Any HF mobile installs?

[CommGeek]

never supposed to be

The phrase most often precluding a CAPF 78.   


Nice install!  Which/whose van is that?

FL Wing - Cargo / Comm

[arajca]

I thought ...

Bad habit around here.

[JoeTomasone]

Nice install!  Which/whose van is that?

FL Wing - Cargo / Comm

Then that's the van I am commandeering when I get back and need to tow the Wing Comm Trailer around. 

[Eclipse]

Nice install on the van - have you had any issues with the computer?  We have one member who has had issue with his airbag and service soon light when you key up the radio.

You have no idea how ridiculous that traffic cone looks on a POV.  Our will be going in the MCP trailer.

[kd8gua]

I'm curious as to whether I can set up a 102" stainless whip tuned for 10 meters as an NVIS setup. DX propagation during the winter months is terrible on 10, so maybe I can instead try local stuff.

[N Harmon]

You're not going to find a lot of days where the critical frequency is up in 10 meter country, which is why you're not getting good DX. Unfortunately NVIS works on the same principle as DX, just with a steeper angle.

Your best bet is to stick to 60-80 meter frequencies.

[kd8gua]

Guess that means it's time to upgrade my ham ticket. There's only so much a tech can do on HF.

[davidsinn]

I thought ...

Bad habit around here.

[CommGeek]

Im having serious issues with the computer!   Had to re-route the coax cable, wrap the computer in aluminum foil, and it still gives me issues!  Im going to try to wrap the coax.  Any ideas?   Probably going to get Wing to get the noise suppression kit from Mobat too...

[CommGeek]

Nice install!  Which/whose van is that?

FL Wing - Cargo / Comm

Joe, you should see what Doug and Bob did with the trailer!  NICE!!!  Ill post pics monday when I'm back in town!

So when do you come home?
Then that's the van I am commandeering when I get back and need to tow the Wing Comm Trailer around. 

[kd8gua]

I don't have much experience with HF, so take this FWIW. I think the location of your antenna is causing the most problems with your computer. Understandably so, when running a 130" whip NVIS style over the length of the vehicle with a tie down, there are few locations to mount the antenna base. I personally think if the base were mounted on the rear bumper, you'd have less RFI interference.

[Eclipse]

I don't have much experience with HF, so take this FWIW. I think the location of your antenna is causing the most problems with your computer. Understandably so, when running a 130" whip NVIS style over the length of the vehicle with a tie down, there are few locations to mount the antenna base. I personally think if the base were mounted on the rear bumper, you'd have less RFI interference.

In this case, that's where the traffic cone is mounted.  Removing one section of the whip, and having the antenna off to the side of the vehicle relieved the issue somewhat.

[JoeTomasone]

Im having serious issues with the computer!   Had to re-route the coax cable, wrap the computer in aluminum foil, and it still gives me issues!  Im going to try to wrap the coax.  Any ideas?   Probably going to get Wing to get the noise suppression kit from Mobat too...

If you're running in an NVIS configuration (antenna horizontal over the top of the van), you'll have to consider the 100 watts blasting it from the antenna as well.   Not a lot of shielding possibilities there that I can think of.   You'd likely only want to run it while not driving.   

I'd love to see pics of the trailer.    I'm here indefinitely - until I quit or get let go, basically - thanks to our lovely economy.

[N7MOG]

I did the install on the van that is in the pictures.  (South Dakota Wing DC)  Actually still trying to get the darn thing to work well, even tho it looks great!

Bill Collister
SDWG    DC
N7MOG

[jks19714]

I believe that you would be much better served for in-state/regional coverage by connecting a horizontal wire (20-100 ft) in place of the whip along with a couple of radial wires to the "ground" connection of the coupler.  NVIS is your friend.  Vertical whips radiate equally poorly in all directions (look up "radiation efficiency" of an HF whip and you'll see what I mean).

john

[N Harmon]

My unit's Dodge Caravan was recently outfitted with a mobile HF ALE capability. Here are some photos of the results.