[TowerTalk] Mobile antenna for SUV

[DrJCMonty]

Dear Roger,

With the greatest respect, I NEVER thought I would have the opportunity to
offer you advice.  I hope I am up to it.

I have a '06 Highlander (not hybrid) on which I have installed a Little
Tarheel II.  I have it in the center of the rear cross vehicle luggage rack
bar.  Using braided strap that bar is effectively (dc) electrically attached
to the roof.  I tried to find a way to lower the antenna by motor, but have
not succeeded yet, so I am careful in banks and other drive-trough's. I tune
it with an auto tuner - the N2VZ turbo tuner, attached to an IC-7000.  With
the exception of occasionally choosing the wrong direction to begin to tune,
I think it all works fine together. 80M is inconsistently tuned, but 40, and
even 60M work fine.  It is NOT home antenna quality, but it is significantly
better than a dummy load.  I talked to Italy on the way to work last fall, a
chicken farmer in Tierra del Fuego at dinner time this past winter, and the
US Southwest is never any trouble at lunchtime.  Others may smirk, but this
is still exciting to me.

I would be happy to provide details if you like.

Jim Montgomery
AG4KM Memphis

-----Original Message-----
From: K8RI [mailto:K8RI-on-TowerTalk at tm.net] 
Sent: Sunday, 25 March, 2007 02:03
To: TOWERTALK at contesting.com
Subject: [TowerTalk] Mobile antenna for SUV

I've been considering running mobile for the first time since 1963.
Both Rigs and cars have changed a lot since then and not just in price.

I have a Toyota 4-Runner and am considering using a Yaesu FT897D which I've 
been using in the shop.
Thing is, I don't know what to do about an HF antenna.  I'd like to run 75 
through 6 meters, but would settle for just a couple of the bands such as 
40, 20, and 15 although I'd like to keep 75.
Where do I mount the thing?  If on the back the rear of the SUV is nearly 
vertical would present quite a obstacle to the radiation from an antenna 
that already approximates a leaky dummy load.
I do have to eventually put the thing inside, but at least I have an 11 foot

tall door on the shop.

Unlike the motor home I'd be using this under motion.

Any suggestions as to a good mobile antenna I could try?

Roger Halstead (K8RI and ARRL 40 year Life Member)
N833R - World's oldest Debonair CD-2
www.rogerhalstead.com