Last weekend's test was canceled due to the nasty weather so I'm still in Rx mode only and trying to figure out what way to go in the antenna dept. I picked up an older used Icom 706 along with Hamsticks in 15m and 20m plus a long whip (10m?). I also was given a 2m mag mount whip that I stuck on the cowl in front of the windshield. Don't like that for 2 reasons: thin paint is already showing some rust stains under the mag mount and trees like slapping it into the glass. (Already had a "rock chip" fixed )

I'm a little disappointed to find out that I won't be able to do much with the HF until I upgrade to general and am thinking maybe the dual band Kenwood would have been a better radio (apparently the JK and HF freqs have compatibility issues with noise/interference).

Anyhow, the 706 has dual antenna feeds. From what others have posted it's not a good idea to have both a 2m and one of the HF antennas both mounted back by the spare (please correct me if I'm wrong on that). Can I "Y" into a single coax to the spare mount and just swap antennas as needed? Better yet is there a multi freq antenna that isn't too large for trail use?

The options are overwhelming and most of the old guys in my local club aren't Jeepers - they don't have to worry about trail issues with their antennas. You guys have already worked out these issues - what setup do you recommend?

 

Man, I had enough trouble just learning how to work an SWR meter. After reading your post, my head is ready to explode.

 

No CJK, you made the right move getting the 706. It's a fanmtastic radio, and you'll have great fun with it for sure. Give yourself some time. An btw....just a quick study and you'll be ready for your General.... you'll be WAAAAAY glad you did.

I think I read somewhere that sombody wasn't having any problems with the 2 antennas next to each other. Yes, they "may" interact but VHF and HF freqs. are pretty far from each other. If you go that route you'll just have to check swrs with them to see what is exactly going on.

And yes, you can clip the 102" stainless? whip and use it for 10m. That whip is just about the best mobile antenna you can use for CB or 10m.

In your case what I would do if you want to run one antenna, is to run a 2 position coax switch inline. You run the 2 coaxes from your 2 connectors on the 706 to the coax switch, and then one coax from the switch to the antenna. Then all you have to do is change over to whatever antenna you want and hit the coax switch.

As far as I know you should be able to get all the Ham Sticks you need for all the different freqs. Then you'll be set. THAT would be a great way to go for sure.

Good Luck..!!!

 

CJK

First off, keep studying for you General ticket, you will be glad you did. Since you are in Rx mode, listen this weekend on the HF bands. The international DX contest will have the airwaves full of signals from all over the world.

I have heard good things about the Icom 706. I too have a radio(Yaesu FT100) with dual antenna leads - HF/6M and VHF/UHF. AK4Dave's advice to use a coax switch is sound. My two antennas are probably too close together, but it is an exceptable compromise to me. And it works. In the past month, I have talked to Hams in 7 different states and 8 different Countries on the way home from work on 20M.

You mentioned the JK has noise issues on HF. This is not just a JK issue, all vehicles radiate noise. You will have to work on your installation to reduce the noise to acceptable levels. I take it as a challenge.

N4XGI

 

Thanks guys for the tips. I plan on upgrading to General asap. I flew for the Navy as a Flight Officer in S-3 Vikings and have plenty of military radio time. As for civilian HF, I was sitting in my driveway two saturdays back listening to a guy in western Montana, another in NH, ME, and Miami FL all clear as day on 15m. It'll be fun to see if I can reach out that far with the mobile unit but I'm sure those guys were working large base antennas. My 706 already has the MARS mod so I can also pick up CB freqs

 

Believe me, when the cycle gets to hoppin', you'll not only be talking stateside on your mobile, but all over the world with it. From here in AK. I've talked to mobile stations from all over the globe. If you don't plan on setting up a shack at your qth, then I encourage you to build as nice a mobile station as you can.

I don't know if you read it or not in another post, but I talked to my friend on 40m in Santa Barbara sitting in his van in his driveway using a HAM Stick antenna just like yours. Oh, and btw....Alaska is considered DX from the lower 48...!!!

 

Spent Saturday at an AKC Hunt Test listening to 20m and 40m. One was running a net out of Mexico City and the other was contesting out of AR but I was picking up all over the country with my 706 and a 20m hamstick (even on 40m). I was planning on picking up a 40m Hamstick but after watching the 20m antenna move around back there I'm thinking I may need to go with the larger NMO type mount.

Any suggestions before I start collecting sticks?