ARRLWeb: The HF Mobile Antenna
A collection of QST articles on building HF mobile antennas for vehicles and RVs.
Description
The ARRL page, titled "The HF Mobile Antenna," serves as a curated index to various QST articles focusing on constructing mobile HF antennas. It presents several projects for the mechanically inclined amateur, suggesting that homebrewed antennas can achieve efficiency comparable to commercial versions. For instance, one entry details a five-band antenna for RVs, utilizing a fold-over Hustler 4BTV, while another describes a "Bug Catcher" design for 80 through 10 meters.
Further projects include a budget-friendly $20 HF mobile antenna made from PVC and wire, covering 20 through 6 meters, and the "Alpha Special," a multiband horizontal antenna originally for 1960s station wagons, now suggested for mini-vans. The resource also addresses antenna mounting solutions specifically for travel trailers and campers, providing practical insights for those operating from recreational vehicles.
Rounding out the collection are the "Connecticut Longhorn," a 75-meter horizontal whip with remote tuning, and its redesign, the "Connecticut Shorthorn," adapted for smaller vehicles post-1970s. This compilation offers a historical perspective on mobile antenna innovation and practical construction guides for various HF bands and vehicle types.