Little Tarheel II | Mobile HF 80-6 Meter Ham Radio Antenna

A look at how to connect, tune, and get on the air with the Little Tarheel II antenna.
Links to the Little Tarheel II and the MFJ-1924 Controller:
Little Tarheel II: mfjenterprises.com/products/t...
MFJ-1924 Programmable Screwdirver Antenna Controller: mfjenterprises.com/products/m...
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Here's a bunch of links to stuff I use.
Yaesu FT-891:amzn.to/2XaTkof
Xiegu X5105: amzn.to/2U4jrtM
Xiegu G90: amzn.to/30fszPD
Bioenno BLF-1203W: amzn.to/3bXsRhP
Bioenno BLF-1203AB: amzn.to/39OAW74
Bioenno BLF-1206A: amzn.to/2XaWQ1L
Bioenno 20AH LiFePO4 Battery: amzn.to/2XfZPWT
Bioenno 12AH LiFePO4 Battery: amzn.to/2WHU9kp
Bioenno Charge Controller: www.bioennopower.com/collecti...
Battery Charger: amzn.to/2YARsSt
Rich Solar 100 Watt Panel: amzn.to/3enp4vD
Carhartt Lunch Box: amzn.to/2xQfbGO
Shakespear 20' Wonderpole: amzn.to/2Rd9IiG
Powerwerx Power Pole Crimping Tool: amzn.to/3eDbpSo
Powerwerx Power Pole Distribution Block: amzn.to/2WHI3Ym
Powerwerx Volt Meter: amzn.to/2IG8AAw
Ailunce HD1: amzn.to/35HqBYZ
Baofeng UV-5R: amzn.to/2Ot3NX7
Tactical Backpack amzn.to/2k6jya7
Condor Rip EMT Pouch: amzn.to/2XjLUPG
iPad mini Bluetooth Keyboard: amzn.to/2IOtI7o
Red Rock Outdoors Sling Pack: amzn.to/2FdCKdf
Portable Operating for Amateur Radio Kindle: amzn.to/2X3I7EU
Portable Operating for Amateur Radio paperback: amzn.to/330xW7J
I may make a small commission on purchases made through the links above.
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#hamradio #pota #parksontheair

[@rickjones6414]

I'm buying my 1st Screwdriver soon (also a Little Tarheel II) so this vid is super helpful. It's very encouraging to see the ease of installation and the performance real-time!

[@hamradiotube]

Glad it was helpful! You'll make lots of contacts I'm sure. 73

[@siti7797]

Thanks for the upload. I have just got a Tarheel 400a and am looking forward to using it.

[@aaw5]

Congratulations on a terrific park activation and welcome to Texas! We camp at Huntsville State Park all the time. It's awesome! Cheers from College Station, TX (Aggieland)!

[@hamradiotube]

Sweet. Its right down the street from me. Really nice place.

[@mattki5msd884]

Just installed s Slim 50 LTII on my Freightliner. best antenna I ever owned, thanks for all the vids Mike.

[@timlarson7351]

Nice!! This was my suggestion for your new QTH when you moved. I have the larger version on a pool cage in my HOA in Tampa and I have worked the world. With your limited space, your only challenge is getting a ground plane. These things are hidden gems and the 1924 just completes the package. Love mine! Great activation, dude!

[@hamradiotube]

I have hooked this up to my radio quite a few times at the new qth. My problem is it is only rated for (I think) 25 watts digital. And I still have to go outside to the car and retune it when I want to change bands. I've got an EFHW that I picked up but haven't strung it up in the trees yet. I'm gonna try to do that tonight.

[@cheech1557]

I'm a new operator waiting for my tag I was wondering what are you using for your HOA because that's my problem right now

[@Pigeon__Man]

Thanks to your “do it” comment last night in the HRCC after chat, I POTA’d today! There happened to be 4 hams in the park and I got half of my contacts just working them on different bands. I saw your spot but couldn’t hear you. What a great time can’t wait to go again!

[@oldpreach]

Congrats. Pota is great for quite a few reasons.

[@hamradiotube]

Hey thats awesome! See what happens when you just go out? It works.

[@jackdaniel4325]

One of my favorite videos. Watched it more than once. Got to get one of those Tarheel antennas. 👌🏻👍🏻

[@hamradiotube]

Hey thanks so much! It’s a great antenna. They are pretty hard to get right now I hear.

[@K6ARK]

Crushed it! Thanks for the P2S.

[@hamradiotube]

I was because you were giving it all 10 watts LOL! I saw you spotted on 40 but couldn't hear you. Glad we made it happen on 20. Good to have you in the log p2s. That was really cool! That may have been our first phone contact too if I'm not mistaken.

[@kennycarberry]

@@hamradiotube When worlds collide! That was a cool moment!

[@stahpit1971]

Thanks for the video! I've had this antenna on my tundra for 2yrs+ I've made a contact to Japan with it from central fl and yes I was speechless when he came back to me. 54" whip while moving down I4

[@hamradiotube]

They're fantastic antennas aren't they? It's pretty awesome what you can do with one.

[@KC7ZXYtube]

Love the smell of POTA in the morning! 😎

[@hamradiotube]

It's right up there with Texas BBQ!

[@Scout75PortableRadio]

If I could Photo Shop, there would be a meme of you shirtless wearing a Calvary Stetson.

[@HammockRadio]

@@Scout75PortableRadio It's cavalry. 😉

[@NU3Q]

😂

[@Scout75PortableRadio]

@@HammockRadio I can't type, or spell... auto correct is a mother forklift.

[@RuffKutz]

Well done Aniken! I have Codan 8528 radio with a 8558 Codan auto tuner. It's a screwdriver type aswell. This combo is set up in my ute and still running around in the bush quite often. It's been through the Simpson and several other remote outback places here in Australia. 73, VK2DYZ.

[@Dusty_Ham]

Great vid, quite a few contacts quite quickly there! And seeing you geek out about working K6ARK is how I would feel working any of the amazing tubers that have taught me so much. Stay safe out there! Cheers

[@hamradiotube]

Well when you have been dubbed the POTA Boss/POTA King, you better deliver the qso's lol!! Today was a good day for sure. I saw K6ARK spotted on 40 and couldn't hear him, then to have him come back to me was amazing. I knew he was on a mountain so that was really cool to get a SOTA to POTA contact. He told me afterwards he was running a whole 10 watts with his KX2. I'd geek out even harder if I got you in the log though I assure you! ZL and VK stations aren't in my log more than 4 time that I can recall.

[@AaronDengler]

Awesome demo! Thanks very much.

[@andyM7XTT]

Loved this.great work!!!

[@hamradiotube]

Thanks so much!

[@THESPORTINGCAMP]

Great video! Thanks Mike! Greetings from Katy, TX.

[@hamradiotube]

Hey your not that far from me!

[@THESPORTINGCAMP]

@@hamradiotube Not at all. We should me up and get some brewskies. 🍺

[@gregsmith1116]

So cool! May have to get one too! Thank you for the video!

[@hamradiotube]

Not gonna lie, its an awesome antenna!

[@MikeCauterman]

Thanks Mike. Just in the process of buying and then installing the same antenna. I too am looking to do POTA with 10 activations this coming year. Starting with Presqu'ile Prov Park in Eastern ON, then heading for 4 parks in Nova Scotia this June. Glamping in an 18' Wolf Pup Toy Hauler. I do have some additional external antennas once I am set up. We bought a house in NS, and the travel time is 17 hours each way. So... need a decent HF mobile setup for this summer as I haul our contents. Rig is an 857D. Thanks for your help and information here. It's always a leap of faith with time and money, so I appreciate your efforts in my education here! 73 from Mike VE1RR (was VE3QSK)

[@tumbleweed-life]

I really need to quit watching your videos every time I watch one I have to order something! lol But thanks to you I have upgraded my equipment.

[@hamradiotube]

Hey we're all in the same boat. You don't think I watch everyone else's videos and get in the same scenario? Ham Radio is a disease and the only cure is more gear!! And more cowbell.

[@fasteddie4107]

Very useful information. Thank you for sharing this.

[@princearthur4946]

Very nice antenna!

[@N4KRX]

Good demo Mike! The 'Little Tar Heel' has my attention. 73 buddy!

[@hamradiotube]

Right on. Its a great antenna.

[@randygc3704]

Good video! I've had my Little TarHeel 2 for about 10 years on my Trailblazer. Love It! HF is great when traveling out west with miles and miles of miles and miles. I have the original Turbo Tuner 2 (now made by Tenna Tronix) as a controller. Couldn't be easier. Hit the Tune button once on my IC-706MKIIG and the system raises the antenna until it hits an SWR null. don't have to hold any buttons or monitor a display. No muss no fuss. It also has a park function. As I stated in a comment below, the short whip is to allow tuning on 6M for the full claimed 6-80M. Their longer whip is more efficient on the lower frequencies, and is what I normally run. I have quick disconnects on both whips to get in and out of my garage etc. I keep the short whip in the truck for impromptu HF work. it's what I recommend for anyone looking at getting in to mobile HF.

[@hamradiotube]

I just got a longer whip (6' I think) and boy does it feel heavy on the antenna. It definitely seems to get out better from my first impressions. I cant imagine driving with it though. What are these quick disconnects you speak of??

[@randygc3704]

@@hamradiotube www.tarheelantennas.com/accessories Scroll down to the KD-T Whip quick Twist Disconnect I've put literally thousands of miles on the antenna with the longer whip at Interstate speeds (up to 85MPH in TX) and have never had a problem with it.

[@M0RMY]

Great video Mike - I have two of these antennas (long story) I use a West Mountain Radio Target Tuner and it tunes automatically on key down (memory or SWR sensing). By far the best mobile antenna I have used. Static with a 9ft whip it is even better!!

[@ErnestGWilsonII]

We have the short whip that came with it but have not tested it yet, we purchased the longer 56-in whip and it tunes from 2.8 to 41 MHz, the shorter whip supposedly will go up to 54, have not tested that one yet. Which model antenna do you have and which whip do you have in use with it?

[@hamradiotube]

Dang, you said West Mountain Radio. That alone sounds even more expensive. I'll have to look into one of those kinds of controllers at some point. I like the one I have but it would be so much nicer to just have it auto tune. Thats one advantage the ATAS has, but I don't think that does 80 meters.

[@Chris-in-ky-ky4ckp]

These are great antennas! we use the full size one with our emcomm trailer. I use the atas-120a which is similar on my car with the ft-891. Thanks Mike! LCARA Ham Radio

[@hamradiotube]

Yes they are. Too bad we couldn't make a contact today. That full sized one is an absolute beast of an antenna! The ATAS is sweet too, though I haven't had a chance to use one yet.

[@Chris-in-ky-ky4ckp]

@@hamradiotube The atas does not go to 80m but the 891 and other yaesu radios can tune it directly. Hopefully ill catch you pota while im mobile some time! Then we could see how each of us sounds.

[@Transmissions]

Propagation is getting better. Just made a 10w contact to Italy from up here in Maine the other day with the 705 and the EFT-10/20/40. Made a video 😀 Cool you caught K6ARK!

[@hamradiotube]

Thats awesome. I've really been liking taking my qrp radios out more and more lately. So much less weight and with a good antenna you can get out quite far. Its always an honor to get K6ARK in the log too.

[@Transmissions]

For sure man. The weight adds up and it also gets my fat ass off out of the house and hiking!

[@THESPORTINGCAMP]

You mentioned Whataburger! Welcome to Texas! 73 🏆😎

[@hamradiotube]

I feel Whataburger is over rated though. I went there when I first got here and it was just meh.

[@aceventuraaceventura2003]

Very helpful, I just ordered mine. Love the fact that you can see what the coil looks like for different bands. It's worth the extra over something like ATAS-120A which I've had issues with active coil seizure just after couple of year of use. Go with Tarheel if you're in the market for an active coil screwdriver antenna.

[@hamradiotube]

I actually switched from the Tarheel to the ATAS a couple years ago. They both work great but I like the ease of use with the ATAS much more. I've not had the issues people commonly complain about with the ATAS either.

[@woodsbikes6130]

Very nice video. I agree that the LT II is an awesome antenna. I used to have one years ago. I made my very first HF contact with the LT II when I upgraded my ticket. verry efficient antenna. Definitely worth considering for a good HF mobile antenna. And there's plenty of mounting options from trunk/door lip mounts to mag mounts. The MFJ Goliath Mag Mount will support the LT II like there's no tomorrow. 😁. Great video and thank you. Stay safe and Cool Runnings everyone 😎😁

[@hamradiotube]

Very cool on the first HF contact. It's amazing what these screwdriver antennas will do, including the Wolf River Coils, since it's pretty much the same idea. Especially with such a short whip! I had some kind of MFJ mount before the Diamond and it was not strong enough to hold it. I'm really happy with the Diamond.

[@coolspace2136]

Another great video! That antenna would help save some time. Thanks Mike and 73 - W5DUI

[@hamradiotube]

Thanks. It is super easy and convenient to get on the air. I used to use a Wolf River Coils on the car but this is so much easier.

[@Klaatu-ij9uz]

Mike: -- In all that, we're talking only a 100-watts from your FT-891? GREAT episode!

[@hamradiotube]

90 watts actually but close enough. Doesn’t take much.

[@Rems61]

I have the Diamond antenna screwdriver. It looks just like the Tarheel. I just have the up and down button that came with it. That is a great antenna. Works just like yours. I tune for max noise, then bump the switch for lowest swr. Fantastic, and beats the dickens out of swapping ham sticks each time you want to switch bands. Great video Thanks 73.

[@hamradiotube]

Very nice, I don't think I've seen the Diamond. I know of the Yaesu ATAS and this one. I agree on the ham sticks. It's all about convenience, although that does come at a price. Ham sticks do work well though and are a fraction of the cost.

[@wd8ejc]

FYI the Diamond tunes a little faster but comparing them side by side they both work the same. Both are great antennas. I own both, I was wanting to buy a 2nd tarheel II but at the time the wait time was 6 months so I bought the Diamond not knowing how it would be and I am pleased

[@DonDegidio]

Hi Mike, That antenna did a fine job. When I received the HamAlert, I tuned up and heard you giving a 22 report. Guess that was the one for Adam. Up here there were two guys on, one up 1K and the other down 1K that were playing havoc with your signal. If it wasn't for them, would have given you a try. That's the antenna I'm considering for the van. Glad you had a fun time. Stay safe. 73 WJ3U

[@hamradiotube]

Hey Don, thanks for trying. I didn't get anyone quite to your part of the country but we got close in MD. Its a very nice and easy to use antenna. It's not cheap but it sure does work.

[@ManuelPinner]

These Antennas are Perfect for People like Me that life in New York City! And HOA's the Trunk Mount can also be use to Put the Antenna on a aluminum, Window Frames,

[@o00scorpion00o]

Here's useful tip for the FT-891, if you want to use an auto tuner or this screwdriver and want to send a carrier then set the radio to external tuner, set AM to 5 watts in the menu and then when you press PTT and UP on the mic it will auto send a 5 watt am carrier without having to switch back and forth.

[@andrewhamop6665]

Awesome video Mike, great chatting with you last Saturday on the HRCC after chat! That antenna is awesome, like a Wolf River Coil on steroids hahaha. Another thing to spend my summer Job money on hihi... 73 de W8IJC

[@hamradiotube]

Right on man glad to speak to you too. A WRC on steroids is exactly what this is. I could actually put this on the WRC tripod and use it in the field too. That would be really cool.

[@andrewhamop6665]

@@hamradiotube Same here, it was a pleasure finally meeting you. Maybe I can catch you P2P sometime? I'll probably be at K-1407 again lol. Yeah, of course it would need some radials now, but I'd love to see that! I just finally got my radials untangled from Saturday's POTA activation, man I need to invest in some wire winders. I only have 6 30ft radials on my TIA 1000, imagine what would happen if I got my hands on a DXCommander hahaha! I wonder how this antenna would stack up against an ATAS-1200, that's the first party screwdriver antenna from Yaesu I think? The 891 would interface directly with that, eliminating the controller box. Who knows, maybe you can get Yaesu to send you an ATAS-1200 for a review! I think Josh has one of those. That battery box was really cool! Is that all custom, or does it have a bioenno in it?

[@BryanGrigsby]

Great video.

[@hamradiotube]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@BryanGrigsby]

@@hamradiotube Hey, question for you, have you taken this down to 80 meters? Would love if this performed well on 80.

[@bruceforster5993]

I have a Yaesu FT-891 driving an ATAS 120 A Screwdriver Antenna. Had the system for just three days, now, and loving it! I have always wondered why a company with the resources that Yaesu has at their disposal, hasn't put out an ATAS that will go down to 80 Meters. If they did, I would buy it in a Heartbeat!

[@hamradiotube]

You know, that's a great question. But the ATAS goes up to 70CM's. How does that make sense given the current mobile radio they make, the 891 is HF/6 only? Maybe it's time they reconsidered what the ATAS does.

[@don_n5skt]

That park looks really familiar. I think I might have been out there in like the 70s ;). Great activation. I feel so lazy sometimes because that is exactly how I activate a park. Drive in and I pop out of the van and install the ham stick and I am on the air. But it just so easy. "Drive through POTA"

[@hamradiotube]

Hey there's nothing wrong with that. Work smarter not harder. I wish the DX Commander was mobile lol!

[@don_n5skt]

@@hamradiotube Callum did it. . . Once. ;)

[@stevegriffin3609]

Hey Mike great video it looks like a very beautiful Park too. It’s great to have fun like that especially when you work pile ups. Congratulations on working Puerto Rico. I’m going to have to look for you on the POTA website I love hunting. Hopefully after all that you did go get some Texas barbecue to celebrate activating the park. Have a great week. WD5ENH Steve

[@hamradiotube]

This was my first time at this park and yes, it is really nice. I will be going there many more times I can already tell. Download an app called HamAlert and you can add callsigns to be alerted when they are spotted. I didn't have BBQ that day but I did wake up in the morning and drive to Buckees to get about a pound of beef jerky. Thats almost as Texan as BBQ.

[@thuff3207]

Nice and I have the same antenna with a different controller. Your looks easy to use. You can use a much longer whip when stationary to improve efficiencies. Thank you for sharing.

[@hamradiotube]

It is really easy. I haven't played with any of the longer whips with this antenna but I'm sure they would do even better. Thanks for watching.

[@randygc3704]

When I bought mine (over 10 years ago) the manufacturer told me the short whip was to get it to tune up on 6. When traveling cross country I usually have the long whip as I hang out on 20 and 40.

[@n1kkri]

I have owned this antenna for close to 10 years. It works great from 40-6m but if you really want it to sing on 80m replace the 1m whip with something around 60 inches and it will improve 80 and 60m. I have used it with a MFJ 12 foot whip at a fixed position and it could load up on 160m. The 12 foot whip really improves 80-60m big time.

[@n1kkri]

Keep in mind this won't work as well as a larger full size screwdriver antenna that uses a larger coil. The smaller screwdriver antennas require more turns of wire to achieve 50 ohms and part of the matching is due to the wire resistance creating a impedance near 50 ohms which unfortunately is wasted in heat. However the fact the antenna is mounted up higher on the car (usually trunk lip mount) it does an amazing job and I have made many contacts (if band is in good shape)

[@hamradiotube]

Fortunately I'm not on 80 hardly ever, but I did do a video recently using a 6' whip from MFJ. Boy did it outperform the stock whip!

[@skepticalmechanic]

Your videos are very informative.. thanks and 73’s AD2ER

[@hamradiotube]

Thanks for watching!

[@garyseward7058]

Nice one very good video 📹 👍

[@hamradiotube]

Many thanks

[@nr3rful]

I also have a "screwdriver" antenna. Love it. Well worth the money.

[@hamradiotube]

Never leave home without HF! I've made many a contact from my work parking lot on the fly because of this antenna.

[@billcrow5403]

Great video! POTA POTA!!

[@hamradiotube]

Thanks!!

[@manclubandorra]

Greetings friends, I need your advice. I have a station Alinco DX-10 and an antenna Santiago 1200, I have it at home, and since I do not have a chance to make a large assembly I bought a small metal stand and a magnetic base, the metal bracket attach it near the window with some Plastic flanges so that it is well suited. My problem is that it is impossible to calibrate the antenna and make it go down Roe .. Just lower the Roe when I hold the magnetic base with your hand. So I think there should be a mass problem, any idea? Thank you and greetings from Andorra (Translated with SR Google)

[@k2cjbradio]

Very cool! I think an antenna like that is in my mobile future. 73 my friend!

[@hamradiotube]

Well you already have the truck setup for HF. This is just the natural progression. Just tell your wife its been on there the whole time lol!

[@WJ6FRadio]

@@hamradiotube I tried that..... She didn't buy it.....

[@HamRadioLiveShow]

Great video and great work! As a person that also reviews MFJ products, this is very very well done. I’d like to use it on my channel that helps to teach ham radio to people. I’m putting together a segment about working remote or mobile. It’s a subject I haven’t done before and would like to have some good material to be able to present it accurately. This is the best review of a mobile antenna I have found. This antenna really does the job!! I’ll make sure and credit your channel and put a link to it in the description. It would be an honor to show it. If you don’t want me to, please let me know as soon as possible as I’d like to be able to show it as soon as I can. Thanks, God bless you and 73‘s to you from Oregon! Larry de K7HN

[@hamradiotube]

Hi Larry, thanks for watching. Absolutely you can use the video. Ham it forward!

[@ben2e0omr]

Great video. Just subscribed to you..

[@hamradiotube]

Awesome, thank you!

[@kylefreemason]

Hi Mike, did that controller come with a 4 pin molex connector on it?

[@KK6USYHamRadioAdventures]

Awesome activation Mike! I have been wanting to take my Hi-Q out and do the same thing, I really like the MFJ controller need to see if it works with my antenna as well! 73

[@hamradiotube]

I suppose it depends on how your antenna is wired up. If it has the same 4 pin connector I would imagine it should.

[@KK6USYHamRadioAdventures]

@@hamradiotube , I went to the antenna web site and they actually sell the MFJ contrller.

[@DK5ONV]

Hey Mikey you looking great! And I know why! You are an RF Addict and you gave yourself a badass load of it just to feel good and having a great weekend. Right on buddy, keep up good work. I am soo looking forward to work you on 15,17,20 and may be 40m band from portable to portable. Rock'n' Roll Hoochie Coo...73's de from you know who it is :-)))

[@hamradiotube]

I really do like to bathe in the RF that's for sure! With the Sun starting to cooperate hopefully we'll have more opportunities to get on the higher frequencies. I've pretty much been on 20 and 40 my whole time on HF cuz nothing else is very open.

[@DK5ONV]

@@hamradiotube I so agree on what you mentioned about the Sun. I had my wrinkled butt out in the Cold Mixed Up Weather of blizzards and ice rain and everytime the Sun was showing for just a few minutes while I was talking to someone on the Otherside of the World it was heart warming. My nose was runny, my toes were dead if you hit on them with a sledge hammer it won't do nothing to me. And so were my fingers too. Ummm by the Way, I am able to work anything from 40-10m when I am portable. 160 and 80m only from the HQ Club Station. 17 and 15m sporadically opens up and works well on and off. If there is no cure Johnny Walker Blue Label can't heal then there ain't no cure... happy monday.

[@KE6DOA]

so i seen you plug in the power for that MFJ 1924 and what looked like somehow had kept your previous memories.. is this correct? i thought once power was removed it lost memory and you had to program all over again ?

[@hamradiotube]

So I just unplugged it and can confirm that all the memories have been erased. That's kind of annoying.

[@SmokeSignalsRF]

Nice job! Another great saying from You and we need a tShirt “I love the smell of POTA” - W1FYG

[@hamradiotube]

I’m gonna have to start copyrighting my sayings.

[@GMascelli]

I just found this video, thanks for posting. I purchased a Sidewinder for my house due to the HOA police. I was wondering if I could set it for 80 meters, longest extension, and then just run through my Yaesu 757AT Antenna tuner ? Any info would be appreciated. I just got back into the hobby after being away for 26 years. It was fun unboxing my Kenwood TS520 , multiple amplifiers, Dentron and Ameritron, along with my Yaesu 757GX and tuner.

[@mikesmithg0rfd356]

thank you mike

[@hamradiotube]

Thank you.

[@butterbean4195]

love my lil tarheel but i cannot get it to tune on 80 and i have the extra long stinger. not sure why. i noticed you didnt have the coiled wire on the base of yours? is there a reason for not having it.

[@hamradiotube]

Do you have the version that does 80? There are 2. Mine didn't come with the little coil.

[@ifloss2690]

What about ignition noise motor running on 40 for instance?

[@KE6DOA]

Very cool sounded like a base station at the low spot of the cycle nonetheless I’m getting ready to install a Tarhill model 100 on my 2017 ram , 73

[@hamradiotube]

The antenna gets out thats for sure.

[@gac5329]

Good job Anakin..

[@hamradiotube]

Haha, I was going for a light saber kinda look! Just wish I could have a real light saber.

[@frankwc0o]

When you disconnect the power on the switch, does the memory also get erased? thx

[@hamradiotube]

I think so, yes

[@kyraandamysdad]

Thanks for the great video! Naive question though: is ham alert going off a metaphorical thing or is there really such a device or service?

[@hamradiotube]

It is indeed a real app. Check it out on the App Store or Google play. You can enter in call signs and have it alert you when they've been spotted on the cluster. It's HamAlert.

[@W4MUD]

What software are you using at the end of the vid? It had the arrows showing where your contacts are located. Thanks KK4RGV

[@hamradiotube]

www.qsomap.org Not the most intuitive website but thats what it is.

[@waltsnyder886]

That is awesome I'm thinking about getting one for where I camp I'm a seasonal I like to find a way to take that and mount it to a tripod or something I don't really want to mount anything to the camper. Any ideas how to mount that thing to a tripod

[@hamradiotube]

Absolutely. I would just use one of the tripods from Wolf River Coils. I like the MegaPod myself, but either would work. wolfrivercoils.com/order.html You would just need to add counterpoise wires to it.

[@walteredwards544]

Love this. Do you need something similar to a radial system, grounded to vehicle? Now I'm thinking about buying one as the perfect companion to my Icom 705 and my Xiegu G-90. I bit more of a challenge to mount on my FIAT 500 but I love the challenge. Thanks again.

[@hamradiotube]

The car acts as the ground plane so you don't need any radials. You could do it the K8MRD way and do zero grounding, or they do recommend grounding and bonding your chassis and the antenna. That will increase your band width, but I've not had any problems with this configuration as far as getting out. I do have horrible ignition noise if I'm using it going down the road but the noise blanker on the 891 takes care of that. It really would be wise to ground and bond it, I just haven't gotten around to it.

[@Scout75PortableRadio]

Looks good on the K8 Murder Mobile. I might need to add this to the Scout75 Rust Bucket. And to be completely honest, if I'm going to deal with coils, might as well be a crap ton. One question; metric or imperial crap ton?

[@hamradiotube]

Metric. Always metric. The Imperial army is a bunch of scum. Plus, the storm troopers can't shoot to save their lives.

[@vne2328]

Great HOA buster. I wonder how it would work with a longer whip for driveway opps. Maybe 2x or 3x the current length?

[@hamradiotube]

I've used it at home quite a few times since moving and its worked well while I figure out my antenna situation at the new qth. A longer whip would no doubt be more efficient. Just like a longer whip on the Wolf River Coils antenna is going to work better, but honestly, I've made contacts with just about every configuration you can think of. You just have to get out there and call CQ.

[@vicowen3032]

Nice review, Mike. Looks like it could be perfect for marine mobile. I need to figure out how to adapt it to a standard marine tilt-down mount on my boat! 73, Vic KB7GL

[@hamradiotube]

It would be perfect for marine mobile. Check out what this guy did to tilt his on an RV @ about the 2:15 mark. kzbin.info/www/bejne/n5qcnqRtbKmAq9U

[@vicowen3032]

@@hamradiotube Nice installation...a bit much for the boat, but the antenna might be the answer. I’ll explore adapting it to an marine tilt-down mount. Thanks, Mike.

[@alphamike2839]

How much rf grounding did you do on your vehicle? Radio sounds great. I have a 891 and Tarheel II and my radio has S9 noise all the time.

[@hamradiotube]

I have done zero grounding. I really need to. The noise is terrible if the car is on. The NB helps but thats not really the best solution.

[@kylerossouw8697]

Wouldn't mind one of those antenna's. Thanks for an awesome channel. ZS6KA

[@hamradiotube]

Its gotten me many a contact. I love having HF on the car. Makes chasing stations I follow super convenient.

[@notrolla5218]

Nice Anikan reference.

[@hamradiotube]

I did an Anikan reference??

[@Oscar-fq1rb]

Can this antenna be mounted for base station, since I don't have much ground space.

[@hamradiotube]

I suppose you could. You would need to run some counterpoise wires to create a ground plane though.

[@alanbrockmeier6871]

Super good review! This antenna diffidently in my playbook. 73 NM5SP Alan

[@hamradiotube]

It's fantastic. I think they are having trouble sourcing parts for it so they might be hard to find right now.

[@n3ljs399]

I have been using High Sierra MK 1500 scewdriver antenn since 2001....I saw the Tarheel at Dayton.

[@hamradiotube]

Hey so long as you have something to work HF thats all that matters.

[@martykm6pra114]

First time I saw you spotted but just couldn't hear you. Hopefully next time. Great job.👍

[@hamradiotube]

#hamharder Marty. #hamharder.

[@don_n5skt]

I worked Mike once when he was still in Michigan. Now I think I have to get lucky because I am too close.

[@rtpman1953]

Hey Mike you are my POTA tutorial man! You're Little Tarheel II vid is great timing. I already had the Little Tarheel II that I used mobile for 7 years. The old auto tuner had died and dang if I couldn't find my whip. Which whip are you using? The 36" stock or the 56"?

[@hamradiotube]

Hey Paul, thanks for watching! This is just the stock 36" whip that it came with. I'm sure the 56" would do even better though.

[@rtpman1953]

@@hamradiotube Thanks, Mike. As soon as I posted my question I see that you covered it near the end of the video. I'm looking forward to trying my first activation.

[@Ressy66]

How about DX? like New Zealand, Australia, Guam?

[@MyTube4Utoo]

I want one!

[@torkalaska]

How much bonding did you have to do on your car to get an swr that low?

[@hamradiotube]

Zero

[@mikethees6434]

Cool video just starting to set my truck up for POTA is there interplay between say that antenna or even a fixed band hamstick and a 2 meter antenna mounted on the same vehicle ?

[@hamradiotube]

None that I've noticed.

[@mikethees6434]

@@hamradiotube Cool keep an eye on the POTA website for KD2RVW

[@ErnestGWilsonII]

We just got this same antenna and it worked great from a park in northern Delaware on our van roof on Saturday! Little Tarheel II is fantastic! 73 Linda W3GRL and Ernie W3GUY

[@recoblade1465]

Just curious is your tarheel mounted directly to the roof or on a rack was wondering about how you grounded it

[@ErnestGWilsonII]

@@recoblade1465 right now, we did exactly what everyone says not to do, we have the antenna on a giant triple magnet mount base and no grounding or bonding has been done. This extremely powerful magnet system is sufficient for holding it on the roof of the van, it takes a very strong person to be able to move this antenna or even remove it from the roof of the van, but we currently have zero bonding or ground straps or anything extra added. This antenna tunes perfectly with the long whip option, we have the shorter whip that came with it but have not tested it yet, we are using the 56-in longer whip option provided by tar heel and that lowers the frequency range and makes the antenna a little better on 80 m. Our testing on Saturday with a vector Network analyzer shows that the antenna is infinitely tunable between 2.9 MHz and 41 MHz with a 56-in whip installed. We then confirmed using the Icom 7300 SWR meter and real world testing did indeed show we could tune anywhere from 80 m to 10 m and anywhere in between with less than 1.5 to 1 SWR, in many cases we were able to get the SWR so low the Icom 7300 couldn't even show an SWR on the meter and we did not need to use the internal antenna tuner on the Icom 7300 at all, it was fully disengaged. We are very happy with how this antenna performed, when you tune the antenna up and down, you could hear the signals come in so loud and clear you almost didn't need to look at the SWR meter to see how close you were. A quick check of the SWR meter and you could then press the button very rapidly and bump the antenna either up or down to get a near perfect SWR. We made a bunch of contacts on multiple bands out of the car on Saturday and we're very happy with this antenna. I am not advocating that other people use a magnet mount, the manufacturer even says that it is not the best practice, what I'm saying is real world testing has shown us that it does indeed work very well on the big triple magnet mount base that we use on top of a metal van roof. We are using it on an old Dodge caravan and there is really no good place to put one of the recommended mounts that actually screw to the van and do any actual grounding and bonding in our situation, so being able to use the heavy duty triple magnet mount is just about the only option we had and luckily it is working well. 73 W3GUY

[@recoblade1465]

@@ErnestGWilsonII Nice

[@hamradiotube]

Awesome! The car certainly makes for a fantastic ground plane.

[@AndrewWells527]

Did you have to do a bunch of grounding connections with your vehicle? I hear mobile HF antennas are difficult.

[@hamradiotube]

No I haven’t done anything. It’s a bit noisy when the car is on but I don’t really do Hf when I’m driving. I need to ground it for sure though.

[@kd9kck376]

I was working POTA today out of K-4107. Ran my EFHW for most of it because initially my homebrew multi-band Vertical wouldn't work. (Turns out it helps if your jumpers actually are conductive for skipping the unused turns of the loading coil.) Eventually did get the vertical working. (Its 16 ft of wire up a fly fishing rod with the loading coil set up at the base.) Working on trying to figure out how to easily get some more bands at high frequencies. Only managed 19 contacts over my 3 hours activating today.

[@hamradiotube]

Ha! There's your problem, yeah. Having conductive parts is pretty crucial to an antenna lol! I'm a big fan of EFHW's. I've had great success with them any time I use one portable. If you want multi band portable vertical antenna either buy a DX Commander Expedition or clone one. They work fantastic!

[@kd9kck376]

@@hamradiotube Was trying to build something based around my existing 20ft fly fishing rod. Thinking maybe 3D print a top plate that attached to the segment right before the crazy flexible one then use a DX commander like setup for the higher freq HF bands, although I did think about trying to use traps to get them just haven't tried either idea yet. Also would get a DX Commander but not in the financial place for that right now xD College loans and a part time job makes doing ham radio interesting.

[@thomasstandley6309]

A little surprised to hear you on 20m since you were only about 200 miles from Rockport on the Gulf Coast. Never could get you in the summer in Michigan from our summer QTH in Antrim County which was actually a little farther even when you'd been spotted on the POTA webpage. Deeply disappointed you didn't go for that Whataburger. Consolation Prize: There are three In and Out Burgers in the Houston area within a day's drive of where you live (depending on traffic). NK5J.

[@hamradiotube]

Thats just a testament to the antenna. Somehow got some NVIS out of it maybe. Thats a little far for ground wave I believe. I loved that pota spot. I'll tell you though, I had Whataburger when I first got down here and wasn't very impressed. Houston is only about an hour from me though. I would hope it wouldn't take a day's drive to get an in and out burger. Never had one of them.

[@thomasstandley6309]

@@hamradiotube The chances of your liking In and Out Burger is about 100% ... unless you're a vegetarian. You appear to be north of Houston in I-45 land so the closest In and Out is in Willowbrook (off 249 ,Tomball Parkway, on FM1960). I was using the efhw at 45 feet (instead of the DX Commander) but the power was way down since I forgot to turn it back up after using the radio for FT-8. Definitely not ground wave. You were aware the park you were in has Alligators?

[@dennisthrush2835]

What part of Michigan were you in? I'm from Perry. de N5DHT

[@hamradiotube]

I grew up in Farmington.

[@Bryant_KM6PKQ_]

Hey mike. I’m KM6PKQ. Was wondering if you had another link for this antenna? The MFJ link is unavailable

[@hamradiotube]

I'm not finding it on MFJ's website either.

[@W8MJL]

I know i love my lil Tarheel 2 though i have mine mounted on the drivers side front of my Saturn Vue and have the longer whip. I used a white paint pen to mark the band locations so i can get back to where i need. We POTA in our mobile ham shack all the time, makes it GREAT for multi park runs. But the questions i get all the time are fun, i.e. "is your car remote controlled?", "is your car made by tyco?" and one of my favorites "can you talk to Mars?". Now i need to get the control box and make my life easier. 73 de W8MJL

[@hamradiotube]

I just got one of the longer 6' whips. It certainly makes a difference. I don't think I'll be driving with that on though. It adds a lot of weight. No ones asked if my car was RC. Thats pretty funny!

[@josephgomes8543]

KC1MTM, Hey Mike great activation. What laptop are you using?

[@hamradiotube]

It's a 2013 MacBook Pro. Software is called Aether.

[@Dennis-sb7gp]

LT-2 supplies a 54" whip, I wonder what that would be good for?

[@hamradiotube]

It would be better than 36 but not as good as 72??

[@brentjohnson6654]

Thanks for showing the Tar Heel. I am looking for a screw driver type of antenna and noticed they aren’t cheap. I did run across a Diamond screw driver that was in the $300 range rather than the $800 ish for the Tar Heel or Scorpion. My hesitancy is not knowing if HF Mobile is for me as a noob. I could always try a few ham sticks with an antenna switch to get my feet wet with HF mobile. Anyway, what do you think, oh wise one?

[@hamradiotube]

It would be a way less expensive option to go the ham stick route first. For about $50 for 2 antennas plus ~$80 for the mount I'm using you would have a more basic version of the same thing. If you find that you have fallen in love with it, upgrade at that time.

[@brentjohnson6654]

@@hamradiotube thanks for your advice. Your channel has me wanting to POTA. I also want to have HF mobile mounted in the truck (or so goes the dream). I have been considering a cheaper option to antenna and might go the route above. Btw, I am ordering a tower of terror shirt. Know anything about those shirts? Haha. All the best! One day when you come up to north Texas I will buy you a drink. 73 de KI5HXM

[@mikekf0eap16]

What radio are you using? What HF mobile would you recommend for a newby?

[@hamradiotube]

I will answer the Yaesu FT-891 for both questions.

[@mikekf0eap16]

@@hamradiotube thanks

[@jimcox9571]

Hi Mike, This is Jm-W3COX again. What software are you using to log contacts? Jim

[@hamradiotube]

Either Aether on my Mac or HamLog (no longer available) on my iOS devices.

[@dougdukes1039]

Did you do a video on your battery box? Curious about the screen, what it is.

[@hamradiotube]

Not a build video but yes. I talk about my portable power solutions and show the box and everything inside. There is a parts list in the description. kzbin.info/www/bejne/i6TQeqyAZ7ycbdE

[@dougdukes1039]

@@hamradiotube Thanks.... did you replace the home made battery with a bioenno? Welcome to Texas. We are glad to have you. W5DMD

[@hamradiotube]

Thanks for the welcome I love it here. Replace, no. I still have my home made one in the box. I do use a bunch of Bioenno’s though.

[@N4EJM]

I’m looking for a good mount to attach to aluminum toolbox.

[@hamradiotube]

I wouldn't even know where to point you for that one.

[@N4EJM]

I think Breedlove has some that will work.

[@santossalinas7209]

Great video! What is that box on the left corner of your table? Where did you get it? 73 KI5KGT

[@hamradiotube]

I assume you're talking about my battery box? I made it from a plastic ammo can and some parts sourced from amazon. It has a watt/power meter, 4 Powerpoles, and a 2 port USB on the outside and a 10ah LiFePO4 battery I built as well as a small solar charge controller. If you search my videos for one called "My portable power solution" I think is what I called it you can see a a bit more of it.

[@santossalinas7209]

@@hamradiotube Thanks for the reply. I'll look for the other video and Happy Easter. I've been hunting today, POTA and it's been a fun day. 73 KI5KGT

[@daveN2MXX]

Wow, that's cool. Nice job, MFJ! I wonder how they are sensing the position of the coil so the microcontroller knows where to return for memorized positions?

[@recoblade1465]

You have to set it your self

[@stevearrowood7430]

It counts the turns of the screwdriver that you program into the controller but the antenna must have a turn counter. I know Diamond, Tarheels and Scorpions have this feature.

[@hamradiotube]

Theres some calibration you do on the controller. The instructions tell you how. It's really simple.

[@yugbe]

I'm confused. I thought the 891 had an ATAS antenna setting which acts as the controller?

[@hamradiotube]

If you have an ATAS antenna.

[@yugbe]

@@hamradiotube Ah, for some reason, I thought this was the ATAS, Lol. Please forgive my mistake. lol

[@josephroblesjr.8944]

I can't seem to find prices for these anywhere!

[@hamradiotube]

Really? A simple google search worked for me. Doesn't look like MFJ carries them anymore.

[@J20J20]

Enjoy ur vids don’t stop bro 73 VE7ZZP 🇨🇦

[@hamradiotube]

Thank you so much. You keep watching, I'll keep making. 73

[@donaldsmith3048]

It is good that it can take 100 mph. Living in Florida that can be a good thing to know.

[@hamradiotube]

Yes. For all those high speed qso's.

[@donaldsmith3048]

@@hamradiotube Thinking about Hurricanes

[@hamradiotube]

@@donaldsmith3048 OH yeah, those too lol!