View Full Version : HF Mobile Antennas, Old Cars and Aesthetics
Alright, I'm a heretic. #I've got an older classic car whose looks I happen to like...alot. #Yet, I would love to tool down the pike operating SSB on 40m. #What are some of your thoughts about lower profile HF mobile antennas and the attendant compromises in performance. #I've never seen this discussed.
Thanks,
Mike---N5JO
Austin, TX
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif Ain't no such thing as a low profile 40m mobile antenna!
The car being a classic, use a period mobile ant. Big cars begg for "bug catcher" antennas. One thing that would spoil the looks of a classic car the fastest would be an ultra modern gee-gaw hangn' on it!
73 de Craig.....KCØGOA
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif
WB6SMX
04-12-2002, 07:51 AM
You could put your antenna on a bumper mount. #That way you won't deface your classic. #I understand since I possess, or am possessed by a 1959 GMC pickup!
73 de WB6SMX - Jim
K4LIX
04-12-2002, 05:02 PM
COMET made a 40m mobile antenna that looked about like a 1/2 or 5/8 wave 2m antenna. It was the model HA-07 and model FL7HA. I have one on the roof of my Ford van and it works great on 40 and will even load thru the tuner (AT-50) on 80m. Some of the dealers still have them in stock. They also made an 80m version the same size.
WB2WIK
04-12-2002, 05:18 PM
If I had a Classic (I don't, but I did, once), I would not even consider defacing it with a magnetic mount, trunk-lip mount, etc -- these things can cause scratches, mar paint finishes, and so forth.
However, what I would probably do instead is bolt-on or weld on something totally "hidden" to mount a removable whip antenna in such a way that no part of the mount, the coax or the antenna could possibly touch the paint finish or chrome. One idea that springs to mind is a bolt-on or welded-on light-duty trailer hitch/receiver tube, connected to the chassis and not the sheet metal. That way, everything's "underneath" the car and not visible at all unless you crawl under it, and you have a sturdy, well-grounded antenna mount for a 40m whip antenna such as a Hustler, Hamstick, BugCatcher, Screwdriver or any number of possibilities.
WB2WIK/6