HF antenna mounting options.

[Markf]

Hi all,
The subject says most of it [bigsmile1]

Looking to install an HF radio. The radio part of it is covered - Elecraft KX3 + KXP100 amplifier which can be put anywhere within reason.

The problem is the antenna end of things. I'm steering clear of screwdriver antennas and looking at a Outbacker Outreach which is the bottom one at AUSTRALIAN (http://outbacker.biz/OUTBACKER-ANTENNA-SALES/AUSTRALIAN-OUTBACKER-ANTENNA-S/australian-outbacker-antenna-sales-.html) .
I have no bull or nudge bar so that option is gone.

Does anyone have any suggestions ?

[dromader driver]

I have seen HF wips mounted on the rear of vehicles either on the towbar or a right angle brackeet/other bracket attached to something fairly substantial on the rear of the vehicle. Rear wheel mounts are good provided they are earthed. If you are not going to use the radio when mobile a long wire is worth the effort.

Moonraker antennas made in Tasmania are also very good. We used them on helicopters in PNG where everything works on HF. Think it was an AT230.

127549 This one's a bit big and not a moonraker

[Markf]

You're right the first one is just a little large. The bracket in the second pic has given me some ideas that I should be able to work with - thanks.

I've tried a variety of "screw driver" antennas in the past and while effective they tend to vibrate themselves into unreliability. The Moonraker is a screwdriver type antenna and WELL out of my price range hence the attraction to the Terlin Outbacker. Barrett and Codan antennas whilst appearing robust are still screwdriver type antennas and as such have moving parts. The Terlin has no moving parts and has a solid reputation as being bullet proof.

When I'm camped I just use a linked dipole as an inverted V using the ubiquitous squid pole for the centre support which is very effective. I'm only looking at the Outbacker for the purposes of the travellers net (14.116MHz at 0300 UTC daily). Setting up the dipole, doing the net thing and packing up the dipole is just a pain for such a short amount of radio time.

[dromader driver]

Standing by for install photo's ......