New Install

[cumminscruiser]

I just bought a couple of Yaesu FT2800 ham radios one for my FJ40 and the other for my FJ60. I have not bought antennas yet, would like to get some help here, also ideas on where to mount the antennas.

One other thing is where to take the test around Sacramento, CA.

Thanks

 

[93BLAZER]

Wait til "Gary in Ohio" chimes in.


He will know. I use a Larsen NMO antenna on with my 8900.

 

[SunTzuNephew]

Ditto on the Larson 5/8 wave NMO mount antennas... mounted in the center of the roof.

 

[cumminscruiser]

On the FJ40 the roof is removable and fiberglass, my FJ60 has a roof rack but I could mount it on the rack.

 

[4x4mike]

A question regarding these Larson antennas and hard mount. I am new to HAM and have no experience. Will mounting one of these Larson antennas on the roof give it the necessary ground plane? What about in the OP description? Would a small bracket mounted to a fender or hood work?

I have a full bodied rig and would like to run a similar antenna but worry about hitting the antenna on trees, etc. Would the performance be adversely effected by mounting the antenna lower than the top of the roof. I have a 2800m radio.

Sorry for the hijack but had a similar question and hoped to expand on it. Plus I'm in Sacramento as well and would be interested in hooking up with a new HAM. I'm totally green on the subject and am still studying.

 

[gary in ohio]

Wait til "Gary in Ohio" chimes in.
He will know. I use a Larsen NMO antenna on with my 8900.

Hmm,, Guess this is my opening.... Depending on what your range requirements are I would suggest a good larsens . THe larsen NMO150 is a good 5/8 antenna but is over 4ft tall and might be a big large for roof mounting on an tree lined offroadavdenture, You might also want to look at also getting the NMOq, its 1/4 less than 2ft long and might be better for roof mount when offroad then switch to the 5/8 when in open country.

One of the best 2m antennas is the Hustler G7, (now called the CGT-144)
Its over 7ft tall, 5/8 over 5/8 but will need to be ball and spring mounted on the side of a vehicle. For offroad it may need to be guyed..

Gary

 

[NorCalLC]

I just bought a couple of Yaesu FT2800 ham radios one for my FJ40 and the other for my FJ60. I have not bought antennas yet, would like to get some help here, also ideas on where to mount the antennas.

One other thing is where to take the test around Sacramento, CA.

Thanks

My buddy is doing a class soon and he's around the Wheatland CA area. I'll touch base with him and get back to you with dates and locations.

 

[NorCalLC]

A question regarding these Larson antennas and hard mount. I am new to HAM and have no experience. Will mounting one of these Larson antennas on the roof give it the necessary ground plane? What about in the OP description? Would a small bracket mounted to a fender or hood work?

I have a full bodied rig and would like to run a similar antenna but worry about hitting the antenna on trees, etc. Would the performance be adversely effected by mounting the antenna lower than the top of the roof. I have a 2800m radio.

Sorry for the hijack but had a similar question and hoped to expand on it. Plus I'm in Sacramento as well and would be interested in hooking up with a new HAM. I'm totally green on the subject and am still studying.

I'm new to HAM also and currently studying for my test. My buddy is pretty knowledgeable and he could help with info. We should get together for a cold brew.

PM me

 

[cumminscruiser]

Antenna

Gary in Ohio, Well Yea you came highly recomended, the CGT-144 looks like the antenna for me. One of our cruisers already has the mounting hole on the side and I don't have to drill through the top.

If I remember correctly with CB antennas if you put the antenna on the left side of the car reception was better towards the right so it was important to center the antenna in the middle of the sheetmetal top for best all around reception. Is this also the case for Ham radio antennas?

 

[gary in ohio]

Gary in Ohio, Well Yea you came highly recomended, the CGT-144 looks like the antenna for me. One of our cruisers already has the mounting hole on the side and I don't have to drill through the top.

If I remember correctly with CB antennas if you put the antenna on the left side of the car reception was better towards the right so it was important to center the antenna in the middle of the sheet metal top for best all around reception. Is this also the case for Ham radio antennas?

Like a well placed gun shot, The best place for an antenna is center mass.
Unless your on the roof the omni directional pattern will be affected. The pattern will depend on the mounting location and vehicle. An antenna on the left side would typically favor to the left and rear (away from the vehicle).

 

[smeghead]

A question regarding these Larson antennas and hard mount. I am new to HAM and have no experience. Will mounting one of these Larson antennas on the roof give it the necessary ground plane? What about in the OP description? Would a small bracket mounted to a fender or hood work?
<remainder of post snipped>

I am new to the group, but a long time ham. You mentioned that you had a fiberglass roof. Antennas of 1/4 or 5/8 wavelength do require a ground. Antennas of 1/2 wavelength do not.

However the 1/2 wave antennas radiate a very "ball like" pattern so they are useful if you want to work satellites, but do not have the lower pattern of the 5/8 wave. However as I mentioned 5/8 and 1/4 wave need grounds.

To make a ground for a fiberglass roof, go to a good marine store (west marine for example) and get some 3" wide copper tape. This heavy duty copper tape is used for a variety of marine applications. You will put it on the inside of the roof in pieces 20" long radiating out from the NMO mount. 8 radials will do the job. Be sure they all contact the ground side of the NMO mount.

Then get both the 1/4 wave and 5/8 wave antennas. They screw on easily. The 5/8 wave will provide much better communication but bang against overhead obstructions. But it is very flexible and will not be damaged. However in really bad overhead conditions you can switch to the 1/4 wave which is only 19" long. The 5/8 is about 40 or so. I am guessing as I don't have one handy to measure. You will notice a great deal of difference between the 1/4 and 5/8 wave antennas. However the 1/4 will provide adequate coverage in urban or most semi-rural areas where there are close by repeaters. But there is a big difference when you are a long way from the repeater.

Antennas can be mounted on the hood or fender, but the resulting pattern will be skewed in an unpredictable way.

Mounting an antenna on a rail (roof rack etc.) will provide a very poor radiation pattern with lots of lobes shooting off in weird directions. It may also change the tuning of the antenna which will result is further degradation of the signal.

Hope that helps.

Smeghead.

 

[cumminscruiser]

New install

Thats good info, most of the radio use will be between vehicles while off road. The problem with roof mounting on the FJ40s is that the roof comes off frequently especially during the summer.

 

[AndrewP]

I welded a tab to the rollbar of my 40 and run a 1/2 wave Larson stainless whip. It's their NMO150 1/2 wave. I formerly had a 5/8 wave antenna but was never happy with the radio performance. The 1/2 wave has been very satisfactory.

I'm doing a permanent mount on my 60 now and will use a through the roof NMO mount with a 5/8 Larsen whip with a spring in the base so it can fold easily when it hits tree branches. I used a lip mount on the rear hatch for my 80 series. That has worked well for years-again I use and really like the Larsen steel whip antennas.

I took my general exam at the Elks lodge in Carmichael. I think one of the local clubs does an exam there every 3 months. Nice bunch of guys but the youngest member was about 75! There is also a fairly regular exam at the Davis library.

Try this: http://www.arrl.org/find-an-amateur-radio-license-exam-session

 

[cumminscruiser]

Is there any problem with mounting this radio inside of a Tuffy Box?