2m / 70cm antenna?

[wandererr]

Ugh..... This is the fourth try..... I have killed the first two antennas pulling my jeep into the garage: my bad, it's usually parked outside and while in a hurry to do some maintenance before a trip, I've sheared some antennas in the past. The third one's demise was caused by a low hanging branch that took the antenna down in a really strategic spot....

Anyways, I'm ready for a new antenna. Requirements? Reasonably priced (as no matter how I mount it, I still have to count on branches wanting to kill it ), probably pl259 for a mount (to match my existing base) though not opposed to going the NMO route if there is a good mount suggested with it Oh yeah, since it's going on top of the jeep, there is plenty ways for me to mount it and I'm not opposed to fabbing something either.

Tx

 

[xtatik]

Ugh..... This is the fourth try..... I have killed the first two antennas pulling my jeep into the garage: my bad, it's usually parked outside and while in a hurry to do some maintenance before a trip, I've sheared some antennas in the past. The third one's demise was caused by a low hanging branch that took the antenna down in a really strategic spot....

Anyways, I'm ready for a new antenna. Requirements? Reasonably priced (as no matter how I mount it, I still have to count on branches wanting to kill it ), probably pl259 for a mount (to match my existing base) though not opposed to going the NMO route if there is a good mount suggested with it Oh yeah, since it's going on top of the jeep, there is plenty ways for me to mount it and I'm not opposed to fabbing something either.

Tx

Get the antenna off of the roof. Having an antenna is the important thing here. It's not likely you'd notice an appreciable or audible difference in performance on FM. Mount the antenna lower and closer to the drivers side where you can see it in your side mirror. This will allow you to work it around obstacles on the trail. Much cheaper in the long run and it will work just fine. Once you've done this, you can pick just about any reasonably sized dualbander and actually keep it for a while.

 

[1911]

If you can live with 2M only and an NMO mount, get a Sti-co Flexi-whip cop antenna and trim it for 1/4-wave on 2M. You will not be able to break that one, it will just bend. You can tie it in a knot. I have one and always carry it with me when I get into trees or other low-clearance situations.

http://www.sti-co.com/antenna-products/public-safety-antennas/flexi-whip

 

[Mashurst]

I haven't broken any but I have the same basic problem. Why doesn't anyone make a descent pl259, duel band, that will put up with trees and garages? I may have to start making them myself.

 

[SP Jon M3]

Diamond NR770HB

I have a Diamond NR770HB installed on my truck. And it's held up very well against trees and garages (hate it when I forget to lower it). It has the ability to be moved 90deg when you have a clearance issues.

 

[rambrush]

I also run the 770 with great results so far

 

[DaveInDenver]

If you can live with 2M only and an NMO mount, get a Sti-co Flexi-whip cop antenna and trim it for 1/4-wave on 2M. You will not be able to break that one, it will just bend. You can tie it in a knot. I have one and always carry it with me when I get into trees or other low-clearance situations.

http://www.sti-co.com/antenna-products/public-safety-antennas/flexi-whip

So Lee, where did you get yours? I checked their website and only one outlet in Colorado, way down in the Springs and next to no online outlets. I'd like to put some eyes on one, since I only need an NMO version, no mount or anything.

 

[bj70_guy]

I use the Larsen NMO 2/70 with a spring at the base of the whip. Never a problem with trees, brush, etc.
Cut the whip the equivalent length of the spring and away you go.

 

[1911]

So Lee, where did you get yours? I checked their website and only one outlet in Colorado, way down in the Springs and next to no online outlets. I'd like to put some eyes on one, since I only need an NMO version, no mount or anything.

Dave, I found a local (to me in Tejas) commercial radio dealer who could special order one for me. They were not used to selling to an individual but I talked them into it. I will take a photo of mine for you tomorrow. I was just in Denver a couple of weeks ago; I will be back in July if you want to see it in the flesh then.

EDIT: here is the only picture I can find of it tonight, mounted on my 40 spare tire mount. There is not enough ground plane back there for 1/4-wave though, it works way better on the roof of my FJC. Picture does not really do it justice; it is thin, short, and extremely flexible. The base is just barely big enough to screw on to the NMO mount.

More photos of the antenna itself. 12" engineer scale and HP11C calculator for photographic scale.

 

[HenryJ]

I run a duplexer and two 1/4 wave whips.

 

[4x4mike]

I run a duplexer and two 1/4 wave whips.

Do you have more info on your antennas and mount. I like how clean that mount looks. I'm currently trying to clean up my roof but have run into problems because of a sunroof and the rack options looks nice. Looks like I'd be able to get rid of my coax on the roof and be out of the way of the sunroof.

 

[4RunAmok]

I have a Diamond NMO mount drilled through my roof right behind the sunroof on my 99 4runner, and the sunroof clears it just fine. And I run the Larsen NMO2/70. It's been bent over almost 90 degrees and just fine. I have heat shrink over the coil in the antenna so it doesn't get caught on trees.

 

[4x4mike]

I have a Diamond NMO mount drilled through my roof right behind the sunroof on my 99 4runner, and the sunroof clears it just fine. And I run the Larsen NMO2/70. It's been bent over almost 90 degrees and just fine. I have heat shrink over the coil in the antenna so it doesn't get caught on trees.

You have a PM.

 

[wheelerdh]

I've got a Comet SS-460SBNMO on a NMO mount on my 4Runner. Wheeled with it, never had a problem!

Used to have a Comet SBB-2NMO on the NMO, WAY too brittle for wheeling, sold it for the above.

 

[Mashurst]

How long have you been using it and how much abuse have you given it. I have been thinking about getting one of those for day to day use and keeping my bigger higher gain one as a backup or in case I need more mountain top range.