CB's on Land Rover

[overlander]

Reading through some of the manufacturer sites and these threads, I'm trying to make the right antennas choice to optimize my range, but keep running into specific guidance for boats, RV's and other non-steel bodied vehicles to use a no-ground-plane antenna system. Given that land rovers have steel undercarriages but aluminum bodies, and knowing that I intend to have my antenna on the front ARB bumper (as in picture), I'm looking for guidance on if I need to switch to a NGB antenna system or not. I currently have a firestick fiberglass whip on it transferred from my old jeep, but it is worn out and needs replacing. Comments?

 

[overlander]

Calling all SME's! Anybody?

 

[mightymike]

Mark-We need to get together and talk about going with Ham instead of CB....I took the test a few months ago and there are a lot of good repeaters in our area. I used the online tests to study and had no problem at all. There is a Hamfest in Shebly next weekend, I am going to go on Saturday afternoon.

Sorry-I cannot offer any technical advice ref the antenna.

Mike

 

[overlander]

I'll definitely be going HAM 2 meter at some point. That would be additional to CB however. club events still mostly use CB for trail rides, and CB is still the mothod to figure out why traffic is not moving.

 

[Dmarchand]

Yes on the NGD. You will be much better off with any Defender especially when you are relying on the hood being the ground plane (which is aluminum). If you had it on the roof, you might do okay. I still run a redundant CB and HAM setup purely for safety sake since most of my clubs still roll with CB's although that is evolving.

 

[SMD]

Concur, especially since you're in NC. If you're planning to do any organized group events out there you'll need CB or FRS.

I use the 2' Firestik no-ground plane antenna mounted to the top, rear of my Hannibal rack. Very easy set-up and very good short-range comms.