W4YDY Mobile

May, 1953 - Morrow-3br-1converter.jpg (7130 bytes)

My first mobile was a Morrow 3BR-1 80-20-10 meter converter that was

connected to the BC radio. My Harvey Wells TBS-50D transmitter was installed in the trunk. High Voltage DC power was supplied by a dynamoter connected to the battery that was a positive ground in a 1947 Plymouth 4 door sedan. Found out about that positive ground the hard way when I turned on the Harvey Wells filaments the first time! SMOKE!! The Harvey Wells was used in the car and the house so it was "portable". Operation was crystal controlled only on 3.865 MHz. The antenna was a homemade coil and an 8-foot whip. Installed the rig in a 1949 Plymouth a year later.

1956 - viking mobile150.JPG (5437 bytes)

A few years later, purchased a 6 band Viking Mobile Transmitter kit for $99.50 and 55pontiac200.jpg (5971 bytes)

mounted in a 1955 Pontiac. It covered 80, 40, 20, 15, 11 and 10 meters. The transmitter had an 807 final amplifier running 60 watts input and used a pair of 807's for plate modulation on AM. It had a four crystal switch for frequency changes and a $29.45 kit (less tubes) VFO could be attached. The antenna was a Webster Bandspanner all band antenna. A dynamotor supplied the HV DC.

November 20, 1959 - Received new Collins KWM-2 transceiver (serial # 149).

1959 Pontiac with KWM-2 installed. December, 1960 - Collins mobile mount and Collins power supply for the KWM-2 installed in 1959 Pontiac. The antennas were 5 single band whips with quick disconnects and can be seen faintly in the center of the trunk lid. This installation was removed when car sold in April 1965. The next HF mobile was installed September 2002. They sure got smaller and it's a good thing because of the small cars!

1971 - I went mobile again, but on 2 meters only. A Regency HR-10 was installed in a 1969 VW with a DB Products 3/8 antenna mounted on the front right hood. Later model 2 meter rigs were installed in a 1977 Plymouth with the same antenna installed on the left rear trunk. In 1980, installed the 2 meters in a 1970 VW pictured.

1988 - Bought a 1983 Ford Escort and installed the 2 meter radio with the DB Products antenna on the right side of the hood. A few years later, installed same in 1989 Ford Escort.

September 2, 2002 - Finished installation of new mobile rig in a 1998 Ford Escort Wagon. Made contacts with CA fixed station and WA mobile on 20 meters. Car shown with 20 meter resonator on left antenna and right antenna is for 2 Meters and 440 MHz. Kept this antenna for a month and changed to a Tarheel Screwdriver shown below. Back on HF mobile after 37 years.

September 3, 2002 - Had contacts on County Hunters Net on 20 meters with Australia and several states. VK4AAR ran me in Pitt County for my first county run from the mobile. Also some contacts on the 40 meter CHN.
Interior view of car with Icom IC-706MKIIG all band transceiver to right of steering wheel and Kenwood TM-V7A 2/440 transceiver behind the steering wheel. Click on pictures for larger version.

October 10, 2002 - Installed new Tarheel Screwdriver mobile antenna for HF. It was really BIG on my little car!! Changed to a 3 foot version on October 30 (see the next picture below) although the 4 foot version of Screwdriver worked great. The bottom mount is bolted to the car chassis. Click on picture for larger version.

October 30, 2002 - Went over to the Tarheel Screwdriver factory and had it shorten from a 4 foot model to a 3 foot model. Antenna mount is a foot higher and closer to the body of the car therefore the top of the antenna is the same height. I think it looks much better now on the small car. Great bunch of fellows at Tarheel Screwdriver and it's an outstanding antenna. On the 2 hour trip back home, made 67 contacts to 25 states and Germany on the County Hunter's Net on 20 meters. Click on picture for larger version.

Mounting details for Tarheel Antenna on 1998 Ford Escort
Click on pictures for larger version.


View of antenna mount next to left rear light. Upper brace can be seen with lift gate open.	Close view of bottom antenna mount.

Bottom of mount Tail light removed The mount was made from a 2 inch wide, 1/16 inch thick steel cut from a 3 foot piece brought at a national hardware store. Two pieces were cut and bent to an L shape, then bolted together.	Upper brace for Tarheel antenna. Rear lift gate open. The brace was made from a 1 inch wide, 1/16 inch thick steel cut from a 3 foot piece brought at a national hardware store. The insulator rod is made from a length of delron.

Another rear view of the antenna on the car. This picture and the interior picture above are in the February 2003 CQ Magazine, page 52, in the new Mobiling column by AA6JR.

The Little Tarheel Antenna

August 6, 2004 - Installed new Little Tarheel Screwdriver mobile antenna for 40 through 6 meters. Decided to go to a smaller antenna for my little car.

Looks much better than the large antenna. Use a 56 inch whip and reports have been very good. A few months later, a 14 inch whip was installed so can now drive in the garage without having to stop. The 14 inch whip will work from 6 to 30 meters, no 40. Have made many contacts using it running errands around town. When on longer errands or trips, screw on the 56 inch whip with quick disconnects. Click on pictures for larger version.

Mounting details for Little Tarheel Antenna on 1998 Ford Escort


A bracket was made from a 2 inch wide, 1/16 inch thick steel cut from a 3 foot piece brought at a national hardware store.		View with the lift gate closed. The mount was primed and painted to match the car.

W4YDY's H P	W4QI	*Brightleaf ARC*
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Weather Links	Amateur Radio Links	Miscellaneous

KWM-2 Installation	Hustler
Tarheel Screwdriver	Little Tarheel Screwdriver


View from driver's side.	Screwdriver antenna controller. Main power switch on left.
*Click on pictures for larger version.*

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