HF antenna decisions

[AlumaTurtle]

I have purchased a scorpion SA 6610 antenna. I would like to run a few things by you to get some Ideas.

Current plan is to mount the antenna behind the ford f150 cab on the pickup bed. with a fiberglass shell about 8 inches behind the antenna. My reason for selecting this is I want to be able to boondock, and move my location, realizing that where the trailer is parked, may not be the best operating position. but if I want to move inside to operate i can attach a 50' coax and use the mobile setup as a moveable antenna.

Is my logic sound? all answers pro and con welcome.

Dave
AA0AE

[alano]

And will you add a 50' control cable for the antenna and a second controller?

[AlumaTurtle]

yes I figured that that would go without saying. altho I wondered about voltage drop.

Dave
AA0AE

[Bruce B]

Have you been to Alan Applegates site?
It made my HF installation possible!
Alan is always there to answer questions you might have too...
73
AB1KC

http://www.k0bg.com/

[alano]

Adding 50' of additional RG-58 results in about 1.75 dB of loss @ 10 MHz. So if you plan on operating on 10 meters (28 MHz) you might want to consider something less lossy. Otherwise post back what your results were.
73s

[Al and Missy]

I never had one, but the Scorpions look like terrific antennas.

Just curious, what is it about the trailer location that you think might not be suitable?

With only one antenna, I can see having it on the truck for use in motion. I have a Tarheel on the roadside at the bumper and I'm planning a High Sierra screwdriver antenna (which I replaced with the Tarheel when I erroneously thought it wasn't working as well as it should) with a HB lift and lay mount on the roof of the trailer. Jim, N5RTG has one and it seems to work really well. He also carries a G5RV dipole and a multi-section fiberglass mil-surplus mast when he wants a better antenna.

Incidentally, W4RP's loss tables show 1.4 dB for 100 feet of RG-58 (which is 1/4 of an S-unit) at 10 MHz and 2.5 dB at 30 MHz. By his tables, RG-58 would be 0.7 dB at 10 MHz and 1.25 dB at 30. I wouldn't sweat losses at this level.

Al

[AlumaTurtle]

Just curious, what is it about the trailer location that you think might not be suitable?

With only one antenna, I can see having it on the truck for use in motion.

I wouldn't sweat losses at this level.

Al[/QUOTE]
Not really worried about the location on the bed of the Pickup, but I have always been taught that anything that can react with the radiation pattern of the antenna is to be avoided. I would like equal radiation of the signal, like a ground mounted vertical, and not have any signal blocked by the cab of the pickup.
Not sure that it would change the radiation pattern or not, that is why i put this out for discussion. and since I am spending the money for the antenna, I want the best use of it.
Dave
AA0AE

[AlumaTurtle]

Originally Posted by Bruce B

Have you been to Alan Applegates site?
It made my HF installation possible!
Alan is always there to answer questions you might have too...
73
AB1KC

http://www.k0bg.com/

Bruce

Yes that is the first place i went. a must read.

Dave
AA0AE

[AlumaTurtle]

Originally Posted by alano

Adding 50' of additional RG-58 results in about 1.75 dB of loss @ 10 MHz. So if you plan on operating on 10 meters (28 MHz) you might want to consider something less lossy. Otherwise post back what your results were.
73s

I haven't considered the loss on 10 meters, My main idea's have to work lower bands in trailer, with my ten-tec omni 6+ with lp-pan, and higher bands mobile.
Dave
AA0AE