Who are you asking.....the OP...??? If so it's because he is a HAM radio operator and will be using it on the many HF HAM bands. I admit that multiband antennas are not the "best" way to go because off loss due to traps and such, but it will get him on the air on a wide variety of the HAM bands.

And as far as being HUGE....you should see the size of a lot of the screwdriver antennas that HAMs use on thier rigs.

 

With the auto tuner he plans on running, he should have a real nice set up...

 

I'm anxious to see this up and running and how well it works.

 

Finally got all the parts and installed it. Here is the write-up.



https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/show...50#post1865150

 

Well I was in a radio operator for the US Army and wanted my HF antenna to reflect the military root of our jeeps. No offense to anyone that has one but I am not a big fan of the look of tarheel antenna. Over kill? Yes, but it is what I wanted De Oppresso Liber!

 

Can't fault ya for that....

Oh........and just so you know...... can't get past the looks of the screwdriver antennas either..... In fact an engineer buddy of mine designed and built a sleek downed version of one that I've been trying to get off him for a few years now. I think that's the only way I'll put one on my rig....

 

I'm interested to hear what you did and how well it worked out. I run both a CB and a multi band amateur radio. I run the CB off of a 5/8 wave Fire Stick and the multi-band off of a screw driver type antenna with an automatic frequency turner. Out here in NORCAL we hit a lot of tree limbs on the trail, so even a 102" antenna is generally too long. I did consider the steel whip with tie down, but I didn't want to have to undo it to transmit (radiation pattern is severly restricted with a tied down antenna).

 

Only took me seven months but I finally installed my HF mobile rig. I went with an Alinco DX-70 and LDG Z100 auto-tuner. I'm getting a 1.2:1 SWR on 40m. Got the bar idea from one of the CBers on this forum.

Here is a video of the setup and radio inaction:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rcH9fN3T1U&feature=player_detailpage

 

Right on....ya done good...!!! You should have a blast on 40m with that thing.

I have to ask.....are you guying the whip off to the front with some monofilament fishing line or something when driving down the road? Years ago I used to use those big springs with plain old 102" whips, and I remember how far even they would swing back while moving. I can't imagine how far back that thing swings. What is your solution, or do you just let it swing...??? I would think a little fishing line would keep it stay more vertical to help with dx'ing as well.

 

I have been using a military tie-down bracket with 550 cord. It puts a lot of stress on the bottom element. The HF version of shakespeare antennas are not as flexible as their VHF ones you normally see on the HUMVEEs. I just finished fabbing a NVIS adapter that allows me to cant it at 90 degrees or lock vertical when stopped. As much as I like it I am considering switching out with the Hi-Q (screwdiver). The Marine Corp is using them with similar military spring mounts. My Army buddies will give me hell be it will still have the military look I was going for.