December, 1959 - Collins mobile mount and Collins power supply for the KWM-2 installed in 1959 Pontiac.  At last no more dynamotors!  Used the Collins solid state power supply.  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 the car was sold in April 1965. (Click on pictures for larger view)  The next HF mobile was installed September 2002. They sure got smaller and it's a good thing because of the small cars!

Mobile again - 2 meters only

Back on HF mobile 37 years later

Hustler antenna

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.

Tarheel Antennas - Model 200

October 10, 2002 - Installed new Tarheel Screwdriver Model 200 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. Model 200 Instruction book

Tarheel Antennas - Model 100

October 30, 2002 - Went over to the Tarheel Screwdriver factory and had it shorten from a 4 foot model to the 3 foot Model 100.  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.. Model 100 Instruction book Click on picture for larger version

Mounting details for Model 100 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 HP Antenna

August 6, 2004 - Installed new Little Tarheel HP 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.  Model Little Tarheel HP Instruction book

Mounting details for Little Tarheel HP 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.

View from driver's side.

Screwdriver antenna controller.
Radio and antenna main power switch on left.

Click on pictures for larger version.

The Model 75A Tarheel Antenna

January 27, 2010 - Installed new Model 75A Tar Heel Screwdriver mobile antenna for 80 through 10 meters.  Wanted to get back on 75 meter mobile.  Have a 6 foot whip that came with it but also use a 56 inch whip. Also have an 11 inch whip that is on the car most of the time so I can drive in the garage without damage when the antenna is at minimum height.  The 11 inch whip will tune from 40 to 10 meters.  First contacts were made on 75 meters with very good signal reports.  Next day, worked NY, FL, IN, IL, MI and NE with 59 reports on 40 meters.  Also worked CA and WA on 20 with good reports.  It works!  Model 75A "Stubby" Instruction book

March 18, 2010 - Installed new mount and brace for antenna.  Used 3/16 inch steel bent to shape and painted.  Updated pictures with new installation. 

Note: A big advantage of the 75A is the speed of changing bands.  Most of the screwdriver antennas take about a minute to go from minimum height to maximum height.  The Model 75A will do it in about 30 seconds.   Going from the minimum height to 20 meters takes only about 5 seconds.   Changing from 20 to 40 meters only takes 7 seconds.  12 seconds from minimum height to 40 meters!  75 meters is about 20 seconds from 40 meters.  It uses the same motor as the larger Model 100 and Model 200 antennas that have a much longer coil to move.  I have been very happy with this antenna and the results. 

View of Model 75A from front of car
Click on picture for large view

View of Model 75A from back of car.
Click on picture for large view

Close-up of homemade mount from back with hatch closed.
Click on picture for large view

Close-up of homemade mount from back with hatch open showing mount and brace attachment points..
Click on picture for large view