So, e.g. should a 2m FM operator driving in a car [better still, is being driven], sign ‘static mobile’ on his next over when the car is stationary at the traffic lights, and revert to ‘mobile’ when the lights change?
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Now you are being deliberately silly. but point taken
No, I’m giving example interpretations of the silly and ill-thought-out concept that you described and some operators use or used. The terms “portable” and “mobile” and the distinction between them are well understood.
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Now you are getting rude - We (still at the moment) live in part of the world and in a hobby where we can have different opinions and in this case - I defined how I learnt to understood “Static Mobile” back in the 1970’s whether logical or not. I know, by your call that you were around at the time.
Why do you say that Ed? Have I criticized you personally? No. I’m not shooting the messenger. You only described the usage. I criticized that usage.
OK, understood now.
Hey what a surprise - this thread has gone way off the questions that Tony had.
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Ye, must admit I was expecting questions like : what you using conductive ink on a circuit board? or, what radio you using for 70MHz? Etc:
But im having fun watching it degrade😂
It makrs a change actually I am used to being ignored since I upset a few people a couple of years😇
I love ya all Tony
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Good morning all, hope you all slept well?
I have now read all the thread thoroughly as last night I was tired.
Firstly I never said in my original post that I was going to sign as Static Mobile, I will be using /M which is what I am used to using when in a vehicle.
Secondly, yes I have checked Continuity on the 40m whip, and I feel that because the 60m and the 20m have tuned up so quickly I would be better getting it on an analyser in situ.
Historically, the reflector posts do tend to go off topic, I am not used to mine doing this as I usually get very few replies.
But what I was not prepared for was a photo of some of the most horrific human beings from history being placed on my post.
I will always welcome constructive feedback, as throughout my working life that’s how I learned to do things better.
So again I say Activators listen out for me please, especially as I am retired from activating now as the pain is too much. It would be great if you can help me build up to my 3rd Sloth and beyond.
Best 73 to all
Tony
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Good luck with the chasing! I don’t operate hf from home, so my chasing is usually done from the car too. I usually find if I can hear the activators, they can hear me, so I’m sure you’ll get plenty of contacts.
I look forward to working you on a future activation.
73, Matthew M0JSB
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I’ve been thinking through your issues. A modern-ish radio designed for portable use, single magnet magmount, length of feeder, a number of exchangable helically loaded whips with adjustments. All seems straightforward gear.
The magmount relies on capacitive coupling between the base and the car body. The fact that you can setup and gain an acceptable match on 20/17m suggests the cable and magmount are working. The fact that 40m wont match made me think if there was insufficient coupling to the body. You said you’d used a t-style 3 magnet mount before with no issues and that would have greater coupling. But the 60m antenna works so we can probably discount that.
So is the 40m antenna defective in some way? You’ve said you have checked it has electrical continuity so maybe it’s made wrong. Comparing it to the 60 and 20m antennas, does look like it has the right feel for the amount of wire? (Somewhat less than the 60 and more than the 20?) It’s possible… I’ve seen 70cms HB9CVs that would never work because the elements were the wrong lengths in the wrong positions! As your radio is unrestricted in HF TX, at low power move up / down from 7.0MHz in 250kHz steps to see if you can find where it does match.
If you decide the antenna is kosher, then it could be the length of feeder is just right on 40m that it is transforming the impedance of the antenna to something else. I did suggest adding in a patch lead, say a few metres of extra coax and see if that changes things. This just has to be something to let you test the theory, it doesn’t have to be productionised!
Or maybe the setup is just so that there is excessive RF pickup and feedback. Probably some on all bands but 40m just happens to hit the sweet spot. Can you add some kind of choke to the feeder (several turns of the feeder solenoid wound) by the radio? Is the case of the radio adequately grounded or is it sat just on the passenger seat? Try earthing the case. Don’t forget to make sure the power cables have chokes though ISTR the 857 was a good radio in this respect as it was designed for what you are doing.
There will be an explanation and there will be a cure. I looked on line and a few people found they needed a small loading coil at the base to get the 40m stick to match. Let’s hope the fix is less involved.
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Thanks Andy, I will digest all your thoughts and develop a plan
I have attached a ground wire from the Radio to the seat mount where it is bolted into the chassis.
The Power cable has strap solenoids on it close again to the radio end.
I will try a Choke at the Radio end of the coax.
I still believe it is the antenna at fault, just because as you say the setup works really well either side of 40m
My main plan is to get someone maybe from our Radio club who has an Antenna analyser ,so we test the Antenna in situ as I have it now.
Thank you for your feedback as it’s much appreciated from someone with a better understanding of things than myself.
Tony
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Hej Tony,
On 40 m, your car is not the counterpoise, but the capacitor coupling to earth. Providing a short and low-impedance connection from the magmount shield to the body/chassis will improve SWR and radiation.
Band noise changing every time you’re driving over a bridge indicates when you’re really there. 
Ahoi
Pom
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Thanks Pom, I will add it to my list of things to look at.
I will be stationary when I have those whips on, as they too tall for me on a moving vehicle
Tony
Will you have anything horizontal for 2m or 70cm? If not i would try vertical ssb as we both know we can manage some distance even cross polarised.
Would be an incentive for me to nip up sp-17 if i knew there would be at least 1 chaser on 2m/70cm ssb.
I wonder if we need some kind of chaser alert system to let activators know when you are out and about 
.
Ian
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Hi Ian,
Yes , I am still grateful you waited for me to get up Long Mountain on my Birthday.
I am always wanting to get more activators using SSB on both VHF/UHF, when I was doing most of my Activations in 2009/2010, and 2m ssb was only my first mode to use before going to FM.
I will be vertical polarised with a Diamond SG7500 on VHF/UHF both ssb and fm
What I have planned is if there are enough alerts on here for the next day, I will go up my local high spot, which is 120m asl.
DM me and I can give you my mobile, I can text you with any plans I have each time??
Tony
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I found those AmPro HF whips whack on all sorts of objects like overhanging trees, which probably doesn’t do much for their longevity. Best removed before driving anywhere. VHF whips are short enough to leave on.
I hope no one on this topic operates or is thinking of operating a “two-way radio” whilst driving themselves, i.e. /M.
The law in the UK regarding the use of mobile devices like mobile phones has been made stricter (and clearer to understand) in recent years due to the unfortunate large number of deaths and injuries still happening, mainly due to inattentive drivers texting or making phone calls. In my view, an amateur radio transceiver is covered under this same law. Not only must the device be mounted somewhere (not in your hands) but even touching it whilst driving (e.g. to operate it) is illegal.
[And even when stationary in a layby with the engine running the driver is still considered to be “in control of the vehicle” on a public road so don’t text, make calls or have QSOs then either].
It seems the mobile device needs to be operated solely by voice commands to be legal. In my view, the driver cannot concentrate on driving safely if engaged simultaneously in another complex task.
If you have a different interpretation, let me know. My knowledge comes mainly from watching a ‘trainer of driving instructors’ YouTube video on this topic.
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I agree with your thoughts on operating mobile, but the pedant in me can’t resist pointing out that there is an exemption for two way radios, explained better than I could here:
https://www.westyorkshire.police.uk/ask-the-police/question/Q659
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Hi Adrian. And the pedant in me has to counter the pedant in you! I didn’t say it was illegal to use “two-way radios”. I said their usage (by the driver) has to be completely hands free. The WYP article doesn’t contradict what I wrote.
Operating a mobile phone whilst driving is an absolute offence in the UK so there is no need for a prosecutor to show any faults elements just that the prohibited act took place. In the UK that boils down to holding it whilst driving. There are rules to do if stationary with the engine stopped or running or waiting at lights yada yada yada, but basically you hold the phone then you can be prosecuted. If you want to use your phone as a music player/GPS then it needs to be in a hands free holder if you are touching it. (In my case I can control the music player in the phone from the car’s music buttons and I have a decent and updated GPS built in).
Phones are identified by the frequency bands used for mobile phones in the UK (I guess they have added 5G freqs now). So you identify the prohibited device from the frequency it uses and the offence is absolute. This means even if you can show that holding your phone and texting whilst driving was not the cause of the accident, you still get prosecuted…absolute offence.
All other comms devices are not telephones (frequencies used) and there is nothing that specifically states you must operate them hands free. What can happen is you can be prosecuted for not being in control, driving without due care and attention or dangerous driving. Some of those offences can carry prison sentences. But even if you are stopped by PC Plod for using a hand held mic and it goes to court, the police still have to prove you were committing a driving offence. At one time the policeman’s word “I saw FMF using a handy whilst driving at 70mph on the M90” in court would be sufficient. There have been enough high profile police convictions (for murder, rape, corruption etc.) a decent lawyer would rip shreds through that kind of evidence. They would have to prove the use of the radio contributed to the driving offence.
This was why the use of mobile phones was made absolute… hold the phone and you’re guilty and nothing more than a few seconds of video is enough to get a conviction whether your use of the phone was dangerous or not.
I’ve not had amateur radio fitted in my car for 30+ years. When commuting long distances to work I shared the travel with others to save money and wear on the car. And for the last 18 years I’ve been able to have a 10min drive to the office or work from home, so no need. I’d feel unsafe using a hand held mic. I use my phone hands free when driving as all the controls to operate it are on the steering wheel so I don’t need to take my hands off the wheel and many things are available with voice control.
But specifically, there’s nothing to stop you using a hand held or mic whilst driving as long as you can prove you are not compromised if PC Plod decides to stop you.
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Tony the key is low impedance. Not a long thin piece of wire but say a thick flat braided strap. Something like this: Braided Earth Strap, Car Engine Gearbox Battery, Choose lengths, 9", 18" or 24" | eBay
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