Radioddity HF-008 is a compact portable antenna with multiple taps along its coil select any amateur band from 6 meters down to 80 meters. At the top of the antenna is an adjustable whip for fine tuning within the band.
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RADIODDITY HF-008 PORTABLE TELESCOPIC ANTENNA
https://www.radioddity.com/collections/accessories-antenna/products/radioddity-hf008-antenna
RADIODDITY M916 HEAVY DUTY ANTENNA MAGNET MOUNT
https://www.radioddity.com/products/radioddity-m916-antenna-base
Jaw Mount Antenna Clamp: https://amzn.to/3VL5Ir6
SO-239 stud mount for jaw clamp: https://amzn.to/3VT1KwG
Do you remember the Outbacker antenna? It was a popular base loaded vertical antenna with taps along the side for each band. Unfortunately it is no longer in production, but the Radioddity HF-008 shares the same design with multi taps along its coil to use it on any amateur band from 6 meters down to 80 meters. At the top of the antenna is an adjustable whip for tuning within the band.
I’m calling this a portable antenna and not a mobile antenna. Even though the HF-008 is paired along with the Radioddity triple magnet base, I feel like it won’t be up to the task of genuine mobile operation.
That, and I’ve used magnet bases mobile and other than keeping a lightweight VHF whip stuck to the car, they are pretty much useless for something as substantial as this.
Radioddity sent me an HF-008 antenna and triple mag-mount base in exchange for a video. My comments and experience with it are my own without outside influence. So lets take a deeper look at the HF-008 antenna and MH-916 triple magnet base.
The magnet base consists of three power magnets in a triangle configuration with an SO-239, or UHF female connection in the middle. Attached to the connector is approximately 13 feet of RG-58 cable with a PL-259 connector. The magnets themselves are four inches in diameter and they are quite strong. It takes a bit of force to remove the unit from a vehicle or other metal object. The base comes with three rubber boots to help protect your vehicle from scratches and an adapter is included to convert the PL-259 to a BNC connection.
The HF-008 portable HF antenna covers 8 different amateur radio bands between 80 and 6 meters. SWR is stated to be between 1.0:1 and 1.5:1 on the various bands. The antenna can be packed down to under 31 inches for truly portable operation. Weight is 23 ounces.
The HF-008 comes in five pieces. The main coil unit, two whips, one 30.7 inches long and the other 22.4 inches long, a 12.5 inch long whip extender and a jumper unit with banana plugs on each end. Also included is a small allen key and instructions for tuning and adjusting the antenna.
At the base of the antenna is PL-259, or UHF male connection. This screws into the SO-239 connection on the magnet mount base. The PL-259 can also be removed, exposing a ⅜ inch x 24 male thread that can be used for other mounting situations. I’ll show you how to do that later in the video.
No counterpoise or radial system is included with the antenna. It is intended to be operated from the magnet base which uses your vehicle as a ground plane. But using an alternate mounting system, you could add a counterpoise if you choose.
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