Passed my test...:)...Looking at radios.
- Thread starter mmtoy
- Start date
DaveInDenver
Middle Income Semi-Redneck
Since you don't have to deal with the height: Larsen NMO 2/70C. One of the better made all-around antennas.
I asked about a garage because if you have to park it daily inside something with a low clearance one of the fold-over antennas are nice. I have a Comet C767 and it's handy with the fold-over.
I asked about a garage because if you have to park it daily inside something with a low clearance one of the fold-over antennas are nice. I have a Comet C767 and it's handy with the fold-over.
DaktariEd
2005, 2006 Tech Course Champion: Expedition Trophy
Yup...I like the fold-over feature. It's definitely a must for my garage.
Check out the link in my earlier post to see it....Yaesu + Comet
Check out the link in my earlier post to see it....Yaesu + Comet
mmtoy said:
I've played around with a bunch of radios and antenna options, with an emphasis on offroad travel. My OPINION is that the Larsen whip style antennas are the best combo of tough, cheap and high quality.
If you get a Larsen whip, it will bend down to base height without damage, and for even more flex, Larsen sells a calibrated spring that makes it even harder to damage. One other advantage, is that if you do damage or loose the whip, new ones are available for $12.
I have used Comet antennas as well-they are very well made, but even with the fold over option they are a bit of a pain. The SBB25 I have is the best antenna I have as far as signal is concerned, but it isn't that flexible and really is unusable off road. It's great on the highway, though. I also have Comet SBB1 dual band, that is supremely flexible, but since it's short and a 1/4 wave antenna anyway, the performance suffers.
Realize that you will change your mind, and your idea of what you want, ten times before you get down to what you really like. I have come to accept that as normal, but my wife has not....:violent-smiley-031:
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crawler#976
Expedition Leader
I'm very pleased with the Larsen NMO 2/C thru roof mounted antenna on the Taco.
I'd had mag mounts in the past, and now have the chafe marks on the roof to prove it...
I'd had mag mounts in the past, and now have the chafe marks on the roof to prove it...
Cabrito
I come in Peace
crawler#976 said:
True - I just checked the Saab and although there are no marks from the magmount there is still a mark from the cable that went across the roof into the car. The MFJ magmounts I use don't move around up there but it is a real concern for a nice car or nice paint job.
-mg
mmtoy--If you have not purchased your new radio yet, you could consider just a good single band radio. They really are not much over $100. That will allow you to get your feet wet, use the radio on a bunch of runs, and figure out all the options as far as antenna mounting and the like. Not to mention, they are generally much easier to program and use. Most of the actual chat is on 2m anyway, and if you decide to sell your radio in a year, there are always other newbies who will snap it up.
They recently had a sale at gigaparts with FT2800s selling for $107 which was the deal of the year for a really great radio. Just something to consider.
They recently had a sale at gigaparts with FT2800s selling for $107 which was the deal of the year for a really great radio. Just something to consider.
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DaveInDenver
Middle Income Semi-Redneck
Good advice, but one reason to go with something like a 7800 is the remote face. I personally haven't split my radio face, but some people find that makes mounting easier.AndrewP said:
mmtoy
Adventurer
Thanks, AndrewP. I'm still considering my options, so I haven't purchased a radio yet. The cost is up to about $350 with 7800, antenna, mount, etc. That's pretty expensive for a new hobby, so I'm still unsure of whether I can really push the pocket book that hard.
The remote mount is a huge plus. I have no place to mount the radio if I can't split the face.
But...
Saving $150 or more sure would help... In the short-term anyway. I just don't want to regret the purchase in six months or a year and then spend the money to replace everything so soon. Of course, I could put the single band in the Prius and claim it's for my wife's security.
Hmm.
Still looking....
The remote mount is a huge plus. I have no place to mount the radio if I can't split the face.
But...
Saving $150 or more sure would help... In the short-term anyway. I just don't want to regret the purchase in six months or a year and then spend the money to replace everything so soon. Of course, I could put the single band in the Prius and claim it's for my wife's security.
Hmm. Still looking....
texas taco
Adventurer
X2 I am a new ham also. I have the 7800 with larsen DB antenna nd so far i like it. It makes a clean install which is a very big plus...
mmtoy said:
When I got my first radio (an FT2800 BTW) I also got a Wilson mag mount. That set up ROCKED, and was easy to install. The Wilson 2m antenna is 5/8 wave(good) has a nice magnet and good coax. You could do a lot worse.
Since then I've changed the antenna mount several times. I'm partial to the K400 mounts from Diamond, mounted on the rear hatch, but that's more $ you can spend later.
On my FJ40, I made my own mount, which I welded to the roll bar which cost about $2 in materials and $35 for a Larsen antenna. There are lots of options, and you won't find what's best for you for a while.
crawler#976
Expedition Leader
I've bought all my radios from Universal Radio. The service was great, pricing is very competitive, and not paying local tax more than made up for the shipping charge.
http://universal-radio.com
Yaesu FT-7800R $249.95
Larsen NMO 2/70B $59.95
NMO thru roof 3/4" mount $12.95
--------------------------------------
Total not including Shipping $322.85
...and that includes a free separation kit for the radio, and $10.00 coupon from Yaesu!
http://universal-radio.com
Yaesu FT-7800R $249.95
Larsen NMO 2/70B $59.95
NMO thru roof 3/4" mount $12.95
--------------------------------------
Total not including Shipping $322.85
...and that includes a free separation kit for the radio, and $10.00 coupon from Yaesu!
mmtoy
Adventurer
No, I have not made up my mind. I'm a cheap b-----d who also wants high quality and perfection the first time.
I'm looking at the following:
Crawler#976's suggestion:
Yaesu FT-7800R $249.95
Larsen NMO 2/70B $59.95
NMO thru roof 3/4" mount $12.95
--------------------------------------
Total not including Shipping $322.85
or, from hamcity.com
Comet SBB-5NMO $47.95
Yaesu FT-7800R + YSK-7800 $234.95
Larsen NMO-MMR Magnet Mount $30.95
--------------------------------------
Total not including shipping $313.85
[edit]: Just realized that I also need a remote speaker or a connection through the oem stereo system. Ugh. Another $15 dollars at least... [/edit]
Can I mate a Larsen mount to a Comet antenna? Hamcity doesn't sell the Larsen antennas and I want a magnet mount for testing placement satisfaction (and they don't have a Comet mag mount). The same mount from universal would add another $20 to their cost, making it $30 more than hamcity (not much in absolute value, but ~10% more). (see how cheap I am?)
I've decided to go with the dual band because I need to remote mount the radio chassis; there's no good place for it up front. I don't want the radio to get in the way or damaged, so the price premium is probably worth it...
Another, related question. I don't have a SWR meter, and I'm not ready to spend another $50+ on one. What to do? Is there a relatively reasonably priced SWR meter available? Should I fab up my own (I've got some experience with electronic circuits, but it would probably take me a few nights to get it just right)? would that be cost-effective?
I'm looking at the following:
Crawler#976's suggestion:
Yaesu FT-7800R $249.95
Larsen NMO 2/70B $59.95
NMO thru roof 3/4" mount $12.95
--------------------------------------
Total not including Shipping $322.85
or, from hamcity.com
Comet SBB-5NMO $47.95
Yaesu FT-7800R + YSK-7800 $234.95
Larsen NMO-MMR Magnet Mount $30.95
--------------------------------------
Total not including shipping $313.85
[edit]: Just realized that I also need a remote speaker or a connection through the oem stereo system. Ugh. Another $15 dollars at least...
[/edit]Can I mate a Larsen mount to a Comet antenna? Hamcity doesn't sell the Larsen antennas and I want a magnet mount for testing placement satisfaction (and they don't have a Comet mag mount). The same mount from universal would add another $20 to their cost, making it $30 more than hamcity (not much in absolute value, but ~10% more). (see how cheap I am?)
I've decided to go with the dual band because I need to remote mount the radio chassis; there's no good place for it up front. I don't want the radio to get in the way or damaged, so the price premium is probably worth it...
Another, related question. I don't have a SWR meter, and I'm not ready to spend another $50+ on one. What to do? Is there a relatively reasonably priced SWR meter available? Should I fab up my own (I've got some experience with electronic circuits, but it would probably take me a few nights to get it just right)? would that be cost-effective?
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