rack design is interesting... and the video was great!

Cheers


Richard
VK2AAH

[VK3NQ]

Hi
I use a HQ 5/160 vertical.Mounted off the rear bumper on the caravan

Henry
VK3NQ

[VK4MJF]

Good day all, I use a FRAMPA whip, works very well has pride of place in the middle of the 4WD roof, for obvious reason. Has all HF bands plus a couple of others, being flying doctors etc, also is resonant on 6 metres ( works well Bris to Melb). Have used it with a couple of radios for several years and the current is a KX3(10 watts), and I have no problems in contacting anyone. I keep a 60/40 dipole for backup and work out the back of the 4WD rear door(which I call the shack) for thoughs longer stop overs.

[VK3LU]

What is a FRAMPA whip??

Nev

[VK2NR]

Possibly FAMPARC whip?
http://www.vk3frc.org.au/?page_id=24

Cheers,
David.

[VK2LK]

Hi Richard,

Why not just mount it vertically? The directionality is only in the axis of the nulls, and the loops still have very broad tx/rx lobes so they're not as directional as it may appear. 99% of loop installs are vertical anyway

Cheers,
Matt

Hi John,

The MFJ 1786 looks interesting but according to the spec sheet it needs to be vertical if mounted close to a ground plane (flat roof etc). Unfortunately I was looking at mounting one on a fairly solid "hockey stick" close to a flat metal roof so mounting it horizontal will not work. Pity, one of these could get me back on HF without upsetting anyone.

Cheers

Richard
VK2AAH

[VK2AVR]

Agreed, vertical mounting gives you the ability to null out nearby noise sources as well. If you have a particularly noisy neighbour you can point the null towards them and presto, no more interference!

[VK1FSTJ]

Hi,

If I am staying only one night I use a HVT400B mounted on the bull bar and if staying longer I setup a Buddipole. My caravan is a small Coromal poptop with a rear door so there is usually plenty of room at the rear of the site to set it up and keep an eye on it.

Cheers,
Stan VK1FSTJ

[VK2LK]

If you have a particularly noisy neighbour you can point the null towards them and presto, no more interference!

If only that worked with audio as well as RF

[VK3LU]

Thanks everyone,
Some interesting ideas there. I checked on the FAMPARK antenna and sadly they are no longer made. The constructor/s have retired.

Cheers
Nev

[VK2JNG]

Hi
I use a HQ 5/160 vertical.Mounted off the rear bumper on the caravan

Henry
VK3NQ

Henry,

I use the same Hi-Q mounted on the rear steel bumper of the caravan.

Just interested how yours performs:
Questions:
1. What is the location of the coil in relation to the roof of the caravan?
2. What length sip do you use? Different ones for 160/80/40 and 30/20/10?
3. What about compliance with EMR?

Mine has a 9Ft whip and to tune up on 40m the contact inside the coil is about 2 inches from the top. Not ideal as it makes it impossible to tune up on 20m with the same whip.

Any comments appreciated,

Gerard VK2JNG

[VK3NQ]

Hi Gerard,

I have welded an extension pole to the bumper of the van to raise the base of the antenna to about roof level.

I have a adjustable top half on the HQ mounted above the cap hat...move it in and out to fine a good SWR with the min amount of coil.

Running max 100 watts peak , and with the height, EMR should be ok

Operated mainly on 20m and 40m with great results

73 Henry
vk3nq
http://www.wansarc.org.au/downloads/WAN ... 202006.pdf

[VK3YE]

One thing to bear in mind for people making mobile antenna mounts etc is there are safety standards for protrusions from vehicles to minimise injuries in the event of a crash.

If you're in an accident and your car is found non-compliant then I doubt your insurer would pay up.

NSW has a sheet explaining this (other states may or may not vary)
http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/registration/ ... dards.html