HF radio Antennas

[Richard Brabazon]

Has anyone current experience with HF radio using a whip aerial as against the backstay. Did the RX or TX performance change much - what frequencies were you using and which were most effected ?

 

[Bob Bass]

I Have

I have used a 23-foot whip for several years and have talked to the Chesapeake from the Bahamas. I know someone that had both types and most of the time, he got better transmission using the whip. My whip is a free-standing model from Shakesphere mounted on top of my aft arch.

 

[Pat Tyler]

Antenna

I use a ham stick. It's a whip about 8 feet long. It's mounted on the stern rail with a quick disconnect. I use it on 3.950, 7.285 and 14.300. Of course there are three different whips, one for each freq. Works great. It's still necessary to ground it properly. You can purchase these from LakeSide Amature Supply in Columbia SC. Sorry I can't find their number.

 

[Ron]

Ham Radio

I'm a Ham down here in Texas. I use a Hamstick on my boat and run QRP (low power 2 1/2 watts)and get out all over the country just fine. It's mounted on the stern rail. Generally speaking, you will have better TX and RX if you are commuticating with some who has the same type antenna as you ..e.i. vertical or horizontal. If you want to use a horizontal you can join two hamsticks together to form a dipole and use it that way. I do phone patches at home using a Hamstick dipole for people in the South Pacific on Boats. I use 100 watts and get out just fine.Why don't you consider getting a Ham license? There are 750,000 hams in the US alone. It is so much better than SSB Marine... and cheaper, too! Ron/KA5HZV

 

[Jack Tyler]

Pat, can you check the name again...

Pat, I'd like to follow up on your comments about a Ham Stick with Lakeside Amateur Supply (correct?) but the URL search gives me lots of other stuff. Can you recheck their phone # or URL? Thanks.Jack N3FYP

 

[Pat Tyler]

Hamstick

Jack, That's the correct name. I don't believe they have a webb site. You might try information and a phone book on the webb. They are at all the hamfest in the area. Several other companies make the same antenna however I believe theirs is more rugged. I'll try and find the phone number on a old invoice if I can locate one. You will need a small tuner with it. I use a mfj that I picked up at a hamfest for $5.00.Pat

 

[Jim Hague]

Try this.

Nice folks at Universal.