Frequently Asked Questions

Why so many different antennas.

We try to build antennas to meet the needs of most Hams.

The Little Tarheel II was built to allow HF mobile enthusiast who had issues with the larger antennas and needed a compact HF antenna easy to install. (Note: XYL approved ☺)

The Model 100A-HP is the original large high power version built for cars, small trucks, or the bed of larger pickups with covers 10-80 Meters.

The Model 200A-HP is the extended length version of the original large high power which covers 10-80 Meters, built for SUV's, mini vans, Vans, or large pickups when mounting low in the vehicle.

The Model 300A is the extended coverage version of the model 100A with covers 10-160 Meters, built for cars, small trucks, or the bed of larger pickups.

The Model 400A is the extended coverage version of the model 200A with covers 10-160 Meters, built for SUV's, mini vans, Vans, or large pickups when mounting low in the vehicle.

The Model 40A-HP is a compact high power version of the Model 100A-HP which covers 10-40 Meters.

The Model 75A is a compact version of the Model 300A, which covers 10-75 Meters.

What comes with the antenna.

All antennas come with a whip, 20 ft. of 4 wire control cable, a manual control switch, a fuse holder with fuse, a Ferrite Core, 3/8x24 1 1/4 stud, matching coil (if needed), and instruction manual.

Will a Tarheel Antenna work with my radio?

All Tarheel Antennas will work with any HF Radio.

My Do I Need a tuner for a Tarheel antenna?

No, all Tarheel antennas come with a manual switch to adjust the antenna to a resonant frequency. You can add a turns counter or a motorized (screwdriver) controller to make the antenna an easier to adjust.

Will the tuner in my radio work with a Tarheel antenna?

No, the tuner in your radio is not designed run the motor in motorized antennas.

How do I Tune the antenna?

There are several ways to tune the antenna.

Change the radio to the frequency you want to operate. With the manual switch run the antenna up or down until you hear the noise level start to come up. Switch the radio into low power tune mode and continue to adjust the antenna in the same direction until the VSWR dips on your radio.

You can use a turns counter or turns counter with memories which makes tuning easier.

Or the most expensive, An automatic motorized antenna controller which interfaces with your radio. All you do hit the tune button on the radio and the automatic motorized antenna tuner adjusts the antenna to the lowest VSWR.

Now long does it take for the antenna to go from park position to full extention?

Little Tarheel II - About 90 sec

Model 40A-HP & 75A - About 30 sec.

Model 100A-HP, 200A-HP, 300A, 400A - About 100 sec

My auto Tuner adjusts my antenna but the receive level is way down is there a problem with the antenna?

If you can't hear any thing the antenna is probably not tune to a resonant frequency. Try adjusting the antenna with the manual switch and see if you can get an increase in receive level. Or check the antenna with an antenna analyzer and see if the antenna is tuned correctly. Most likely you will find that the antenna is not tunner to the frequency you thought it was supposed to be tunned.

My antenna will not tune. It appears to be shorted out.

This usually is caused by not installing the antenna into the MT-1 mount correctly. The MT-1 antennas bracket has 6 cutouts for the anti-rotation rib that's on the antenna. Be sure the rib goes into one of these cutouts, there is no need to cut the insulator, it will compress enough to tighten the antenna down.

Note: The anti-rotation rib can not be between the two halves of the top clamp on the MT-1. That will short out the antenna.

Tarheel Antennas, Inc.
18511 CR 304
St. Joseph, MO 64505

Sales
Phone: 877-671-9409 or 816-671-9409
Fax: 816-364-2619
Email: sales@tarheelantennas.com

Technical Support & Questions
Contact Robert in North Carolina
Phone:919-552-8788
Email: tarheelantennas@aol.com