Q. How do I determine the model of Yankee antenna that will best suit my purposes?

A. The 10-80 is designed to cover the frequencies from 10M to 80M. If you desire minimum visual impact to your vehicle, and want high performance within these bands, this model should be your choice. The 10-160 provides a greater range of operation, and is capable of handling more power; but it is physically larger and heavier.

Q. How much input will the 10-160 antenna take?

A. The 10-160 will easily take a full KW pep. As with all circuits, however, you should have the antenna resonant before feeding it that much. You wouldn't tune up your radio under full power, would you? We know of hams who are running the limit on AM through these antennas with no problems.

Q. Will you tell me how the components of the Yankee compare with those of the (Brand "X") antenna I am now running?

A. Our Yankee has superior components in every aspect. The coil form is military spec garolite, the can is stainless steel, and the drive system sports a 28 volt motor that should last forever on 12-14 volts.

Q. Where is the best location to mount my Yankee antenna?

A. It's always best to do the mounting in free air space, away from vertical metal surfaces and other antennas. If you run an 18-wheeler with dual CB antennas, do away with one of them, and mount your Yankee on the mirror, by itself. This will also improve the performance of your CB antenna. On pickups, the bed rail or bed box behind the cab is always a good choice. For passenger cars, a strong trunk lip mount will provide a location that gets your signal out. Vans and SUV's often present the necessity of a bumper mount; in that application it is recommended that you fabricate a mount which will raise the antenna vertically so that the top of the Yankee is as close to the roofline as possible. Rooftop mag mounts will work, but that places the antenna in jeopardy from low-hanging objects.

Q. What type and length of whip should I use?

A. Our recommendation is a stainless steel whip on a base spring. The length will vary depending upon which bands you prefer to work. Most Yankee users go with a 6' length for maximum versatility. However, we know of several who use the 4' fiberglass CB type antenna very successfully. We can advise you on your specific application.

Q. How is the tuning of the antenna achieved from inside my vehicle?

A. With a small controller switch -- up and down -- that is supplied with each antenna. Most after-market automatic controllers are completely compatible with the Yankee, but few of our customers have decided to add them since the Yankee tunes so quickly and easily.

Q. I cannot get the antenna to tune both ends of its intended frequency range; what is the solution?

A. Both models of the Yankee antenna are designed to cover the full frequency range as stated above, but will require different whip lengths to accomplish the two extremes of their limits. You will need to decide which bands you prefer to work and use the appropriate length of whip. For example, 10M, 12M, 15M, 17M and 20M can be tuned very nicely with a 4' whip; 17M, 20M, 40M and 80M can be covered well with a 102" whip. For maximum versatility, you may elect to carry an extra whip (longer or shorter) in order to increase your operating range.

Q. After installing my Yankee, I am experiencing some RF problems. What is the cause of this, and how do I solve the problem?

A. You may have created this problem through your choice of whip, the routing or length of your wiring, or improper grounding. We strongly recommend 20' of coax, with any excess loosely bundled, NOT COILED. Following this guideline will prevent most RF, but if any remains, ferrite beads, installed in the system at any potential problem source, will eliminate it. Since each installation is unique to the owner and vehicle, a phone call to us may be necessary in order to pinpoint a cause & solution. We are always happy to help you troubleshoot your installation of our product!

Q. Can you tell me more about the tech specifications of the antenna?

A. Because our company is, to date, a small facility, with limited test data, we have not produced a tech manual, but instead rely on the performance reports we receive from our customers. Many have tried most other brands of mobile antennas, and they tell us that the Yankee out-performs the others hands down. Plus, they prefer the compact size and appearance, with its high degree of finish.

Q. Can you send me a schematic for your antenna?

A. Due to the developmental evolution of the Yankee, we have not found it necessary to produce a schematic at this time. Also, and most importantly, each installation is unique, due to the variances in makes & models of vehicles, brand & model of radio, mounting location, and any added accessories the user has chosen. Complete installation & user instructions are included with each antenna. Any ensuing questions which are unique to your own installation can best be answered by a phone call to Tom.

For additional installation tips, pay a visit to our New Yankee Pics page to see some of our customers' ideas!