HI Q Antenna install help questions ??

[ghutch]

Guys I purchased a HI Q 6-160 antenna, anyone here use one??...need any insights or experiences you have with screwdriver antennas in general and specific info on the HI Q type would be appreciated
1. Want to use a quick disconnect.....seems breedloves are the best??
2. Plan to use this in a Tacoma pickup....bonded chassis and cab but Fiberglas bed. Front center of the bed is going to be the mounting area...high enough to get the coil above the cab.
3. Operation will be primarily 80-10 with emphasis on 40 up I don't do 6 or 160. Maybe later?? On 160
4. Controllers.....What is best?? Where what etc.. Radio is an Icom 7200 stock no power, in fact many days QRP power. Y
Would love to see a bunch of experiences or screwdriver knowledge .... I have none! Please help me get this setup done correctly any insights or ideas pls

 

[M0GVZ]

KØBG.COM has all the answers to your questions. Be prepared to put in a lot of work to get a good mobile installation. Took me 2 days to do mine. However as a result I've 12000+ mile /M QSOs in the log and have had lots of "can't believe you're mobile" responses in the past.

 

[W5LZ]

http://www.worldwidedx.com/members/w5lz-albums-screwdriver-antennas-picture371t-pu-ant-02.jpg

That's how I originally mounted the antenna. It worked just fine, but eventually tore the tool box loose from the bed, just a lot of momentum/torque developed. Remounted the tool box (heavier bolts) and then mounted the antenna to the backward facing side of the box. Nothing came loose then and it worked just fine.
I wouldn't recommend that rail behind the cab of the truck. No idea what other options you have so you have to decide about that.
Have fun.
- 'Doc

 

[ghutch]

M0GVZ.....I've spent hours reading Alan's website, thus the amount of bonding. Spent several hours just attaching these straps. I don't think I have any ground loops, I varied the lengths and areas where the bonding straps are connected. Longest one is about 1 1/2 feet long. Radio wires are direct to the battery positive and the ground strap at the body panel on the negative post. Both are fused, cables are as short as possible. After bonding the radios noise went way down, S6-7 to S1. The only noise I have is an intermittent fuel pump clicking but the noise blanker removes it, I ve been lazy or it would be strapped.
I know some folks does not like hi q antennas design but it is the one I bought so I'll just make the best of it. All of these type antennas are a compromise.
I just can't get my head around some of the physics he talks about. The reactance, inductance and relationship between them is part of my hang up. I need to take a on line study semester or two ! Shunt coils and what they do? These are my issues.
I get the ideas about mounting, is critical due to coupling to the cab and body panels, placing the antenna over ground at a low mounting increases ground loss so I think as close to center and as high as possible is the best location.
Doc....after some thought I can move the strap up as high in the bed as your tool box. The mourning I have is a tarheel bracket and the tarheel bed mounting post. This mounting plate and post bolts down to the frame and has a 1inch rod welded in an upright position to clamp the antenna bracket onto. This height can be moved up and down, not locked into the mounting bracket at all. Any plan will have the coil as high as possible and above the cab height. I've also thought about a folding mount that would allow the antenna to be laid back at a 45 degree angle? NVIS or just out of the way. Breedlove has a super duty design for scorpion antennas and I'm sure he could do one for HI Q.
I have purchased a MFJ antenna analyzer to help with the instal.....much to learn! And I Need your inputs and ideas

 

[W5LZ]

Since I'm not familiar with 'Hi-Q's mounting methods I can't recommend anything in particular. Visiting a few of the screwdriver antenna maker's sites and looking at their galleries isn't a bad idea. Who knows, you might find exactly what you are looking for.
Good luck and have fun.
- 'Doc