DIAMOND HF MOBILE "CL" SERIES ANTENNAS - BETTER THAN BASE LOADED? | HAM RADIO

The Diamond HF Mobile "CL" Series Antennas are a bit special. Centre Loading is claimed to be superior to base loading. Peter G3OJV, tests out the 20m model. Other models cover the bands 10m - 80m.
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[@timg5tm941]

The 2.2m centre loaded version is about 5.5dB better in terms of efficiency than the 1.4m base loaded version on 40m. This difference is 3/4 because it’s a longer antenna and 1/4 as it’s centre loaded. If both antennas were 2.2m long the difference would be about 1.3dB .. not massive by any means.

[@watersstanton]

Wow! Those figures are so wildly wrong! Bit more reading on mobile HF antennas may give you a better understanding. Try ARRL Antenna Hand Book. 73s Peter

[@timg5tm941]

@@watersstanton I think it’s you that needs to do some reading Peter!

[@harleypattersonkc9gld167]

Thanks Peter for your video, I'm now on my 4th different vehicle for hf use, I've used hamsticks, MFJ apartment antenna,( bug catcher type), various models, but by far have found the Diamond hf40cl is performing better than any in the past, currently on a 6" diameter magnet with an additional ground wire added to ground the base of the antenna, but now have found a way to drill a couple holes in the top of my 06 Mercury Monterey for 1 hf, and 1 vhf antenna, i dont operate while driving, only while parked. Your videos have helped me discover the efficient operation of the Diamond. Thanks again. Harley kc9gld

[@hamradiomobile]

I started off with the Diamond Fx range and use these for driving but for the last 2 years I have also got the CL range from 40m to 15m and will soon buy for 6 & 10m. Absolute game changer for mobile, there is over 6db of improvement, can be more depending on the band compared to the base loaded. Swr is good, no cutting needed if you have a good earth, well build and I cannot think of a single negative thing to say. 2.1m tall I would not drive with them but for parked up its amazing. Japan, New Zealand, Australia, Hawaii all recent contacts with videos on Fb and KZbin as evidence. I would go as far to say these are the best mono band HF antennas on the market. Park by the sea and seriously you will be amazed, but like anything spend a little time on the install.

[@smiffykuk]

Interesting Peter.. have used Hustlers in the past and always amazed at just how well mobile or static mobile works☺️

[@Sparkfly88]

Bought this antenna and and the diamond lip mount for the back the hatch of my subaru forester due to this video. Absolutely love it. When I grounded the mount the antenna was perfectly centerd on the 20m voice section. I work the entire US along with a smattering of DX on my POTA activations with my FT 891 doing 100watt SSB voice. Have left the antenna installed while driving highway speeds and haven't had any ill effects to it. I've even smacked a couple trees with it and it's perfectly fine. 😅

[@robhorsch3669]

Great review, Peter. I just got the 20 meter CL. It works great on my 300TD wagon roof rack mount, but not on a 6 inch mag mount (ground plane issue). I also use it as a portable antenna, using the mag mount as a weighted base. Of course it won't tune by itself. But I added 2 radials (about 8 feet) of very thin enameled wire (stripped at the connection) trapped between the antenna base & the mag mount. I also added a toroid on the coax lead near the base as you suggested for mobile. 1:1 swr across most of the phone band! Then I set it up on a rock bulkhead 5 feet above a saltwater harbor at the base of 50 foot bluff. Wow - worked ssb from Vashon Island, WA to Iowa on 1 watt, and most of Europe on 100 watts. Picture on qrz. Last night the swr went wonky - the high tide had reached one of the radials! Easily fixed. What a great recommendation - thank you. 73, N7RLV

[@watersstanton]

Great tp hear your superb results. Yes salt water is amazing. I parked up by salt water in Scotland and with 20W SSB i worked easily into east USA. Have fun and thanks. Will check QRZ 73 Peter.

[@frankwc0o]

It's funny you talk about this antenna. It was my first HF mobile antenna I got, but for what ever reason it didn't work for me. I'm looking at it right now and you have motivated me to try again. I love the Resonator, just a great base loaded antenna - hard to beat. But, now that I know much more about mobile antenna I need to revisit this antenna and find out it's performance. Perhaps, have both antennas and try them out.

[@watersstanton]

The most important thing is the earth arrangements. Check my previous video. 73 Peter

[@frankwc0o]

@@watersstanton I will add counterpoise or a try-mag mount. I think the antenna works great for you because you have a lot of metal. But, let's see what happens. I'm trying it out tomorrow. :)

[@joseneves2822]

Hello Peter, I bought these antennas from Diamond, at the moment for the bands 15, 20 and 40 meters, because they did not have in stock the antenna for the 10 meters. Also bought Diamond K-3000 triple magnet base ... very good base ... with this base, in my setup, all antennas are very well grounded. Yesterday I was operating the 40 mts and made a qso with Bilbao 5/9 +10 , my QTH is Cascais, very good radio signal and excellent audio modelasing Many thanks for sharing / 73 CR7BDO

[@raymondmartin6737]

Thanks 😊 for the nice CL antennas review, from Yorkshire, and the scenery up there. It is interesting in comparison to some of the FX series single band whips I obtained a while ago from your shop to me here in the US. Cheerio and 73 de W2CH, Ray.

[@gregmihran8616]

Peter, thank you for featuring these amazing Diamond center-loaded CL mobile antennas! I bought a couple bands at first and loved them so much, I bought all the bands! Of course, these are a compromise antenna when compared to a full-size quarter-wave but their performance is very, very close. I'm very impressed - especially with the performance of the 40M-80M band antennas. And the tip-over feature is very valuable while driving or going into your garage. 73 KJ6ER, Silicon Valley

[@robhorsch3669]

Hello Greg - now I wonder if I worked your POTA when you were running this antenna. 73, N7RLV

[@gregmihran8616]

@@robhorsch3669 woo hoo Rob!! I've used one of these monoband antennas in about 10% of my 250+ POTA activations so it could have been 😀 73 KJ6ER

[@McRocking]

I've worked Slavko S57DX with 2.5W into an ampro. He gave me 5 & 9 too!

[@gurudattapanda]

The counterpoise plays a vital role.. I thought this will work on my terrace but it never did . We took it to a Sea Beach , and to my surprise the swr never came below 2. Later i discovered that it's only meant to be used for vehicle mounts. Perhaps the L Type mount I amde with a So239 socket didn't served well .. anyway that was me.. Now after watching this video I am thinking to get back to that antenna, assemble and test it again at my farms..

[@paulsengupta971]

Either use a ground plane or complete the other half of the dipole, perhaps with a second one of these antennas!

[@juanpedronevesyona7840]

Excellent video, very practical, very easy to understand. My next project is the hf mobile station. Thanks for spending your time and wisdom, cx2vj

[@wjess3569]

Do you no longer carry this antenna..? I don't see it on your website.

[@Subgunman]

A very interesting antenna! Many years before I obtained my Ham ticket I worked CB in the early 70's on the 11 meter band in the USA. I found the best mobile antenna for mobile ops was a Shakespeare top loaded fiberglass whip. It was relatively flat throughout the band. Fast forward to around 2015, I was researching for a broadband antenna that would cover both the 2 meter ham bands as well as the commercial bands. Well I found one! Again made by Shakespeare. Was rated to work from 140 to 170 MHz. It was designed for the military for use on patrol boats. Very rugged design to meet mil specs and came with a price tag to match, close to $400USD at the time. Maybe some day it will be added to my mobile ops.

[@watersstanton]

Many thanks for sharing.

[@dennisbauer3315]

Thank you very much, any tips and tricks on the mag base, is the mag base better, and there is no need to ground to chassis of Van? This antenna would be better on a mag base,?? a mag base is not grounded to van, is it. and it would not be efferent on a Roo bar or Bull bar at front of vehicle as in some countries, in remote areas. Thank you Peter, all ways good viewing.

[@watersstanton]

Check out my previous video to this one. That should help. 73 Peter

[@dennisbauer3315]

@@watersstanton Hello Peter, thank you so much for reply. All good, 73 VK4JDJ

[@2E0LMI]

Hi Peter. Noticed the SWR bar was flicking up quite high when you were talking. The only time I have seen it go up that high on my G90 was when I had a couple of elements of my fan dipole too close together. Might you have a little issue there?

[@watersstanton]

There was some VSWR as I had resonated the antenna at the CW end. No problem, just lazy!

[@nr3rful]

Always show interesting content..possibly a home backyard antenna also...

[@grandpaandlucas7054]

i had this on a truck. good antenna but to much weight on the so239.

[@PrimulaCarniolica]

Hi Peter. From own experiences DIAMOND HF MOBILE "CL" SERIES ANTENNAS are absolutely superb monoband antennas in many ways!!! Because of well made, material, practical construction and great performance!!! But golden rule is as you mention : "The most important thing is the earth arrangements"!!! I use triple magnet mount (for 10,15, 20m) but for 40&80m is absolutely crucial to use home made "extra" additional piece of magnet & brass sheet same size as "sandwich" (with solder wire on) to get proper SWR!!! Or you can buy from Diamond MAT-50 magnet earth sheet for same purpose. 73 de S51X

[@watersstanton]

Hi there. Many thanks for sharing your info. Take care. 73 Peter

[@davidlucas6837]

Great Video Peter, the Campervan looks impressive as well! so why stay at a cottage, not a campsite?!!

[@watersstanton]

We wereinvited there as guests.

[@davidlucas6837]

@@watersstanton HaHa, sounds like you enjoyed it!

[@stefaan1231]

Nice antenna the cl 40 enz... A top antenna for the car and /p with some hombrew work. Tnx Peter 73 from on2bs

[@johnarnold9178]

peter that aerial looks good and i can see you had fun testing it out. i know you had it on the mag mount .but did you have a ground connecting wire as you demonstrated in one of your other videos all in all good work . john 2e0emq

[@watersstanton]

Check the previous video and you will see the exact setup I was using. 73 Peter.

[@TheBeggFamily]

Very helpful, thanks!

[@watersstanton]

Glad it was helpful!

[@VOGDXEU]

It's more likely a 40m band antenna rather a 20m band antenna... It's quite big....

[@ehayes5217]

Once again, great info!!! 73 de WA4ELW in TN 🇺🇸 dit dit 😃

[@watersstanton]

Many thanks.

[@M7BXR]

Part of me thinks you should just drill the roof and have a permanent mounting, leave the mount in place when you come to sell, I can't see it detracting from it's resale value. Anyway, best you get up Tann Hill on your next jaunt up norf! Simon M7BXR.

[@watersstanton]

That is not on my list of options. There is very heavy internal thermal insulation.