Hi All,
I just picked up several of the Proam Hamstick clone antennas. I mounted
the first one, the 40 meter antenna about 3 weeks ago and it tuned up
great, about 1:3-1 and worked fine. The whole plan here was to be able
to work some QRP mobile. The antenna mount is on the back right corner
of 3/4 Chevy conversion van. The mount is a stud mount clamped to the
aluminum ladder on the back. The mount is stainless steel and I have not
made any provisions for extra grounding. I have looked and it appears
that the ladder is bolted right to the metal of the door without any
insulation. At first the 40 meter antenna worked just fine. I then
started to notice some signal flutter when driving. Then it would start
to go "deaf" at times. I checked the coax, the connectors and all. SWR
will now not go below 3:0-1 anywhere in the 40 meter band. Now the plot
thickens. I replaced the stud mount as it appeared the ham fest special
that I had could short to the stud maybe. Then I found that something in
the coax or connectors had gone bad, so, new coax and connectors and
stud mount. Stuck the 17 meter stick on there and it tuned up just fine.
1:4-1 or less all across the band both on the Autek RF-1 and direst
reading. Same same on the 20 meter stick. Tuned up just nice. BUT the 30
meter stick will not go below 2:5-1 and the 40 meter stick will not go
below 3:0-1 now. All I had before was the 40 meter stick and at first it
tuned up fine. Now the 40 meter and 30 meter stick will not tune. Is it
possible that the moount needs extra grounding? I tried running a jumper
wire from what appeared to be a good chassis ground to the mount and it
did not appear to make a difference. The way that the antemmas mount,
about half of the bottom is within 6 inches of the body, but all of the
main coil on the bottom is in the clear of the roof and the stinger is
completely above the roof, only the bottom third of the antenna is bleow
the roof line. HELP! I just spent about 2-3 hours trying to figure it
out and cannot. All advice excepted.
Best
Jess N0TFI
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