[TenTec] 160 M antenna

[John Farler]

Yes, I think the Webster Bandspanner was probably the
first manual commercial "sliding selection" type of antenna.
I think we are talking about the same antenna, but
maybe not.  The spanner was slim and had a white
coil, not transparent.

But Swan electronics made one, too, and the coil was
bigger, and looked pretty sturdy.  Had the bands marked
on the large coil.

A friend of mine had one with a Swan 350 in his car.

I had a Bandspanner in good condition but traded it
a couple years ago, after I decided no more HF mobile
might add longevity.

73.
John, K4AVX

> Message: 2
> Date: Sun, 24 Nov 2013 09:09:58 -0600
> From: "Bob McGraw - K4TAX"<RMcGraw at Blomand.net>
> To: "Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment"<tentec at contesting.com>
> Subject: Re: [TenTec] 160 M antenna
> Message-ID: <493C1163840146CC86EFA61E668D69E6 at FAMILY>
> Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
> 	reply-type=original
>
> The earliest version of the "screwdriver" antenna as I recall were actually
> manual tuned devices.  I recall them being sold under the name of Bandmaster
> or Super Bandmaster.  Basically described as a short mast, followed by a
> long coil with a sliding roller which shorted out the turns to change band.
> This coil as I recall was some 2" to 3" in diameter and some 18" in length.
> It was then attached to a 4 ft to 5 ft whip extending out the top.  Changing
> bands was a matter of sliding the rod with the roller attached up or down.
> The shaft of the roller assembly was marked generally in bands to aid in
> quick band changes.  Today's antenna simply adds a DC motor and controller
> to remotely change the tuning or bands.
>
> A friend had one mounted on the driver side rearview mirror frame attached
> to the door of his van.  He operated CW with a Galaxy V as I recall.  He
> would change tuning or change bands while driving.  Talk about "distracted
> driving"   Wow, that was way before the cell phone rage of today.
>
> 73
> Bob, K4TAX