I never was able to get into Ham radio, but from what I have heard just listening, the Ham world seems to be made up of decent, helpful, honest, and friendly people much more than most.
Quick question....did YT reccomended this video? Also ham is filled with a lot helpful and good people(there are some ass clowns as well..few and far between) Cool thing about ham these is with the digital modes that are very popular its cheap to get into and talk around the country and world. Digitsl is a good entry into ham in my opinion.
My best mobile HF was West London UK to another mobile operator in Stuttgart Germany. I couldn't believe I was talking to the guy car-to-car 500 miles apart. My setup was FT450D to a tuned whip on a mag-mount. Great contact. 73. [edit] It was on the 20mtr band.
I have been a ham for decades. I had a mag mount Outbacker mobile antenna for years. I worked a friend in West Africa once with my 100 watt mobile rig once. He was 20 over 9. It didn’t hurt that we had put a yagi antenna on the ship before he sailed for West Africa though and had put a linear on the ship as well. I worked Lauro in Italy many times several years ago. It’s good to know he’s still around. 73 and 99 de AA5ID
You are so right Eric! Somebody has to push the button first in order to make contacts. I hear all kinds of activities so the bands are definitely not dead. Keep up the great work and keep spreading the word. 73
Lot's of contacts, this is the Best!! One couldn't ask for better mobile performance, very encouraging. I have this radio still in the box (just lazy), gonna get the Tarheel II and have some fun. I drive from FL to the Northern States every year for the Summer and would have a blast with this set-up. Thanks again for your video's which are always clear and to-the-point. "Succinct" is good.
I miss having HF in the vehicle. When I had my van I had my 867 with a home made screw driver antenna. Still kicking my ass for selling that antenna. I could turn out of my driveway go a few hundred yards and what a diff! I got South Korea during the Olympics from the van. Could not even hear him in the house!
I been a Ham since 1975. Started out as a novice WN0SIY. Then went to federal building and took Test for General class which at the time you had to pass a 13wpm. Morse code test. Morse code is what I enjoyed the most. Most ham operators I talked to during field day didn't care for Morse code. I presently operate 2 meters and 10 meters. I had a Drake TR-3 which I wish I never would of sold . 73's WB0SIY
Great video Eric! This inspired me to get my X108G back out and try to get on HF again. Never had been able to get it to work with the MFJ-1899T before but wanted to try again. Set it all up and tuned the antenna flat on 20M and picked up a contester in Hawaii from Northern California. I answered his CQ with 20 watts and he called back! Made my first HF contact ever while the bands are dead. Thanks for the inspiration Eric! 73 from KK6NQW.
Hey, welcome to my setup. I've been loving the 7100 and the Tarheel since 2017. I even linked a photo to my Corolla with the setup in the last video you made. I can DX as far as Europe! I love this setup! Are you using the 70 inch whip? Get the longer whip if you haven't already. Finally, if you use the MFJ 13 foot telescopic whip with the coil from your Tarheel, you can even do top band (while stationary). Enjoy.
IK4GRO! I talked to that guy from my home shack before. Keep making videos man, you inform and entertain and make the hobby even more enjoyable for us all. Such a great point, you can spend all day reading about poor solar conditions, or turn on the radio and call CQ. I’m still making contacts on 20 and 40 from my Cushcraft vertical set up on the ground. 73 amigo! from Boston - KC1ANR
Jeez, Eric, that's amazing! Especially from a mobile rig. I must admit, even though I'm not one of these "the bands are dead" guys, I'm still amazed at what you've accomplished here. I'd been thinking for a while about setting up a mobile rig but decided not to some time ago. I may need to rethink that! Thanks again, buddy, this is an awesome kick in the arse! :-)
I first got Into Ham Radio at the end of the last cycle where 10 meters was wide open. I am just getting back into the hobby and am really heartened to hear your videos! 73 KG5MG
Fantastic demonstration of the Tarheel antenna. Working mobile offers a lot of opportunties for those who don't have much free time because of work schedules or other challenges. Clearly that antenna really works. Thanks much for the video.
I remember in a earlier video about someone mentioning "inefficient". Eric: "watch me work stations on mobile" This is exciting. Hopefully I'll get to talk to you when I upgrade my license to general in December. As always, I enjoy all these rad videos of yours. WX7UTE :)
@Land and Lore Photograph Off Road Adventures Don't get me wrong :) But as hams, we make things that don't work, work. You are right with noise levels especially in a more populated area with noise and interference, but anything is possible!
Eric, this is the true HAM spirit. Just go on like this my friend :) Oh, one more thing: those who say bands are dead, pse stop and sell your equipment, you're NOT HAMs and you've wasted lots of money on your rigs. 73, de ha7wx Chris
Eric, another great video. I agree with you. The only time the bands are dead are when you don't get on. Up to this point, the only time I am on hf is when I am in my vehicle. I run a ft 857D with a ATAS 120. I have talked all over the world with that set up. I mostly rum QRP, however on occasion I will go high power at 100W. 😂😂 My only problem is I had to get a new vehicle and gue to physical challenges have been unable to install power and antenna lines. Keep up the great work.
I am not a ham but I do work the c.b. from north texas and it is far from dead. I love the challenge of perfecting the mobil install. The fact you are rocking a mobil makes me want to get my license. Thankyou for the good videos.
Thanks for putting these videos up to reinforce the fact that the bands are dead. Love the results you are getting with that new mobile setup. Good job! W6TUS 73
@w4csc I'm not sure if you're being condescending and just saying "That's no big deal." ,or what. Those of us with less time on the band depend on you Extras to help us validate our thoughts, but I'm just confused.
I carry a Elad FDM Duo in the semi on a short 20m hamstick. At 8w, I have been checking into the SATERN net from Nebraska, and occasionally can get into the Maritime Mobile Net from western NE/CO. 20m has been a rollercoaster in signal strength, just have to ride the waves! Good job on the mobile work!
The bands have been crappy lately but we do get some decent propagation on 20 and 40 meters. I have a decent station at home but have been operating HF mobile with an IC-7000 and a Tarheel 75A antenna. The Tarheel is an excellent mobile antenna. It's been on my vehicle for over 10 years with zero problems. Tarheel is center loaded for better efficiency. I've never needed any controllers for it. Just use the factory supplied UP/Down button and it literally takes several seconds to change bands. When changing bands, I move the coil up (or down) until the "hash" noise (heard on HF SSB) level is at maximum. It always brings SWR very close to 1:1. It's an excellent antenna. I've worked lots of DX with it. Generally, if I can hear them, they can hear me. Eric, a bit of advice, if you don't mind. Install an antenna rated, tension relief spring between the top of the coil and the whip. It will protect your antenna from damage if you accidentally drive into a garage or drive under low tree branches. It saved my antenna from damage numerous times. The spring won't affect antenna's performance but you'll need to recalibrate the antenna controller, if you use one. Don't buy a cheap spring as it will lack an internal conductor (to cancel any inductance in the spring). HRO sells a proper, antenna rated spring for around $22. Also, try using the antenna on 80 meters with a long wire, instead of the whip (when parked, obviously). Connect one end of the wire to the top of the coil and throw the other end into a nearby tree. My Tarheel 75A will tune on 80m with the whip but the wire makes it a bit more efficient since is requires less inductance in the coil to load it on 80 meters. Same thing can be done on 160 meters but with a much longer wire or an additional coil in series with the antenna's coil.
Finally! I have been telling hams the same thing. The bands are not dead. No need for FT8. Just get on the air and make some contacts, some new friends. I still make contacts even though I have to operate using my Tarheel 100A from inside my bedroom. I don’t make every contact I hear, but I do contact most of what I hear. Hope to contact you soon on HF.
I run a Yaseu FT100D with an Atas 120a antenna and have worked around 100 countries over the years. Think the best was VK land on the long path. I use it mainly when I'm out on the road towing a RV. As you said the bands are never really dead all you need is to call CQ.
Eric i was soooo glad to see this video proving the bands are NOT dead, I've talked to dozens of hams that swear by the solar data that they're too dead to talk anywhere so i feel your pain. I run a Yaesu ft-891 with a WRC SOTA Special antenna and like you I've talked all over the world with little effort, I've had DX from Italy, Denmark, Germany, Austria and UK just to name a few all from dead ham Ohio. Keep up the good work and great videos 73 de W8MJL
Cycle 25 is on the upswing. We pretty much bottomed out earlier this year. 80 meters has been doing weird fade outs in the early evenings but it comes back after an hour or so. The band has been long at night so working DX even on 80 is easy this time of year. No static crashes to deal with like summer.
“The bands are dead.” I’ve been participating in the November sweeps for the first time and it’s been awesome. On 40 meters tonight I could not find a frequency where people weren’t right on top of each other. My Bandscope was almost solid color.
Nice to be in Florida for DX. Man, you’ve got a shot to Africa, South America, the Caribbean, Canada and Europe. Very good spot to be for sure Eric. Well done pal.
When you posted this video I was in the process of installing my mobile HF station. Fast forward to now and I've been operating mobile HF for 6 months and it has been tons of fun. My most surprising contact has been JK1BQS 40 meters early morning driving across Lake Jessup I couldn't believe he heard me and still can't HAHA. I've had many compliments on my mobile station and regularly make 800 to 2K mile contacts. I have a ICOM 706 MKIIG and a Little Tarheel 2. Nothing bonded. Thanks for the videos hope to see you again this year at Orlando Hamcation. 73 KK4VRP
It is fun to log the TH-cam ham channels, I have Eric a couple times from eastern Washington! Thank you Eric for all you do, K7DFL. “The bands are dead”. Lol
Running HF Mobile is my favorite way to operate. I will be putting mine back in my truck. Great set up you have! Funny how the bands are dead....EXCEPT.... during contests..... I guess there is a switch somewhere that turns the bands on at the beginning and off at the end of the contest.
I just installed my Icom 7100 in my Tucson over the weekend and should have HF going in the next few days. I've been a ham for 37 years and never had HF mobile, and I always wanted to work CW, so this will be a reality very soon! 73 de KN3A.
Eric nice to hear you chatting with the voice of the caribbean. He is a two radio tech same as you. He works on Motorola equipment. He comes in good up North here. Your right on on of my favorite frequencies, If you stay on their long enough you may chat with those pirates over in the UK. The boys from the offshore commercial broadcast stations the Tymes Amatuer Radio group. Have fun up on those towers. 14.250 -around 14.300 that's where I am usually.
"The bands are Dead" issue is misleading . 20M is generally good all the time through even the lowest sunspot cycle but is excellent day and night when we are at peak , I doubt many HAMs believe 20M is ever "dead" however everything above that have been dead (unless you are running 1KW ) . 17M has shown life in the past month , the next band to come back to life is 15 followed by 10M in the next 3 years . Using 40M as your example is silly because 40 & 80 are not effected by the solar cycle . You want to see some real action , go back to 2012 , I was working Japan , Australia , Alaska and the world with ease from the mobile every day .
Its December 2022 . I use a Hustler system , 100 watts , finely tuned , 100 countries .... When some HAMs don't , cant or won't listen to advice they start saying the "bands are dead" . They think a tuner makes their 8 ft incorrectly configured antenna efficient , one wonders how they ever passed their exam .
I worked Australia on 40M mobile one morning. I didn't think I would be able to do it, but if the conditions are right, anything is possible! FT-857d & an ATAS-120.
Winston Smith I don’t think it’snecessarily better than a base station. It all depends what you have in the car or at the home. I guessing he made more contacts because he’s probably in front of the radio more in the vehicle than he is at home just my theory. 73.
jfranke3 good point .... plus you can get away from noise sources to improve receive and use hilltops with good take off or next to the sea to really benefit the TX.
That antenna is real nice . Eric you got it happening in FL.. Even on your 27.385 on 11m". Dead hjere Pittsburgh PA really be nice here propagation on 10 12 15 again in late afternoons its all wimpy Mobil signals. Thanks for the great videos .
This was why I failed the technician exam and now that I did pass and got my callsign I been studying for the general exam like crazy, because I wanted to get into this hobby to play with HF specifically and make calls everywhere. 73, KQ4HCU
Would like to see a live video . As a Ham I like to see the s-meter live not pictures. Nice contacts! Been active in the mobile for years. Lucky here, I have the ocean . Parking on the water is a great advantage. Thanks for the vid.
Eric, you're a star. When people get the idea that laziness and apathy is killing our hobby the better we all will be, As you say.... "The bands are dead" You couldn't prove the trolls any more wrong Licensed 40 years now, had soo much fun over the years Keep the faith Brother Pete VK3TQ / VK2LD
Eric you are inspiring me to try agin on getting upgraded to be a General ham operator. I'm also in process of helping one of my friend on becoming a a new ham. Just the other day he went with me to get a used tower mast for a quad band base radio set up. I'm also going to set up 11m (or CB ) on the tower as well. So I can talk to him at his house while I'm helping him study for his exam. Christopher Johnston from Pennsylvania KC3HBS
I am in the process hooking my IC-7000 in the 18 wheeler with the Little Tarheel antenna controlled with a Turbo Tuner on the antenna. Trying to find a faceplate sep kit to make things a bit nicer so I will mount it up high with the CB. 73 de KC8VJD
Eric, I hear many hams bleeting "The bands are dead" comment all the time in the UK. Ther olny good thing out of this, is, while there sat in the house, watching crap on the TV with the XYL, i'm out in the shack playing HF. The bands are not dead, as you say. the "bands are dead" comment has passed about as much as "it's not read radio"comment. I'm starting to think hams are more like sheep, than sheep. I'm going to start a stupid comment of some description, just to see how long it takes, to travel the world. 73's eric
I have a IC7000 and a Tarheel II just like you. It is absolutely brilliant. I work DX driving to work each day. The bands are not dead - just call CQ and some one will talk to you!
I love your videos and have learned from them, especially the "bands are dead" series. Sometimes common sense just has to outweigh everything else. If you're talking, someone is likely listening. 73, and keep it up!!! - KCØJH
Hi Eric, completely agree, been running a HF Mobile for the past couple of years (Yaesu 857d and ATAS) DX you name it some days better than others. Continue the Vid's. 73 de W8RLP Roger
Hi how's it going love the channel. I'm new to ham radios trying to learn and understand as much as I can before studing to get license. I'm very familiar with children radios and electronics , but ham is a totally different story. Especially with no help in understanding it so I'm on my own trying as I can.
@hamradioconcepts can you do a long term review of the 7100? Comparing the hf side of the 7100 vs the 891. Obviously the addition of the vhf/uhf side adds more to the 7100. But specifically on the hf side, any comments?
Erick: something that I think you need to understand is that living at the south eastern tip of North America,, and at the latitude that you do, band conditions are often far better than they are in the more northerly latitudes, especially on 20 and 17 meters. I live in VE6 land, but I have operated HF on the east coast of the US around NJ/NY and I can tell you that the band conditions are far far better for the most part than at home. Unless we get a path over the pole, Europe is not an everyday occurrence. We get the odd South American DX and sometimes a bit of Australia and NZ, but rarely even when the bands are very good. Given the fact that there are far far fewer hams in Canada than in the US, regional and short hop contacts are also rare simply due to the lack of operators within the range of the band. I noticed from this video that you are making an awful lot of east coast and near midwest contacts, and pretty much no west coast or western Canadian contacts. Living east of the Rockies and near the ocean gives you a really big advantage on HF to other parts of the world, as well as access to the largest numbers of hams in North America. So before you really slam people who are saying the bands are dead, understand that for some of us, the bands really are dead due to our location in the world and no amount of turning the radio on, calling CQ or quantity of metal up in the air is going to change that fact. I think you would be the first to recognize that band conditions are very much dependent upon geographical location. Living in Florida you really have golden conditions most of the time. Living in Alberta, we rarely have golden conditions even during the height of the sunspot cycles.
that's good video Eric. The old saying is you can spend a dollar on the radio but you need to spend $200 on a good antenna and that's a good antenna alright 73
Eric, I still run HF Mobile for years with FT-857 and ATAS-120A and still going strong on the HF bands but mostly only 20M lately. I don’t have the same instant result on 40m as I do with 20m and above. Look in your log compare 20m versus 40m I’m curious to see what the ratio of contacts on each band are Mobile only?
I'm a tech (2 m and 70 cm). I have one spot I can hit the repeater from my house, using a j-pole. I disassembled the antenna to prepare to move (hasn't happened yet), so now I can't communicate with Burning River club on my moble. One square foot area for all my antennas (indoors). All the rest of my apartment is dead zones across all bands. Outside antennas are prohibited.
Hi guys. While I had A92GL, I was barely active, went to a few of the club meetings. I was just married with a baby daughter, my wife and I were both in the Navy and very busy. Would love to go back some day and operate there.
@@herrwabbaloo937 Hi Tom here A92GW, well Bahrain has changed so much since 2000. I first lived in Bahrain since Dec 2005. The Club broke up a few years ago, but getting Lic is still very easy, friendly. I operate HF portable and Mobile most of the time, when able. Its a very small community of Lic Operators here now. But When I get on, I for sure get contacts, Bahrain, Mobile HF, great, in the past year, my best contacts were Swaziland, Austrailia, New Zealand, Bonair, Japan of course Europe and Russia, Ukraine is Easy Peasy. If all else fails, you can always find an Italian Station. I do get into east coast n central USA from time to time, again, Mobile HF, sitting by the sea is the key, can be on 20 or 40. Anyway Gents cheers n thx for the message 73s tom
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I never was able to get into Ham radio, but from what I have heard just listening, the Ham world seems to be made up of decent, helpful, honest, and friendly people much more than most.
....and, while there are always exceptions, with hams it has pretty much always been that way!! :-)
so many hams are willing to help and share what they have learned its a great Hobby
Quick question....did YT reccomended this video? Also ham is filled with a lot helpful and good people(there are some ass clowns as well..few and far between) Cool thing about ham these is with the digital modes that are very popular its cheap to get into and talk around the country and world. Digitsl is a good entry into ham in my opinion.
"I never was able to get into Ham radio" ... let me tell you something , is not not to late yet
This is definitely true. By and large, a very good community.
My best mobile HF was West London UK to another mobile operator in Stuttgart Germany. I couldn't believe I was talking to the guy car-to-car 500 miles apart. My setup was FT450D to a tuned whip on a mag-mount. Great contact. 73.
[edit]
It was on the 20mtr band.
The van is a good ground plane. Mobiles are vertical which are easy to work also using home QTH verticals. The bands are not dead.
I have been a ham for decades. I had a mag mount Outbacker mobile antenna for years. I worked a friend in West Africa once with my 100 watt mobile rig once. He was 20 over 9. It didn’t hurt that we had put a yagi antenna on the ship before he sailed for West Africa though and had put a linear on the ship as well. I worked Lauro in Italy many times several years ago. It’s good to know he’s still around. 73 and 99 de AA5ID
Your mobile is super 5X5... wow this is so cool... the memories of my Uncles house with his HAM... 40+ years ago...God Bless you all...
You should run a live stream some morning, while DXing..
Twitch would be perfect for this.
Nah, that would mean hearing nothing but static because the bands are dead and there's no propogation. LMAO
That's not a bad idea. For we hams with no Elmer's physically at the ready, that kind of example might help a.good amount of hams.
You are so right Eric! Somebody has to push the button first in order to make contacts. I hear all kinds of activities so the bands are definitely not dead. Keep up the great work and keep spreading the word. 73
If the military can do it on their vehicles you know it's a viable way to communicate!
Lot's of contacts, this is the Best!! One couldn't ask for better mobile performance, very encouraging. I have this radio still in the box (just lazy), gonna get the Tarheel II and have some fun. I drive from FL to the Northern States every year for the Summer and would have a blast with this set-up. Thanks again for your video's which are always clear and to-the-point. "Succinct" is good.
I miss having HF in the vehicle. When I had my van I had my 867 with a home made screw driver antenna. Still kicking my ass for selling that antenna. I could turn out of my driveway go a few hundred yards and what a diff! I got South Korea during the Olympics from the van. Could not even hear him in the house!
I been a Ham since 1975. Started out as a novice WN0SIY. Then went to federal building and took Test for General class which at the time you had to pass a 13wpm. Morse code test. Morse code is what I enjoyed the most. Most ham operators I talked to during field day didn't care for Morse code. I presently operate 2 meters and 10 meters. I had a Drake TR-3 which I wish I never would of sold . 73's WB0SIY
Great video Eric! This inspired me to get my X108G back out and try to get on HF again. Never had been able to get it to work with the MFJ-1899T before but wanted to try again. Set it all up and tuned the antenna flat on 20M and picked up a contester in Hawaii from Northern California. I answered his CQ with 20 watts and he called back! Made my first HF contact ever while the bands are dead. Thanks for the inspiration Eric! 73 from KK6NQW.
That first one is great guy, had a couple of rag chews with him in the mornings from the UK, was also the first contact I got when using 20 meters
Hey, welcome to my setup. I've been loving the 7100 and the Tarheel since 2017. I even linked a photo to my Corolla with the setup in the last video you made. I can DX as far as Europe! I love this setup! Are you using the 70 inch whip? Get the longer whip if you haven't already. Finally, if you use the MFJ 13 foot telescopic whip with the coil from your Tarheel, you can even do top band (while stationary). Enjoy.
IK4GRO! I talked to that guy from my home shack before. Keep making videos man, you inform and entertain and make the hobby even more enjoyable for us all. Such a great point, you can spend all day reading about poor solar conditions, or turn on the radio and call CQ. I’m still making contacts on 20 and 40 from my Cushcraft vertical set up on the ground. 73 amigo! from Boston - KC1ANR
Jeez, Eric, that's amazing! Especially from a mobile rig. I must admit, even though I'm not one of these "the bands are dead" guys, I'm still amazed at what you've accomplished here. I'd been thinking for a while about setting up a mobile rig but decided not to some time ago. I may need to rethink that! Thanks again, buddy, this is an awesome kick in the arse! :-)
I first got Into Ham Radio at the end of the last cycle where 10 meters was wide open. I am just getting back into the hobby and am really heartened to hear your videos!
73
KG5MG
when is 10 m going to open back up?
Fantastic demonstration of the Tarheel antenna. Working mobile offers a lot of opportunties for those who don't have much free time because of work schedules or other challenges. Clearly that antenna really works. Thanks much for the video.
I remember in a earlier video about someone mentioning "inefficient".
Eric: "watch me work stations on mobile"
This is exciting. Hopefully I'll get to talk to you when I upgrade my license to general in December. As always, I enjoy all these rad videos of yours. WX7UTE :)
Astolfo OwO
@@williamlimyx shhhhhh ;)
@Land and Lore Photograph Off Road Adventures Don't get me wrong :) But as hams, we make things that don't work, work. You are right with noise levels especially in a more populated area with noise and interference, but anything is possible!
Eric, this is the true HAM spirit.
Just go on like this my friend :)
Oh, one more thing: those who say bands are dead, pse stop and sell your equipment, you're NOT HAMs and you've wasted lots of money on your rigs.
73, de ha7wx Chris
Yes I agree I'm having fun working portable, have plenty of videos on my channel, lots of fun to be had on the radio Eric.
Awesome video this is proof the bands aren't dead
The bands are never dead IMO if we were to stop just listening for stations and be that station calling cq the dead band would come alive.
I do alot of listening on the hf ham and shortwave bands there is alot of activity
That is some serious contact work...nice. I assume you are 100 watts only. Thanks for sharing...Vic
Just 100 watts
LAURO... LOL! This guy is so ubiquitous on the bands! I hear him always, for years going back. Excellent!
Very good selection of audio clips, sounds like old home. Good for beginners to hear this kind of contact.
Eric, another great video. I agree with you. The only time the bands are dead are when you don't get on. Up to this point, the only time I am on hf is when I am in my vehicle. I run a ft 857D with a ATAS 120. I have talked all over the world with that set up. I mostly rum QRP, however on occasion I will go high power at 100W. 😂😂
My only problem is I had to get a new vehicle and gue to physical challenges have been unable to install power and antenna lines. Keep up the great work.
I am not a ham but I do work the c.b. from north texas and it is far from dead. I love the challenge of perfecting the mobil install. The fact you are rocking a mobil makes me want to get my license. Thankyou for the good videos.
Thanks for putting these videos up to reinforce the fact that the bands are dead. Love the results you are getting with that new mobile setup. Good job! W6TUS 73
@w4csc I'm not sure if you're being condescending and just saying "That's no big deal." ,or what. Those of us with less time on the band depend on you Extras to help us validate our thoughts, but I'm just confused.
I carry a Elad FDM Duo in the semi on a short 20m hamstick. At 8w, I have been checking into the SATERN net from Nebraska, and occasionally can get into the Maritime Mobile Net from western NE/CO. 20m has been a rollercoaster in signal strength, just have to ride the waves! Good job on the mobile work!
The bands have been crappy lately but we do get some decent propagation on 20 and 40 meters.
I have a decent station at home but have been operating HF mobile with an IC-7000 and a Tarheel 75A antenna. The Tarheel is an excellent mobile antenna. It's been on my vehicle for over 10 years with zero problems.
Tarheel is center loaded for better efficiency. I've never needed any controllers for it. Just use the factory supplied UP/Down button and it literally takes several seconds to change bands. When changing bands, I move the coil up (or down) until the "hash" noise (heard on HF SSB) level is at maximum. It always brings SWR very close to 1:1. It's an excellent antenna. I've worked lots of DX with it. Generally, if I can hear them, they can hear me.
Eric, a bit of advice, if you don't mind. Install an antenna rated, tension relief spring between the top of the coil and the whip. It will protect your antenna from damage if you accidentally drive into a garage or drive under low tree branches. It saved my antenna from damage numerous times.
The spring won't affect antenna's performance but you'll need to recalibrate the antenna controller, if you use one. Don't buy a cheap spring as it will lack an internal conductor (to cancel any inductance in the spring). HRO sells a proper, antenna rated spring for around $22.
Also, try using the antenna on 80 meters with a long wire, instead of the whip (when parked, obviously). Connect one end of the wire to the top of the coil and throw the other end into a nearby tree. My Tarheel 75A will tune on 80m with the whip but the wire makes it a bit more efficient since is requires less inductance in the coil to load it on 80 meters. Same thing can be done on 160 meters but with a much longer wire or an additional coil in series with the antenna's coil.
Finally! I have been telling hams the same thing. The bands are not dead. No need for FT8. Just get on the air and make some contacts, some new friends. I still make contacts even though I have to operate using my Tarheel 100A from inside my bedroom. I don’t make every contact I hear, but I do contact most of what I hear. Hope to contact you soon on HF.
I run a Yaseu FT100D with an Atas 120a antenna and have worked around 100 countries over the years. Think the best was VK land on the long path. I use it mainly when I'm out on the road towing a RV. As you said the bands are never really dead all you need is to call CQ.
Eric i was soooo glad to see this video proving the bands are NOT dead, I've talked to dozens of hams that swear by the solar data that they're too dead to talk anywhere so i feel your pain. I run a Yaesu ft-891 with a WRC SOTA Special antenna and like you I've talked all over the world with little effort, I've had DX from Italy, Denmark, Germany, Austria and UK just to name a few all from dead ham Ohio.
Keep up the good work and great videos 73 de W8MJL
Callum from DX Commander recently posted his own HF mobile video. He was amazed to hit New Zealand from the coast in England from his car.
Been running the HP40 Tarheel in my semi for years. I rountinly talk all over the world on 20,10,17 and sometimes on 40 Tarheel antennas kick butt.
Great to see you with the HF setup in the Ford Transit van. I have a similar setup in CA. ENJOY THE DEAD BANDS IN FL ERIC! Mike N6IMY
Cycle 25 is on the upswing. We pretty much bottomed out earlier this year. 80 meters has been doing weird fade outs in the early evenings but it comes back after an hour or so. The band has been long at night so working DX even on 80 is easy this time of year. No static crashes to deal with like summer.
“The bands are dead.” I’ve been participating in the November sweeps for the first time and it’s been awesome. On 40 meters tonight I could not find a frequency where people weren’t right on top of each other. My Bandscope was almost solid color.
Nice to be in Florida for DX. Man, you’ve got a shot to Africa, South America, the Caribbean, Canada and Europe. Very good spot to be for sure Eric. Well done pal.
Proof in the pudding for sure! Live steam mobile in the works? Awesome HF contacts and look towards future videos! Thanks 73 KE0VNG
You worked W1AW !! You gotta get a QSL card from the ARRL headquarters !!
When you posted this video I was in the process of installing my mobile HF station. Fast forward to now and I've been operating mobile HF for 6 months and it has been tons of fun. My most surprising contact has been JK1BQS 40 meters early morning driving across Lake Jessup I couldn't believe he heard me and still can't HAHA. I've had many compliments on my mobile station and regularly make 800 to 2K mile contacts. I have a ICOM 706 MKIIG and a Little Tarheel 2. Nothing bonded. Thanks for the videos hope to see you again this year at Orlando Hamcation. 73 KK4VRP
It is fun to log the TH-cam ham channels, I have Eric a couple times from eastern Washington! Thank you Eric for all you do, K7DFL. “The bands are dead”. Lol
Running HF Mobile is my favorite way to operate. I will be putting mine back in my truck. Great set up you have! Funny how the bands are dead....EXCEPT.... during contests..... I guess there is a switch somewhere that turns the bands on at the beginning and off at the end of the contest.
it's called the ARRL switch
@@HamRadioConcepts I guess the ARRL is keeping the switch off until more Hams join or pay their dues.
Absolutely awesome video Eric.
I enjoyed every minute
My 7100 and Tar Heel are gonna be installed in/on my brand new Range Rover....or used Jeep. Whichever comes first.
Can't wait to get started I'm going to watch some of your other TH-cam videos so that I can understand a little bit more and thanks a lot
I love the 7100 videos!
I just installed my Icom 7100 in my Tucson over the weekend and should have HF going in the next few days. I've been a ham for 37 years and never had HF mobile, and I always wanted to work CW, so this will be a reality very soon! 73 de KN3A.
Eric nice to hear you chatting with the voice of the caribbean. He is a two radio tech same as you. He works on Motorola equipment. He comes in good up North here. Your right on on of my favorite frequencies, If you stay on their long enough you may chat with those pirates over in the UK. The boys from the offshore commercial broadcast stations the Tymes Amatuer Radio group. Have fun up on those towers. 14.250 -around 14.300 that's where I am usually.
Eric like you I worked more HF mobile than in my shack. My difference I did most with my FT817. If you can keep working HF mobile, its fun.
"The bands are Dead" issue is misleading . 20M is generally good all the time through even the lowest sunspot cycle but is excellent day and night when we are at peak , I doubt many HAMs believe 20M is ever "dead" however everything above that have been dead (unless you are running 1KW ) . 17M has shown life in the past month , the next band to come back to life is 15 followed by 10M in the next 3 years . Using 40M as your example is silly because 40 & 80 are not effected by the solar cycle . You want to see some real action , go back to 2012 , I was working Japan , Australia , Alaska and the world with ease from the mobile every day .
Bands are dead because everyone spins the dial listening for someone and no one calls.
@@Steyrshrek1 as they say: "Hide the waterfall and call CQ"
I’m wanting to get back into HF mobile, and that antenna is one I’m considering.
Audio quality is very good and everyone is exactly on freq for some reason.
Its December 2022 . I use a Hustler system , 100 watts , finely tuned , 100 countries .... When some HAMs don't , cant or won't listen to advice they start saying the "bands are dead" . They think a tuner makes their 8 ft incorrectly configured antenna efficient , one wonders how they ever passed their exam .
Why would Hams give thumbs down on this video. This guy is just trying to generate more activity on the ham bands. KK7T
I worked Australia on 40M mobile one morning. I didn't think I would be able to do it, but if the conditions are right, anything is possible! FT-857d & an ATAS-120.
As I’ve shown on my channel .. running mobile really works on HF ... great message Eric 73
Why better than fixed, apparently, since video author states he made many more contacts than from his shack?
Winston Smith I don’t think it’snecessarily better than a base station. It all depends what you have in the car or at the home. I guessing he made more contacts because he’s probably in front of the radio more in the vehicle than he is at home just my theory. 73.
jfranke3 good point .... plus you can get away from noise sources to improve receive and use hilltops with good take off or next to the sea to really benefit the TX.
That antenna is real nice .
Eric you got it happening in FL..
Even on your 27.385 on 11m".
Dead hjere Pittsburgh PA really be
nice here propagation on
10 12 15 again in late afternoons its all wimpy Mobil signals.
Thanks for the great videos .
Start a 20 meter morning net, we'll be there!
Love the HF mobile videos 👍
Amazing. The TX/RX LED never changed from RX to TX through out the entire video
John Peterson it is only recorded audio from the 7100 and better than having a black screen listening
This was why I failed the technician exam and now that I did pass and got my callsign I been studying for the general exam like crazy, because I wanted to get into this hobby to play with HF specifically and make calls everywhere.
73, KQ4HCU
Would like to see a live video . As a Ham I like to see the s-meter live not pictures. Nice contacts! Been active in the mobile for years. Lucky here, I have the ocean . Parking on the water is a great advantage. Thanks for the vid.
Eric, you're a star. When people get the idea that laziness and apathy is killing our hobby the better we all will be, As you say.... "The bands are dead" You couldn't prove the trolls any more wrong Licensed 40 years now, had soo much fun over the years Keep the faith Brother Pete VK3TQ / VK2LD
Best vid yet....and you got W1AW !
Eric you are inspiring me to try agin on getting upgraded to be a General ham operator. I'm also in process of helping one of my friend on becoming a a new ham. Just the other day he went with me to get a used tower mast for a quad band base radio set up. I'm also going to set up 11m (or CB ) on the tower as well. So I can talk to him at his house while I'm helping him study for his exam.
Christopher Johnston from Pennsylvania KC3HBS
I love HF mobile!!
Wow just notice how HF Contests miraculously improve propagation, its amazing how that happens..lol
GREAT contacts nice job
Thank you, Eric, nice video.
I am in the process hooking my IC-7000 in the 18 wheeler with the Little Tarheel antenna controlled with a Turbo Tuner on the antenna. Trying to find a faceplate sep kit to make things a bit nicer so I will mount it up high with the CB. 73 de KC8VJD
Eric, I hear many hams bleeting "The bands are dead" comment all the time in the UK. Ther olny good thing out of this, is, while there sat in the house, watching crap on the TV with the XYL, i'm out in the shack playing HF. The bands are not dead, as you say. the "bands are dead" comment has passed about as much as "it's not read radio"comment. I'm starting to think hams are more like sheep, than sheep.
I'm going to start a stupid comment of some description, just to see how long it takes, to travel the world. 73's eric
I have a IC7000 and a Tarheel II just like you. It is absolutely brilliant. I work DX driving to work each day. The bands are not dead - just call CQ and some one will talk to you!
Very impressive bunch of mobile DXs...73s ... de... AC3FB...
I love your videos and have learned from them, especially the "bands are dead" series. Sometimes common sense just has to outweigh everything else. If you're talking, someone is likely listening.
73, and keep it up!!! - KCØJH
Hi Eric, completely agree, been running a HF Mobile for the past couple of years (Yaesu 857d and ATAS) DX you name it some days better than others. Continue the Vid's. 73 de W8RLP Roger
Rare! I carry a portable. Qrp cw Riggs. One of my favorite is 30 meter cw. all ways finding a rag chew. A dipole with a tuner. Does just fine. .
Hi how's it going love the channel. I'm new to ham radios trying to learn and understand as much as I can before studing to get license. I'm very familiar with children radios and electronics , but ham is a totally different story. Especially with no help in understanding it so I'm on my own trying as I can.
Getting ready to install a IC-7000 in my truck this weekend. - KM5CHZ
Welcome to the world of HF mobile, see you on the air! N5XTR/m (ft857d+HIQ 4-160) work truck mobile.
That was fun. I want an Icom for my ride!
Hi HamRadioConcepts.
Very good.
73 from brazil.
Thank you
👍👍
@hamradioconcepts can you do a long term review of the 7100? Comparing the hf side of the 7100 vs the 891. Obviously the addition of the vhf/uhf side adds more to the 7100. But specifically on the hf side, any comments?
Nice video Eric. I operate CW only, and the CW portions of the bands are very active. 73 W8UTS
I have worked luaro. Nice guy. Trying to get to the other guy in Cape Town South Africa
Nice vido great stuff thanks
This sounds like a blast.
Erick: something that I think you need to understand is that living at the south eastern tip of North America,, and at the latitude that you do, band conditions are often far better than they are in the more northerly latitudes, especially on 20 and 17 meters. I live in VE6 land, but I have operated HF on the east coast of the US around NJ/NY and I can tell you that the band conditions are far far better for the most part than at home. Unless we get a path over the pole, Europe is not an everyday occurrence. We get the odd South American DX and sometimes a bit of Australia and NZ, but rarely even when the bands are very good. Given the fact that there are far far fewer hams in Canada than in the US, regional and short hop contacts are also rare simply due to the lack of operators within the range of the band. I noticed from this video that you are making an awful lot of east coast and near midwest contacts, and pretty much no west coast or western Canadian contacts. Living east of the Rockies and near the ocean gives you a really big advantage on HF to other parts of the world, as well as access to the largest numbers of hams in North America. So before you really slam people who are saying the bands are dead, understand that for some of us, the bands really are dead due to our location in the world and no amount of turning the radio on, calling CQ or quantity of metal up in the air is going to change that fact. I think you would be the first to recognize that band conditions are very much dependent upon geographical location. Living in Florida you really have golden conditions most of the time. Living in Alberta, we rarely have golden conditions even during the height of the sunspot cycles.
love my tarheel 2. Works especially well with the fifth wheel trailer attached, bigger ground plain I think. 73
that's good video Eric. The old saying is you can spend a dollar on the radio but you need to spend $200 on a good antenna and that's a good antenna alright 73
Eric, I still run HF Mobile for years with FT-857 and ATAS-120A and still going strong on the HF bands but mostly only 20M lately. I don’t have the same instant result on 40m as I do with 20m and above. Look in your log compare 20m versus 40m I’m curious to see what the ratio of contacts on each band are Mobile only?
👑
That was fun...to hear the quiet nothingness of all those DEAD bands! 🤣 73 de KD2REU.
Awesome video
I'm a tech (2 m and 70 cm). I have one spot I can hit the repeater from my house, using a j-pole. I disassembled the antenna to prepare to move (hasn't happened yet), so now I can't communicate with Burning River club on my moble. One square foot area for all my antennas (indoors). All the rest of my apartment is dead zones across all bands. Outside antennas are prohibited.
Oh Eric, the worst thing I did was sell MY SECOND 7100 ... its a fine radio
Thanks Erick nice video73 from kb2uew good luck
Love the content. Hope to find you on the airwaves someday! KC1LUX 👍
Bravo Eric,... 73s.. A92GW
I was A92GL when I was in Bahrain from 99-01. :-)
Hi guys. While I had A92GL, I was barely active, went to a few of the club meetings. I was just married with a baby daughter, my wife and I were both in the Navy and very busy. Would love to go back some day and operate there.
@@herrwabbaloo937 Hi Tom here A92GW, well Bahrain has changed so much since 2000. I first lived in Bahrain since Dec 2005. The Club broke up a few years ago, but getting Lic is still very easy, friendly. I operate HF portable and Mobile most of the time, when able. Its a very small community of Lic Operators here now. But When I get on, I for sure get contacts, Bahrain, Mobile HF, great, in the past year, my best contacts were Swaziland, Austrailia, New Zealand, Bonair, Japan of course Europe and Russia, Ukraine is Easy Peasy. If all else fails, you can always find an Italian Station. I do get into east coast n central USA from time to time, again, Mobile HF, sitting by the sea is the key, can be on 20 or 40. Anyway Gents cheers n thx for the message 73s tom