Mobile antenna
 

A couple of weeks ago I posted here that I wanted to string a wire off
my automobile antenna to get SW reception on a trip I would be taking
soon. That idea was shot down by the good members of this NG. A
magnetic-base Rat Shack type was recommended so that's what I plan on doing.
The question is what type of antenna to get.
They all have coils, springs, lumpy things and other doo-dads
attached. For general SW reception, what type of antenna would be best
for me to get?
Cheap is good too.

Thanks in advance for your input.

Finch,

I installed an AM/FM-scanner SPLITTER in my truck. In other words, the AM/FM radio AND a scanner or SW or whatever receiver I'd like
can be run off the split from the vehicles antenna. Works good enough, there's no other extra antenna to fool with and you are
running stealth besides!

Here's one supplier
http://www.bearcat1.com/item0020.htm

and another
http://www.ccrane.com/ccradio-plus-am-fm-radio.aspx

If you do a web search on 'antenna splitter am' a LOT of links will pop up and you will have hundreds of options there.
___
"Finch" wrote in message ...
A couple of weeks ago I posted here that I wanted to string a wire off
my automobile antenna to get SW reception on a trip I would be taking
soon. That idea was shot down by the good members of this NG. A
magnetic-base Rat Shack type was recommended so that's what I plan on doing.
The question is what type of antenna to get.
They all have coils, springs, lumpy things and other doo-dads
attached. For general SW reception, what type of antenna would be best
for me to get?
Cheap is good too.

Thanks in advance for your input.

Vic wrote:

Finch,

I installed an AM/FM-scanner SPLITTER in my truck. In other words, the AM/FM radio AND a scanner or SW or whatever receiver I'd like
can be run off the split from the vehicles antenna. Works good enough, there's no other extra antenna to fool with and you are
running stealth besides!


Hi Vic,
Thanks for the reply but that won't work. It's my wife's car and she
won't want me to muck with the wiring.

Finch wrote in message ...
A couple of weeks ago I posted here that I wanted to string a wire off
my automobile antenna to get SW reception on a trip I would be taking
soon. That idea was shot down by the good members of this NG. A
magnetic-base Rat Shack type was recommended so that's what I plan on doing.
The question is what type of antenna to get.
They all have coils, springs, lumpy things and other doo-dads
attached. For general SW reception, what type of antenna would be best
for me to get?
Cheap is good too.

Thanks in advance for your input.
.................................................. ...............................
Make sure the Radio Shack mag-mount does not have an imbedded CB coil
in it: just get a large (4"-5") magnetic base with a threaded top.
The best whip for your purposes is a Hustler thin stainless steel used
in the 5/8 antennas. You can get the whole outfit from AES or similar
mail-order. I am not sure the RS parts are exactly what you need as
the wind loading can pull the antenna off the roof if the whip is too
thick and the magnet is too weak. Passing semis can blow your antenna
off even if you are not speeding. (speaking from experience here).
...... have a good trip....ken..

ken wrote:
Make sure the Radio Shack mag-mount does not have an imbedded CB coil
in it:

A simple loading coil should have no noticeable effect below the
resonant band. A more complex matching network could be a problem.

-jpd

"John Doty" wrote in message
...
ken wrote:
Make sure the Radio Shack mag-mount does not have an imbedded CB coil
in it:

A simple loading coil should have no noticeable effect below the
resonant band. A more complex matching network could be a problem.


Ok, how about this, let me compromise.
My original idea was to take a bit of wire, attach it to the auto's external
antenna at the top
and fasten it with a wire tie. Run it down the length of the auto antenna
and secure it at
the base with another wire tie and run the free end in the window to connect
to the SWR.
It was said in this NG that this would produce too much electrical
interferance from the auto.

The next idea was to purchase a magnetically mounted antenna for the trip.
It was said in this NG that
due to too many electrical componants that it may not work well for SW
reception.
It may also get pulled off the auto by the wind generated by a large truck
or what have you.

Ok. New idea. Take the original thought. Fasten a length of wire to the
existing auto antenna at the top and
secure it with a wire tie. Run it down the antenna and secure it at the
base with another wire tie.
At this point cut it and solder on a coax with the antenna wire to the
center conductor of the coax. Solder another wire to the shield and run it
to ground. Run the coax in the window and connect to the short wave
receiver.

Well, what do you thing. Might work?

All comments welcome and thanks.

John Doty wrote:

ken wrote:
Make sure the Radio Shack mag-mount does not have an imbedded CB coil
in it:

A simple loading coil should have no noticeable effect below the
resonant band. A more complex matching network could be a problem.

-jpd

Wouldn't a long whip with no coil be better than a short one for the CB
band with a loading coil?


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"Finch" wrote in message ...
"John Doty" wrote in message
...
ken wrote:
Make sure the Radio Shack mag-mount does not have an imbedded CB coil
in it:

A simple loading coil should have no noticeable effect below the
resonant band. A more complex matching network could be a problem.


Ok, how about this, let me compromise.
My original idea was to take a bit of wire, attach it to the auto's external
antenna at the top
and fasten it with a wire tie. Run it down the length of the auto antenna
and secure it at
the base with another wire tie and run the free end in the window to connect
to the SWR.
It was said in this NG that this would produce too much electrical
interferance from the auto.

The next idea was to purchase a magnetically mounted antenna for the trip.
It was said in this NG that
due to too many electrical componants that it may not work well for SW
reception.
It may also get pulled off the auto by the wind generated by a large truck
or what have you.

Ok. New idea. Take the original thought. Fasten a length of wire to the
existing auto antenna at the top and
secure it with a wire tie. Run it down the antenna and secure it at the
base with another wire tie.
At this point cut it and solder on a coax with the antenna wire to the
center conductor of the coax. Solder another wire to the shield and run it
to ground. Run the coax in the window and connect to the short wave
receiver.

Well, what do you thing. Might work?

All comments welcome and thanks.

.................................................. ........................
It might work. Two factors are the amount of electrical noise
generated by your car and any loading effects caused by the connection
to your car radio. Time to experiment and see how it works: it is a
cheap fix if it works.

Yes it would. If it were me, I'd use a trunk or bumper mount for a 102"
CB whip. Its nothing more than a piece of wire and should work great.
"starman" wrote in message
...

Wouldn't a long whip with no coil be better than a short one for the CB
band with a loading coil?


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= = = "CW" no adddress@spam free.com wrote in message
= = = ...
Yes it would. If it were me, I'd use a trunk or bumper mount for a 102"
CB whip. Its nothing more than a piece of wire and should work great.
"starman" wrote in message
...

Wouldn't a long whip with no coil be better than a short one for the CB
band with a loading coil?


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CW, and STARMAN,

For a "Receive" ONLY Shortwave Antenna for a Car using a separate
Shortwave Radio. The 'basic' CB Whip Antenna mounted on the Rear
Bumper would be my choice too.

1. Provides a separate Antenna for the Shortwave Radio; and does
not mess with the car's standard AM/FM Radio and Antenna system.

2. Allows the use of standard 50 Ohm Coax for easy hook-up
and the coax shielding can aid in automotive noise reduction.

3. Noise Reduction 'filtering' may be required on the Power Inputs
of the Shortwave Radio.

4. A small Antenna Tuner / Pre-Selector like a MFJ-956 may help
tp improve signal levels.

NOTE: One problem may be that many new cars no longer have good old
Chrome Bumpers; being equiped with plastic/rubber covered 5 MPH bumbers.

iane ~ RHF
..