Anybody using a Shakespeare marine HF antenna?

[K3NOQ/Mobile]

Have not been too happy with the screwdriver on the MH, 35' Class A Winney.

Has anyone tried one of the Shakespeare HF marine antennas on their rig? I have a AH4 Tuner and would probably do a tiltover mount on the top of the ladder. My concern is how is the antenna fed, ad mentions tuning band (?) that is on the side of the lower fiberglass stick.

Any Comments??? Tnx./ John K3NOQ/5

[One Country Boy]

Wish that I could help you, but never used a marine HF antenna. Good luck with it.

Jim

[Andy N1ORK]

My goodness, you've changed! Ok Jim, that is one scary Avatar!!

[One Country Boy]

Originally Posted by Andy N1ORK

My goodness, you've changed! Ok Jim, that is one scary Avatar!!

Halloween Andy !!

[jagco]

Originally Posted by One Country Boy

Halloween Andy !!

Let's hope it's not permanent

[Andy N1ORK]

That's gonna be tough to beat next year! Arrgh Matey!

[dirtrod]

About a decade ago I used one of their HF 21ft (I think) models tuned with the AH4. I used it on 40 – 10 with good results, it would have probably tuned 75 but I never tried.
This was on a boat and I used what’s called a Dyna Plate along with prop shafts and rudders as the ground. As I remember it was not an inexpensive antenna.

[dirtrod]

About a decade ago I used one of their HF 21ft (I think) models tuned with the AH4. I used it on 40 – 10 with good results, it would have probably tuned 75 but I never tried.
This was on a boat and I used what’s called a Dyna Plate along with prop shafts and rudders as the ground. As I remember it was not an inexpensive antenna.

[TOMWN]

John, I'm wondering if you tried the marine antenna? I have considered it but can't find any new comments on how one performed. When in a campsite that offers trees I use a long wire butthat not always possible. Tom WD8CSL/mobile/fulltimer

[wa8yxm]

Priced 'em once.. Changed underwear and decided on something else

What do I use.. Well.. Mobile 2mtr/70cm FM

Parked, 100' of stranded coppyer wire, about 25 feet of nylon rope. About 2 pounds of Concrete (Think a "Crystal Light" Cylinder (The kind the tubs of drink mix come in) filled with concrete, An Eye bolt and a nut) and a KAT-1 Tuner

Seems to get good signal reports.

[Bob W4RAA]

Have you tried the YAESU ATAS 120, it is much easier to setup and has a lower profile than the Screwdriver. I run one on my Class C and it works really well, You just have to have a GOOD GROUND with the ATAS.

Bob

[K3NOQ/Mobile]

No, have not tried the Marine Antenna yet. Unfortunately some of the replys here on the forum drifted off topic and I haven't followed up here. Been looking at other sites for a while. I remain concerned about finding/fabricating a swing down mount. Have seen a couple from a distance. I did meet one om from K6 that had a FB system on a 5th wheel with custom made fold down mount from a now non-existant shop in California. My 35' winny has a fiberglass roof so I need to feel comfy about the counterpoise. Some comments on the Marine antenna says they need extensive counterpoise, some do not. Shakespeare website was not clear on the subject. I have an AH-4, Would be nice if anyone at Q this year would post some fotos of HF mounts seen at the Q'fest. // John

[wa8yxm]

Originally Posted by TOMWN

John, I'm wondering if you tried the marine antenna? I have considered it but can't find any new comments on how one performed. When in a campsite that offers trees I use a long wire butthat not always possible. Tom WD8CSL/mobile/fulltimer

No never tried a Marine antenna.

If I'm in a CG with no trees.. Let me describe some of my alternatives

On the driver's side of the motor home the roof has a single luggage rail (Also called "Goat Rail") I've not yet gotten around to installing the passanger side

The driver's side rails is black, Painted 1/2" copper tub, over 30 feet with a #10 Stranded wire running down inside the false rear cap to the KAT-1 Tuner. Works well on 20, fair on 40 not so good on 10.

The other rail will be 1/2 inch painted PVC... It will contain a 10/15/20 Dipole when it's finished (and possible 6 as well) What's called a "Fan Dipole")

When I had Blue-OX replace my drop receiver adapter to match up with the towed when the MH is loaded... I had 'em weld a "Tong" on it that would accept a ball hitch.

This ball hitch "tong" has not a ball hitck but a Draw-Tite bike rack bolted to it.

There is a Husteler 4BTV base U-Bolted to the upright in front of the bike.

The rest of the 4btv sits in a basement compartment normally but it's a matter of like 3 or 4 pipe clamps to assemble it and drop it over the base section. The KAT-1 can feed it so precise matching is not as important as one might think (I know Husteler says don't use a tuner with it but the KAT is a marine tuner and is mounted right next to that antenna base, NO COAX between them.

That will go all the way down to 80, but of course works better on the higher bands as well (It's only a 40 meter antenna)

[Bob W4RAA]

Originally Posted by K3NOQ/Mobile

No, have not tried the Marine Antenna yet. Unfortunately some of the replys here on the forum drifted off topic and I haven't followed up here. Been looking at other sites for a while. I remain concerned about finding/fabricating a swing down mount. Have seen a couple from a distance. I did meet one om from K6 that had a FB system on a 5th wheel with custom made fold down mount from a now non-existant shop in California. My 35' winny has a fiberglass roof so I need to feel comfy about the counterpoise. Some comments on the Marine antenna says they need extensive counterpoise, some do not. Shakespeare website was not clear on the subject. I have an AH-4, Would be nice if anyone at Q this year would post some fotos of HF mounts seen at the Q'fest. // John

You can find a "Manual" Swing down mount as well as a "Motorized: swing down mounting bracket at AES, I use the Motorized mount with my ATAS 120 simple to install and all i do is press a button and the antenna goes from horizontal to vertical in less then 30 seconds. With the ATAS 120 you will NOT need a counterpoise if you mount it on the rear ladder and attach a ground from it to the bumper or frame.

[WD8QBQ]

John, here is a link to a few tilt and swing mounts. Hope it helps.
http://www.tarheelantennas.com/mounts