HF Mobile Antennas and Their Installation (Re-published from 2016)

This video was originally released on our old You Tube site in 2016.

[@9999plato]

The best way to get an HF antenna to work is to drill into your car. Anything else means that you will not get a solid ground. I have tried many times. Regardless of the number of grounds the Diamond lip mount had a high SWR. I'm about to drill in some heavy brass ball mounts. I hate to drill into a new vehicle but I have no plans to sell my 4Runner. A mag mount is not recommended highly by Tarheel antennas for their screwdriver antennas. It would likely get damaged by my wife pulling into drive through's my side mount has a quick disconnect that is easily screwed off and accessible from the side and wont interfere with the moon roof on my Toyota 4Runner. I'm going to install a dual band ball on the opposite B pillar. Roof mounts have frequently meant that my wife has scraped up my roof mounted UHF VHF antenna and you need a stool to reach it to take it down. I'm hoping these Brass ball mounts with 3" stainless rings will provide a solid ground and mounting solution. I'm using Breedlove mounts. For a stick the magmount may work well but for larger screwdrivers not so much. 3-1 and higher swr wont cut it.

[@watersstanton]

Interesting comments. BUT there is no way I would drill into my vehicles. The mag mount actually works extremely well. An entire radio system chain works through a series of capacitors and provided the mag mount has enough capacity, it is as good as a DC connection so far as RF is concerned. Just remember to add a line isolator at the mag end.

[@wjess3569]

I use a triple mag mount with Shark Sticks on my truck and they seem to work quite well. Question though.. What are your thoughts on adding some counterpoise wires connected at each of the magnets using the bolts that hold the magnets to the base.. especially for 40 and 80 meters?

[@watersstanton]

in theiry you would expect an improvement. i tried it on 40m and got no improvement. Maybe you might on 80m.. 73 Peter

[@timg5tm941]

Subscribed and a customer too. Thanks 73

[@ON8EI]

I'm a sub of both, thank you both. 73's John ON8EI

[@alanread6596]

Good video

[@watersstanton]

Many thanks

[@wjess3569]

One more question.. I can't seem to find the HF20FX or other freq's of this antenna in the US. I do see some HF20CL etc.. thoughts on the differences for stationary mobile/portable???

[@watersstanton]

CL means centre loaded. Maybe not all Diamond models are handled by your dealer? 73 Peter.

[@wjess3569]

@@watersstanton Yes, Center Loaded... I've not been able to find any FX in the US.. .. What are your thoughts on the FX vs CL.. ?

[@mikeshiking7453]

Use a tripple mag mount and the Hustler RM Super Resonators here....good vid keep them up...73 2E0IKM

[@timg5tm941]

Mike's Hiking how do you find the triple mag on 40 Mike?

[@katmanclancy]

Grounded the rig chassis and still have engine noise in particular throttle what can I do?

[@kd4kzz]

Did you bond vehicle and the exhaust? What bands are you getting engine noise and what rig and antenna are you running?

[@katmanclancy]

Also I am mag mount..

[@FollowMeOverland]

How did the American “antenna” creep into our English language? It’s an aerial! 👍👌🤟

[@watersstanton]

It happened about 50 years ago. 73 Peter