Diamond SD330 Screwdriver.... Anyone got one?

[W4KVW]

Still researching...I know I should buy the Tarheel. From what I've read, if you want to use a tune controller, you send it back to Diamond and they'll install the sensor for free and ship it back, free.

I've called a few vendors, but seem they don't stock any with the controller sensor pre-installed. I don't need a controller, but know it'd be berries.

Anyone have one and can comment?

I had a local friend who used one of those & as I recall she was told that the antenna was built by TARHEEL & sold under the Diamond name? It worked very well also.If you already own the antenna I would ship it to them & have the part installed. It only costs you shipping one way & that's far cheaper than a New antenna.

SIX-SHOOTER

 

[fourstringburn]

The SideKick I ran came with a 36" whip, replaced it with a 72" on

Better yet, when stationary I use a 17 ft MFJ telescoping whip. This will make a very significant difference on lower bands. The whip collapses to about 30 inches for easy storage under your seat or in trunk.

 

[Mudfoot]

Better yet, when stationary I use a 17 ft MFJ telescoping whip. This will make a very significant difference on lower bands. The whip collapses to about 30 inches for easy storage under your seat or in trunk.

Nice... I read an article where a dude talked about that.

View attachment 29183

 

[Mudfoot]

I had a local friend who used one of those & as I recall she was told that the antenna was built by TARHEEL & sold under the Diamond name? It worked very well also.If you already own the antenna I would ship it to them & have the part installed. It only costs you shipping one way & that's far cheaper than a New antenna.

SIX-SHOOTER

I think I'll go the tune control route on my next screwdriver. So far, it's real easy to tune by ear. The large horizontal bridge display in the 891 is awesome and makes short work of fine tuning. I was expecting it to be more finicky than it is. Practically each time I tune for highest noise, a quick key shows it just under 2:1:1. 80 can be a little touchy, but not as bad as the ATAS is on 40.

A friend of mine has a screwdriver that he got in a trade a few years back. He was told it did 80, but wasn't sure of the brand. I might work a trade if it's something better than what I got. I took a long drive today and was pleased at how well it did. Of course, I have little experience for comparison purposes.

 

[w9cll]

My SideKick will do 80 with the longer whip I use.

 

[W4KVW]

I think I'll go the tune control route on my next screwdriver. So far, it's real easy to tune by ear. The large horizontal bridge display in the 891 is awesome and makes short work of fine tuning. I was expecting it to be more finicky than it is. Practically each time I tune for highest noise, a quick key shows it just under 2:1:1. 80 can be a little touchy, but not as bad as the ATAS is on 40.

A friend of mine has a screwdriver that he got in a trade a few years back. He was told it did 80, but wasn't sure of the brand. I might work a trade if it's something better than what I got. I took a long drive today and was pleased at how well it did. Of course, I have little experience for comparison purposes.

I ran a TAR

I think I'll go the tune control route on my next screwdriver. So far, it's real easy to tune by ear. The large horizontal bridge display in the 891 is awesome and makes short work of fine tuning. I was expecting it to be more finicky than it is. Practically each time I tune for highest noise, a quick key shows it just under 2:1:1. 80 can be a little touchy, but not as bad as the ATAS is on 40.

A friend of mine has a screwdriver that he got in a trade a few years back. He was told it did 80, but wasn't sure of the brand. I might work a trade if it's something better than what I got. I took a long drive today and was pleased at how well it did. Of course, I have little experience for comparison purposes.

 

[W4KVW]

I ran a TARHEEL II with an after market tune unit but I don’t remember the brand name? It was really easy to use. Just go to the frequency you wanted and push the button and it tuned very quickly.My neighbor had the same brand and model and has since went to a TARGET TUNER and he likes it even better.He runs it with an ICOM 7000 which is the same model of radio that I ran.That combination kicks the Yaesu 857D and ATAS-120A to sleep.Tuned far quicker and the TARHEEL II works 75/80 meters and it hears stuff the Yaesu combination never knew was there and then worked them as well.

SIX-SHOOTER

 

[w9cll]

Better yet, when stationary I use a 17 ft MFJ telescoping whip

I might try this at home

 

[fourstringburn]

I might try this at home

You should, it really works wonders on 40m and it is a noticeable improvment on 80m. You'll have to bring it down a bit for 20m because your antenna already adds to the length plus a little coil helps fine tune it.

On my Little Tarheel, it still won't tune to 160m because the feedpoint impedance is way out but how practical is 160m on a mobile anyway?

It's the MFJ-1979 17 ft telescoping whip. (Actually 16.5 ft) that's a 1/4 wave in 20m. It's a typical 3/8 x 24 threaded stud just like any other mobile whip. I keep 2 wrenches (always use a backup wrench when removing a whip on a screwdriver antenna) handy and can change whips in a minute.

Just be sure to take it down before you go through your neighorhood MickyD's drive-thru.