Mobile HF for expedition travel outside of USA/Canada

[cruiser guy]

I understand that these need to be mounted as close as possible to the base of the antenna but what happens in a mobile situation? I can mount mine right at the antenna base by hanging it under the winch bumper (out of sight from crooks) but then I need a weathertight tuner which is more $$. Will I notice a degradation in performance if the tuner is mounted under the dash with a 4-5' coax to the antenna base?
The HF is primarily for security when I'm in the middle of nowhere Central America and need help (it hasn't happened yet but who knows). At least I'll be able to contact someone who could contact the embassy etc. etc. The HF will not be used frequently but it MUST work when I need it to.
This will be used in conjuction with the all band Icom 706 which will also have a separate 2/0.70 meter antenna as well.

 

[gary in ohio]

YOU might look at license issues for every country you enter. WHAT service do you plan on using? Ham radio? Well a canadian license is usable in the US with no paperwork, that not the same in every country and just having the radio without a license my be illegal in some countries. Getting a license in every country would be time consuming and sometimes difficult.

In regardes to antenna needing to be close to radio, thats depends on how your coupling the antenna to the radio. If your using an auto tuner then the connection from the output of the auto tuner to the antenna should be as short as possible. The connection from the radio to the auto tuner really doesnt matter. If your connecting a coax line (balanced) from the radio a balanaced and pre-tuned antenna then the coax legnth doesnt matter.