Yes I searched! There may be threads that answer exactly my question too...But if so, I'm too dense to understand the details.
Yes, I'm a complete radio neophyte, but plan to get a radio in my truck, and take the test to get licensed.
I'm a planner. So I plan to get a dual band 2m/70cm mobile for the truck and I'm wondering what would be the best antenna arrangement. For the most part, I'm sure there's no right answer for everyone because everyone has a different vehicle and different priorities.
My priority will be radio performance. Unfortunately some thought has to be given to low clearance and parking garages.
I would consider getting 2 antennas though...one for best performance in open territory and one that can be used daily that would survive parking garages for instance. ( or 4 antennas if I should have a separate one for each band)
I have a Pathfinder with a roof rack. There is still open roof-top area where I could mount antennas, but how 'directional' would the antenna(s) become if they are towards the front of the roof rather than center?
How much performance loss is there putting an antenna on the front fender versus that same antenna on the roof?
If I get a very flexible whip, are there performance losses between that design and any other antenna types of the same length? If so, how much?
Should I get a dual band antenna like the Larsen 2/70? Or should I get 2 separate antennas for 2m and 70cm? (and if so, what's involved in doing that?)
Would mounting to my roof rack give good performance? I assume it would compromise radio performance, so won't try it unless it's possible for it to work very well perhaps by carefully bonding the rack to the roof?
I can read about all the options, but what I'm missing in those discussions is anything quantifying the loss in radio performance from each option. Most people seem to be considering convenience and durability and just feel that "good enough is good enough". Seems to me that I should optimize the radio's performance.
Advice?
Thanks.
Yes, I'm a complete radio neophyte, but plan to get a radio in my truck, and take the test to get licensed.
I'm a planner. So I plan to get a dual band 2m/70cm mobile for the truck and I'm wondering what would be the best antenna arrangement. For the most part, I'm sure there's no right answer for everyone because everyone has a different vehicle and different priorities.
My priority will be radio performance. Unfortunately some thought has to be given to low clearance and parking garages.
I would consider getting 2 antennas though...one for best performance in open territory and one that can be used daily that would survive parking garages for instance. ( or 4 antennas if I should have a separate one for each band)
I have a Pathfinder with a roof rack. There is still open roof-top area where I could mount antennas, but how 'directional' would the antenna(s) become if they are towards the front of the roof rather than center?
How much performance loss is there putting an antenna on the front fender versus that same antenna on the roof?
If I get a very flexible whip, are there performance losses between that design and any other antenna types of the same length? If so, how much?
Should I get a dual band antenna like the Larsen 2/70? Or should I get 2 separate antennas for 2m and 70cm? (and if so, what's involved in doing that?)
Would mounting to my roof rack give good performance? I assume it would compromise radio performance, so won't try it unless it's possible for it to work very well perhaps by carefully bonding the rack to the roof?
I can read about all the options, but what I'm missing in those discussions is anything quantifying the loss in radio performance from each option. Most people seem to be considering convenience and durability and just feel that "good enough is good enough". Seems to me that I should optimize the radio's performance.
Advice?
Thanks.