Beware commercial 6M antennas. They are usually for the
52Mhz FM portion of the band. A 2M 5/8 wave whip = 6M ? wave whip.
For my ft-817 I order the superantennas.com mount kit.
This gives you a side attached 3/8" x 24TPI mount.
I picked up a "whip-tip" adapter at a hamfest. This is
a 3/8" male on one end and accepts a larger diameter whip and has
a set screw. Purchase an adapter that takes a 5/32" diameter whip.
Back out the set screw. Using a Radio Shack or similar 72" whip
antenna replace the bottom screw type base of the antenna whip with
a male banana plug. This will easily slide into the whip tip adapter.
(Those using the RS back of set antenna will already have constructed
the above whip.)
I found that if I put out all sections of the whip except for ? of
the top most section it would do well on 6M. Ok on 2M. Adjust
down to ~19.5" for 2M operation. I connected a counterpoise that
was cut for ~1/4wave length on 10M to the ground mount of the
FT-817 mounting bracket.
I used a short ~6" pl-259 -> pl-259 jumper cable between the
so-239 of the radio and the bracket. I have not yet tried
using a "banana plug jumper wire." And probably won't.
For mobile operation I used a cut down CB whip, split-ball mount,
springs, extension rod & whip tip adapter. FYI, use cutting oil
and a high-speed cutting wheel when you go to shorten the CB whip.
The cutting oil will significantly speed the process and prolong
the life of your cutting bit. (I use a dremel.) Check out my
web page for details and pictures.
I have also been experimenting with various coils and antennas
for HF. I will post more in a separate message.
72/73,
Bryan ¨C k0emt
Original Message <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
On 13-06-2001, 08:57:29, "Simon Brown" <simon.brown@...> wrote
regarding [FT817] 6m Whip:
I ordered a FT-817 today, having been QRT since 1983/1984. I was GD4ELI,
am
now HB9DRV. Do 6m 1/4 wave whips exist for the car? When I was last
active
6m wasn't allocated (I think).
What do you all use for 6m while mobile?
