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Cheap HF Ham Radio Mobile Antennas

November 6, 2009


 

One of the neat things about ham radio is that there are a lot of different frequencies and modes of operation (AM, FM, Single-side-band, digital, etc.) than a person can try out.  Like anything we do a lot of, even ham radio can get a bit old after a while.  Same old same old…  I recently took the initiative to put some “spark” (pardon the pun) into my ham radio hobby.

My lovely wife, Jane (kd8krs) and I went to the Appleton, WI’s ham radio fest last weekend.  Really we just intended to take a quick walk through and see what was there.  On the way through I got to meet a few old friends which was cool.  One thing caught my eye.  “ham sticks”.  Those are cheap (and I really mean cheap – not inexpensive) ham radio antennas meant to be used on one specific frequency.  I think I paid about $14 for a 20 meter antenna.  My wife’s screwdriver antenna was more like $300 or so.  I also bought a mount for I think around $18.  So for about $32 I would be on the air on a specific frequency!

The ham stick is just that.  It is literally a hollow fiberglass road.  Around the outside is wound some thick wire.  A coil is formed near the top of it.  It has a bolt at the bottom and is threaded at the top.  The metal whip of about three feet slips through two set screws and protrudes down inside the hollow fiberglass “stick”.  The set screws are used to adjust the antenna to the resonant frequency for lowest possible SWR.  I got mine down around 1.6 across the entire 20 meter voice portion of the band.

I mean the antenna is “cheap” not only because it is inexpensive.  That is a virtue in an expensive hobby during a deep recession.  I also mean “cheap” because of the sturdiness of construction – or lack there of.  For example, there is no water seal at the top of the hollow fiberglass rod.  I wonder what happens when it fills with rain water that later freezes in winter?  I mean “cheap” because the antenna did not even include a lock washer to help hold the antenna on the mount through highway vibrations.

So for someone that requires THE best HF ham radio mobile antenna, the “ham stick” type is probably not for you.  BUT – for the person that wants to try out this frequency or that frequency  without spending an arm and a leg to do it – it’s just the ticket!

My first contact with the new antenna?  Holland – and I don’t mean the one in Michigan – on 100 watts mobile from the parking lot at work!  I was quite pleased.

I likely will buy a few more ham stick type antennas in the future to try out before investing more substantial dollars in more substantial equipment.  One neat thing about ham sticks is that you can buy a mount to turn two of them into a neat dipole!  We may give that a try later this winter.  If interested, google the words “ham stick antenna” and see what you find.  I believe “Ham Stick” is one brand of the type.  There are multiple companies that make them however.

Stay radio active!

Jon Kreski, AB9NN

http://www.HamRadioResources.com

http://www.Twitter.com/AB9NN

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