Gerry:
I have used the TW1 in the motor home when trying to tune the screw-driver
manually, but it's a pain if needing to switch gands or frequencies quickly.
Regarding the screw-driver tuner from RF Parts, do you have more info on it,
such as name and model number?
Also, what is the web site for RF parts?
73 from Tom Behler: KB8TYJ
----- Original Message -----
From: "Gerry Leary" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Saturday, April 28, 2012 10:01 AM
Subject: Re: Easy to use and inexpensive antenna to use for HF in RV
> Hey Tom, My first thought is to use the TW1 in the motorhome. Also RF
> products makes a screwdriver tuner that is not a lot of money. I would
> also
> consider an outbacker.
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Tom Behler" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Friday, April 27, 2012 8:45 PM
> Subject: Easy to use and inexpensive antenna to use for HF in RV
>
>
>> Hello, all.
>>
>> It's been a very long story, but I need advice on a possible alternative
>> HF
>> antenna system to use when in my RV.
>>
>> Some of you may recall that for years, I used a Predator Screw-driver
>> antenna, and tuned it with something called a Turbo-tuner from N2VZ
>> Enterprises. The screw-driver, even with the turbotuner, was obviously a
>> compromise antenna system at best, but it did seem to work to some
>> degree.
>>
>> Anyway, since last June, I have been struggling with Bill Kantz from N2VZ
>> Enterprises, to get my Turbo-tuner unit serviced. The tuner had a bad
>> diode
>> in it, and Bill promised to fix it without charge, in honor of his
>> "lifetime
>> no matter what guarantee".
>>
>> After countless e-mails, phonecalls, and a certified letter, I am
>> beginning
>> to give up on ever getting my Turbo-tuner back. I can run the
>> screwdriver
>> up and down, using the manual control, but as you might expect, the
>> antenna
>> is very narrow, which makes quick and easy tuning of the antenna a
>> challenge
>> at best even with the auto-tuner in the TS480 that is in the motor home.
>>
>> In light of all this, I'm now looking at other possible alternate antenna
>> systems. I would like to be able to operate at least 40 through 10. The
>> lot size for the camp spot our RV occupies during the summers is very
>> small
>> (probably roughly 40 feet by 40 feet), so I don't think an Alpha Delta
>> DXCC
>> antenna will fit. I just don't have the lot width to accommodate an
>> 82-foot
>> long antenna. I suspect I could use a long wire, but then would need to
>> use
>> an outboard manual tuner and balun to properly tune it.
>>
>> So, my question is this: Do any of you have an idea as to what I might
>> try
>> to use in place of the screw-driver, just in case I never get my
>> Turbo-tuner
>> back? I'm looking for something that would be simple, cheap, and pretty
>> easy to deploy. I have heard of Yoyo antenna systems, Miracle whip
>> antennas, and others, but simply don't want to spend the money on
>> something
>> like this without knowing whether it will truly work for me.
>>
>> I know this will probably start a fire storm of discussion, so please
>> don't
>> bake it personally if I don't respond directly to each individual post.
>> I
>> assure you that I will read them all.
>>
>> Tom Behler: Kb8TYJ
>
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