I have used a Tarheel 400, I have also used Hamsticks and loaded a 102” whip using a tuner. Realistically I find they all work about the same, it is just the ease of use factor that changes.
Hamsticks are cheap and easy. Of course, you need one for each band you want to work and you must change them as you change bands. Most of my mobile HF requires one of four antennas (80, 40, 20, 12/10, last covered by a 102” whip). So not a huge deal. A tuner is required to flatten out the antenna. Even if you can get it tuned to a good SWR where you want it the acceptable SWR will be pretty narrow banded, especially at lower freqs like 80 meters. A tuner can stretch a Hamstick to the full band, depending on the specifics of the tuner.
The Tarheel is great, never have to go outside, never have to change the antenna. But, still need a auto tuner in the radio to flatten out the response. Or you have to tweak the Tarheel every time you change freqs.
And a good tuner can work a 102” whip on almost any band you want.
On either one of my 4x4s (both with Kenwood TS-2000x radios and RS-2000 remote control heads) I prefer the Hamstick or the 102” whip route. The heavy off-road use has damaged Tarheels for me. The Hamsticks and whips are much more robust, less to break. And low cost, break one throw it away and get another. I store the unused ones inside a PVC tube strapped to the overhead rack. On my wife’s SUV that never goes off-road I prefer the screwdriver antenna.
T!
