Surprised….pleasantly

I have used many different mobile antennas over the years, Hustler, TarHeel, Larry’s and have had varying success. When I decided to get back into HF mobile, I was looking for something that would cover most bands without switching coils, leader wire and though I loved my Larry’s Antenna Little Shorty I wanted something a little smaller and less obtrusive. I use an Alpha Jr for my portable operations so thought I would try this mobile antenna.

I’ve had the antenna installed on the trunk of my car using a Comet 850 mount with a ground strap to the body. I’m currently running a TS-480SAT and have been pleasantly surprised at the results. While traveling around the local area I have been able to work into the southern US, Caribbean, Portugal, Austria, Ukraine and a few others on 20 meters, Norway on 17M all with decent signal reports. It hears quite well as I heard VK2AS on 40 the other morning. Wasn’t able to work him though I did give a couple of calls just to see.

It doesn’t compare to my base station antennas, but I didn’t expect it to. As everyone else seems to state – it works.

The SWR is always low using the internal tuner on the TS-480SAT. It even manages a match on 160 and 80, though I doubt I would be heard more than 10 feet away.

The whip does move around a lot, and I have to be very careful when opening the trunk so as not to scratch up the car as the whip flops about.

Would I buy it again? Simple answer – yes.

73

VE9GC

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