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HF Mobile Installation and Operation

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Hi 'Q' Very effective antenna. Computerized control units can be added for quick band changes. ... Hi 'Q' make tuning on low bands very touchy. High Sierra ... – PowerPoint PPT presentation

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Title: HF Mobile Installation and Operation


1
HF Mobile Installation and Operation
2
Why HF Mobile?
  • HF Bands are used for Long and Medium haul
    communications. VHF UHF for short range or
    local communications.

3
Why HF Mobile?
  • With todays modern compact transceivers it is
    possible to have portable HF communication in our
    vehicles.

4
Components Of A Mobile Station
  • Transceiver
  • Antenna System (radiator matching network)
  • Power Source

5
Transceivers
  • There are many HF transceivers on the market
    made specifically for mobile or portable use.

6
Transceivers
  • Units designed for mobile work usually have easy
    to read displays.
  • They should be mounted so that they do not affect
    the drivers ability to safely operate the
    vehicle.

7
Yaesu offers many models for mobile operating
8
ICOM has its IC-706 and IC-703 (QRP) models
9
Kenwoods TS-480 is available in a 200 watt
version
10
Alinco DX-70 THHF6m All Modes
11
Antenna Systems
  • Mobile antenna Systems are comprised of a
    radiator and a matching network.
  • Mobile antennas have a low impedance, therefore,
    a matching network is required.

12
Antenna Systems
  • Systems can be mono-band or multi-band.
  • Multi band systems can be tuned from inside the
    vehicle while in motion or from outside the
    vehicle when stopped.

13
Antenna SystemsGood, Bad and Ugly
  • All systems have some sort of loading.
  • Center loading is best.
  • Base loading is least effective
  • Because of their skinny coils, helically wound
    antennas are a compromise of the other two
    designs.

14
SWR
  • A good SWR is not an indicator of an effective
    antenna system.
  • Click your heels and say this three times.
  • Think of a dummy load it has a good SWR but is
    not an effective antenna.

15
BIG NOTE
  • An entire program can be had just on the
    discussion of antennas. All mobile antennas are
    a compromise of some sort and much consideration
    should be given to safety and the type of
    operating that is being done, as well as spouse
    appeal.
  • End of Big Note.

16
Multi Band Antennas
  • Motorized
  • Automatically tuned
  • Manually tuned

17
Center Loaded Antennas
  • Whether motorized or manually tuned, these
    are by far the most effective type of mobile
    antenna.

18
Motorized Antennas
  • Commonly called screwdriver antennas because
    the first designs used cordless screwdriver to
    drive the screw that adjust the coil.
  • Uses a motor to move a large coil up and down to
    obtain resonance.
  • System consist of the large coil, whip radiator,
    shunt coil at feed point and a control unit

19
Motorized AntennasAdvantages
  • Multi band.
  • Can be tuned from inside the vehicle.
  • Hi Q Very effective antenna.
  • Computerized control units can be added for quick
    band changes.

20
Motorized AntennasDisadvantages
  • Large and heavy requires strong mounting and
    support brackets.
  • Hi Q make tuning on low bands very touchy.

21
High Sierra motorized antennas
22
Lil Tar heel motorized antenna
23
The Yaesu ATAS-100 Active Tuning Antenna System
provides HF/VHF/UHF coverage with automatic
motorized tuning. Utilizing control signals from
the transceivers microprocessor received via the
coaxial cable, the ATAS-100's internal motor
adjusts the radiator length for best SWR.
24
Manually Tuned Center LoadedMulti Band Antennas
  • Some types use taps to tap the coil at a resonant
    point.
  • Other designs use multiple resonators or change
    resonators on a single mast.

25
Bug CatchersAdvantages
  • Very effective center loaded antennas.
  • Large coils results in Hi Q.
  • Can be tapped to use on multiple bands

26
Bug CatchersDisadvantages
  • Large and heavy requires strong mounting and
    support.
  • Band changes have to done while parked.

27
Large coil and center loading make the Bugcatcher
an excellent performer. This unit is shown with
a capacitance hat.
28
Capacitance Hats
  • Loss resistance is lowered by removing turns in
    an inductor coil.
  • This is then compensated for by adding
    capacitance above the coil.
  • The more capacitance that is added the less
    inductance is needed for a given frequency.

29
CPU Controlled Automatically Tuned Multi Band
Antennas
  • Uses a CPU controlled matching network and a whip
    antenna.
  • Can match almost any frequency.
  • Some models are capable of matching over a
    million LC combinations in less than a second.

30
CPU Controlled Automatically Tuned Multi Band
Antennas
  • System can be made low profile.
  • Internal memories save settings an allow quick
    band changes.

31
CPU Controlled Automatically Tuned Multi Band
Antennas
  • When used with a loaded whip designed for the
    tuner these systems can be extremely effective.
  • When used with a 8 ft. whip the system is less
    effective than loaded whip or center loaded
    systems.

32
Interior view of YAESU FC-40 CPU controlled
remote tuner for FT-897 FT-857 radios
33
ICOM AH-4 CPU controlled auto-tuner for use with
many ICOM radios
34
ALINCO EDX-2for USE exclusively with ALINCO
DX-70T, DX-70TH, DX-77EQ, DX--77T, DX-701 and
DX-707
35
SGC makes an entire line of reliable CPU
controlled auto-tuners that will match almost any
radiator with any radio.
36
SGCs QMS system is rugged, mounts on any vehicle
and includes the CPU tuner and loaded whip
antenna.
37
Mono-Band Antennas
  • Operate on a single band.
  • Can be effective.
  • Can be made low profile.
  • Can be easily mounted.
  • Inexpensive way to enter into HF mobile.

38
Good results can be had with mono band antennas.
These sticks can be easily mounted and are
lower profile.
39
Antenna Mounting
  • Which ever antenna is used the mount has to be
    solid, strong and safe.
  • No sharp edges or protrusions that could cause
    injury.
  • Anything flying off a moving vehicle can be
    deadly. Safety first.
  • Obey DOT laws.

40
Custom Heavy Duty Mount
41
Notice the heavy braided ground strap added to
this custom mount ensuring a good bond to frame.
42
Custom Heavy Duty Mount
43
Dont Be Afraid To Drill A Hole
44
Mounting Alternatives
45
Mounting Alternatives
46
Grounding
  • A good solid ground connection to the vehicle
    frame is necessary for good antenna performance.
  • Make ground connections as short as possible and
    to bare metal.
  • Ground connections can be weatherproofed with
    undercoating spray.

47
Bonding
  • Bonding is connecting together loose or moving
    metal parts of the vehicle with grounding braid.
  • These areas are doors, trunk and hood lids,
    mufflers and exhaust parts, and any other areas
    where metal parts may rub.
  • Rubbing metal parts can cause excessive noise in
    the receiver.

48
Power
  • Power should be taken directly from the vehicles
    battery.
  • Both positive and negative leads should be fused
    at the battery. If there is a fault anywhere
    after the fuse the fuse will do its job and
    break the circuit.

49
Both leads should be fused at the battery to
prevent fire.
50
Power
  • Drawing power directly from the battery helps
    eliminate noise.
  • All leads should be 10 ga. or larger stranded
    wire and be kept as short as necessary.
  • Protect wires with rubber grommets where they
    pass through the firewall or any metal.

51
Power
  • Flexible conduit and wire ties make the job neat
    and also protect wires form accidentally being
    cut or shorted.
  • If using an auxiliary battery, make sure that it
    is securely mounted with proper electrical
    connections and change over charging circuits.

52
Grommets and conduit protects wires. Cable ties
keeps things neat.
53
Flexible conduit and wire ties keeps all wires
dressed and neat.
54
Wires and cables
  • Keep all wires and cables as concealed as
    possible.
  • Not only does it make the job look neat but,
    it also protects them from damage and prevents
    anyone from tripping as they enter or exit the
    vehicle.

55
Mounting The Radio
  • The radio should be mounted in such a way that
    it does not interfere with the drivers ability
    to safely operate the vehicle.
  • Period.

56
Mounting The Radio
  • Say it again.
  • The radio should be mounted in such a way that
    it does not interfere with the drivers ability
    to safely operate the vehicle.
  • Period.

57
Mounting The Radio
  • The mount should
  • Be secure.
  • Not obstruct the driver in any way
  • Keep the unit within easy reach and view.
  • Allow proper air flow and not be in a heat source
    such as heat ducts.

58
Mounting The Radio
  • Unsecured objects in a vehicle are potential
    hazards in an accident.
  • They can be thrown about, hitting the
    occupants with deadly results.

59
Mounting The Radio
  • A lot of the mobile HF radios today offer a
    detachable remote control head that allows to
    face of the radio to be mounted in a safe and
    convenient location while the main unit is
    mounted out of the way under a seat or in a trunk.

60
Pedestal mounts work well in pick up trucks
61
or SUVs
62
An aftermarket visor shelf makes a convenient and
safe mount for this ICOM IC-706 control head.
63
Gooseneck allows control head to be adjusted.
64
Control head of this YAESU FT-100 is mounted
safely and securely and allows the driver to view
it at a glance.
65
YAESU FT-857 control head mounted on gooseneck
and radio mounted under passenger seat. A neat
and secure installation.
66
Noise
  • Grounding and shielding should eliminate most
    noise in your receiver and on your transmitted
    signal.
  • Ferrite on speaker leads and other leads to
    electronics and CPU modules can remedy RFI in the
    vehicle.

67
Noise
  • Previously mention bonding of metals parts can
    prevent unwanted receiver static noise.
  • A large capacitor from the positive lead to
    ground will eliminate AC noise on DC power cables.

68
Noise
  • RFI to your vehicle can be a problem. Some
    fuel pumps or other devices have been known to
    shut down in the presence of strong RF signals.
  • Consult your vehicle manufacturer for any
    Technical Service Bulletins (TSB) regarding these
    issues.

69
PublicationsYour Mobile Companion
  • http//www.arrl.org/catalog/?item5129

70
PublicationsARRL Handbook
http//www.arrl.org/catalog/?item9280
71
PublicationsARRL Antenna Book
http//www.arrl.org/catalog/?item9043
72
Resources
  • ARRL on the web
  • http//www.arrl.org/tis/info/HF-Mobile.html
  • http//www.arrl.org/news/features/1999/11/05/1/

73
Contributors
  • Thank you to all who supplied pictures of
    their mobile installations
  • AB1ER, N1RWY, W2WJO, K3CAV, W3IZ, N5PR,
    K6OWL, W6PW, WØWEB

74
Contact
  • Norm Fusaro, W3IZ
  • ARRL Affiliated Clubs/Mentor
  • Program Manager
  • 225 Main St. Newington, CT 06111
  • 860-594-0230
  • w3iz_at_arrl.org
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