Ham Radio - The Slidewinder Coil.. the ATAS 120 killer?

An enjoyable morning working some DX and European contacts on 15 and 20m, plus short skip openings on 40m.
In this configuration, when ‘static mobile’ (portable), the antenna operates just as a manual screwdriver antenna, but with three BIG advantages over antennas which are at the cheaper end of the screwdriver market:
EFFICIENCY - Firstly, it’s much more efficient than say an ATAS on 20 and 40m owing to the 2.7m (9ft) long whip. (Around 3-3.5ft longer than an ATAS).
COST - Secondly, the price.. £85 bought me the coil, 9ft whip and mag mount. This amounts to around $120 US. This is less than 30% the price of an ATAS 120.
ADAPTABILITY - this system can be used with various whip sizes (9ft is probably the maximum recommended length) AND is not dependent on you owning a Yaesu radio to use it (as per the ATAS).
Sure you’ve got to jump out and move the coil to tune.. but once you become familiar with the settings per band it’s a real keeper!
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[@Davidm-M0TPT]

I have tried both side by side many times and every time the atas receives better and is a push button tune, as long as you take your time to install it :)

[@garyh8315]

Some cracking contacts there Tim. I am away on holiday at present and have been using the slidewinder and mil whip. A couple of POTA activations and also whilst sat in the sun at the caravan. China, Canada, USA all in the log, all on 20w. It is a good little package of an antenna. Thanks for sharing, all the best, 73

[@timg5tm941]

It’s a good combination! 73

[@m0scs]

Awesome! Nice to see a bit more of the antenna and set up. Great contacts made to New Zealand and Japan. I need to find a better way to tune up the Slidewinder as I don't have an antenna analyser to check it so relying on the SWR meter in FT857 only and having used it a few times have a rough idea where the slider needs to be. Nice one! 👍

[@timg5tm941]

It’ll get easier the more you use it, 73!

[@brian.7966]

well done Tim always good to see your films.

[@timg5tm941]

Thank you Brian!

[@M7BCN]

Watching on catchout, great activation Tim.

[@timg5tm941]

Awesome thank you Brian

[@n3jw34]

Nicely done videos, Tim. I already feel that I've ridden in your car! Thank you for taking the time to reply. I've been to the web page and considering flexibility, the unit at $168 BPDS, seems the choice! I'll let them know that you sent my business their way. Keep up the entertaining videos. Always great to travel along with you. N3JW, FL USA

[@timg5tm941]

Thank you very much and enjoy the antenna!

[@davidlucas6837]

Another good video Tim, I just pop my head out of the skylight in my campervan and adjust my slidewinder, move the slidewinder up/down for max noise. then fine tune using 891 swr display G8XDD

[@timg5tm941]

Yes its pretty simple I agree Dave

[@paulsengupta971]

I feel sunroofs need to come back into fashion. Back when I was first licensed (Class B), the antenna I built for 2m was a 2 element quad on a plastic pipe. I used to hold it out through the sunroof on my dad's Ford Orion up on the hills in South Wales, and thus had an "armstrong" rotator.

[@MM0OPXFieldRadio]

Brilliant one Mate catching Brian & Ron, I've worked Ron twice but yet to work Brian. I have no issues getting out to change bands when portable. I can do it in seconds with no SWR meter needed. For a long time thought about making a video on what people covet most in an antenna and it has nothing to do with how it performs.

[@timg5tm941]

I think that would be a great topic Colin!

[@rizo_gti7263]

Performed well! Only downside is getting out to change bands in the rain 😂 vs the ATAS120

[@brianfields4479]

Rain won't hurt you

[@timg5tm941]

Yep!!! Might spoil my hair 🤣

[@paulsengupta971]

@@brianfields4479 It'll get you wet, then when you get back in the car all the windows will steam up and you won't be able to drive home unless your air conditioning is working! (I may have experience...)

[@bensmith4563]

​@@brianfields4479no but getting wet is annoying af and feels gross for hours

[@izzetmuroz]

Good working mate....

[@timg5tm941]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@alzeNL]

I kept looking out the window for the Ice-Cream van coming by then realized it was the music on the video :D Very nice contacts indeed with a great simple to get-up-and-running setup. I cant get over how clear the reception is on some of the others and even the ZL contact, exciting stuff ! 73 2E0FWE

[@timg5tm941]

Thanks Al! Loved the ice cream van!!

[@Siskiyous6]

The fact you compared it to the ATAS shows how great the ATAS is, the ATAS is well worth the extra money.

[@timg5tm941]

Well that’s one perspective for sure

[@KuehncIncorporated]

​@timg5tm941 great qso action. I too love my atas/ft891. CURIOUS, How is your car grounded and bonded?

[@IZ0MTW]

i guess the antenna is only capacitive coupled to the chassie of the car. I have an ATAS120 and I’m very pleased. The real advantage is the free hands operation. You can tune it wherever you need with the touch of a button and don’t need the extra gear to analyse the swr. Even tough you should avoid tuning while driving sometimes I do it at low speed not to overload the motor. It works flawless.

[@IrishHamRadio]

Very nice… Must get one of those coils!

[@timg5tm941]

You know it makes sense Dave!

[@IrishHamRadio]

@@timg5tm941 and it'll make my wallet lighter... Win Win!!

[@mikecrockford6500]

Great video Tim, not sure if it's an ATAS killer as obviously its quicker and more convenient to tune the ATAS. I have both antennas and both are very capable, the Slidewinder is also cheaper of course making it a better option for those on a budget. And obviously better for anyone who doesn't run a Yaseu. 73 Mike M0VOZ

[@stevenelson6895]

Hi Tim, have you managed to try just the whip section of the ampro ham stick with the slidewinder, I’m curious to know what the results were if so !

[@timg5tm941]

Yep totally doable .. ok for 12 10 6 .. will work on all lower bands too but more of a compromise as you approach 20/40

[@gazgazmag4729]

Hi there Tim, Thanks for your video, would you please tell me the details of the whip you are using and where I might purchase one. Regards, Garry

[@timg5tm941]

Hi Garry it’s a road king tank whip 2 piece 9 feet antenna designed as a 1/4 wave on 27 MHz. Moonraker radio in the uk sell them.

[@acestudioscouk-Ace-G0ACE]

You had a pretty good morning and shows how well you can do with a portable set up. Please can I ask how many of the car park locations you use have height restrictions? I'm asking because I'm building a ham van/camper and lots of my local haunts restrict height to 2m or 2.5m which is too low for my Fiat Ducato.

[@timg5tm941]

I never have it installed when on the move so car park heights aren’t an issue. Of my three usual spots, 1 has a max height.

[@acestudioscouk-Ace-G0ACE]

@@timg5tm941 Thanks Tim, I wouldn't be moving with the antenna up, it's just a matter access given the height of the vehicle. Councils put the restrictions in place to stop encampments establishing but it causes a problem for legitimate camper vans and van users.

[@G4VYC.]

Great contacts Tim, I have the slidewinder but use a telescopic whip fully extended to 5 meters, is it better to extend it to only 9 ft. and use the coil to resonate? I always thought more metal in the air was better. 73 G4VYC

[@timg5tm941]

Hi Vic it depends on which bands you wish to use. Using the 9ft tank whip and the coil, the antenna is a tad long for 10m so produces a SWR of 2:1. Once the whip used exceeds a quarter wave long for a band and you use this with the coil, you’ll likely lose that band. So for example a 5m whip with the coil is likely to tune on 20/30/40, but you’ll lose a good match above 20m.

[@kennethblackwell1137]

Wow....great contacts....much fun...

[@timg5tm941]

Thanks Kenneth!

[@batfalcononyoutube]

Could you probably make some additional comments regarding this antenna? Unfortunately we haven't seen this model in real time so a mini presentation would be helpful

[@timg5tm941]

Check out the M1ECC antennas website. I can do an overview soon too

[@izzetmuroz]

​@@timg5tm941that would be nice ....

[@batfalcononyoutube]

@@timg5tm941 Thank you!

[@Joe-KN4IFI]

Well done Tim. 73 Joe

[@timg5tm941]

Thanks Joe 73

[@peterlowrie1216]

Ahh my mate GI0CWV in your log Tim, nice.

[@timg5tm941]

He was very strong!

[@jamesbuckley5330]

Do you use the M1ecc military whip or did you get a different one, looking at options for the coil. I have a MRQ213 but feel its too heavy and always get caught in trying to adjust the whip or the coil

[@timg5tm941]

Hi James I use a 9ft tank whip. In the UK available from Moonraker and Thunderpole.

[@peterrowland2039]

hi Tim i have been looking through your videos, you did a video about 3 year ago called Ham radio end fed half wave 40 meter stealth antenna fence hight. That would be ideal for my location. I am new to the hobby can you explain what happens after the unun does it need to be earthed do you use an ATU.

[@timg5tm941]

I didnt earth it - just coax to the radio

[@andyM7XTT]

Nice work tim:) I normally get the japan stations I can't understand a word.73

[@timg5tm941]

Ha!!

[@n3jw34]

Tim _ I didn't spot a source for the antenna. Could you do so? TU!

[@timg5tm941]

Hi! Look at M1ECC antennas for the coil. The whip is a 9ft CB 1/4 wave

[@stevenelson6895]

Which whip is this Tim ? Is it one of the military tank whip types in sections from M1ECC?

[@timg5tm941]

No Steve it’s a 25 quid 9ft 2 piece tank whip designed as a 1/4 wave for 27 MHz

[@morayr6]

Tim how good can you get the swr on different bands

[@timg5tm941]

Below 1.5:1 without any issues

[@morayr6]

@@timg5tm941 pretty versatile think I will get one

[@Ray_M0MXN]

How does that battery hold up Tim? Good usage time wise?

[@timg5tm941]

Lasts for many hours at 100w SSB Ray

[@joseneves2822]

Very cool QSO's / 73

[@timg5tm941]

Thanks!

[@SheffieldVince-2E0NZS]

People have said that the ATAS receives better than the m1ecc Slidewinder with a tank whip radiator! I find that highly unlikely.

[@timg5tm941]

So do I

[@Porco_Utah]

it seems like Slidewinder Coil is good match for 1/4 wave CB whip sold in America. AG6JU

[@timg5tm941]

Agree thats what I use 73

[@pasjeihobby]

Call me cheap but I would go for it instead of ATAS just because of prize factor. Great video.

[@timg5tm941]

Good choice! And thank you!

[@paulsengupta971]

"You're cheap". Don't worry, I'm even cheaper and haven't bought one of those coils! 🙂

[@thephantomharanguer]

I watched to the end and never found the answer to the question asked in the title for this vid

[@timg5tm941]

Was a rhetorical question .. it’s pondering if it is better than an atas or not? Up to the viewer to decide

[@norrinradd8952]

The price difference makes it a winner in my book. Guess I'm just a cheap ham.

[@timg5tm941]

Me too!

[@gfodale]

Decent antenna, but to answer the title, no.

[@forgetyourlife]

My Slidewinder broke with just modest use using the stock whip. Shipping to the USA was very expensive. Would NOT buy again.

[@timg5tm941]

Ah not good

[@greyman5590]

Portable? 😂