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Comet SBB-244NMO offroad?

Hedge said:
Would this be as simple as trimming the 2/70 plus spring combination back down to the original overall height before the addition of the spring? I am unable to find a cutting chart for the NMO2/70B on the Larsen website.
Click to expand...

Correct...

As for the coil in the middle of my Larsen 2/70, I used a piece of heatshrink to cover the coil so it wouldn't get caught on branches and rip up or dent up my through-roof NMO mount.

If you want help on this, Trump, let me know, my 4runner is already set up in the manner you're looking to do yours.
 
Tennmogger said:
Why use a Chinese made antenna (like Diamond and Comet) when you can get a tough USA made brand like Larsen? I have been abusing Larsen antennas for quite a few years, and have seen some imported antennas destroyed on the first encounter with trails.

my 2c,

Bob
WB4ETT
Click to expand...

I've been abusing Larsen antennas on and off road for decades now. My current rig sports a KG-2/70 on the driver's side rear quarter window that's taken a crap ton of limb strikes and just keeps on going. I previously had another KG-2/70 and a KG-220 (1.25cm) on the windshield of my Jeep and never had a lick of trouble with them either.

They're built tougher than nails.
 
4RunAmok said:
Correct...

As for the coil in the middle of my Larsen 2/70, I used a piece of heatshrink to cover the coil so it wouldn't get caught on branches and rip up or dent up my through-roof NMO mount.

If you want help on this, Trump, let me know, my 4runner is already set up in the manner you're looking to do yours.
Click to expand...

Careful with the heat shrink trick, It might work in CA, but get into snow and ice country and it will cause issues.
 
Ludedude said:
I've been abusing Larsen antennas on and off road for decades now. My current rig sports a KG-2/70 on the driver's side rear quarter window that's taken a crap ton of limb strikes and just keeps on going. I previously had another KG-2/70 and a KG-220 (1.25cm) on the windshield of my Jeep and never had a lick of trouble with them either.

They're built tougher than nails.
Click to expand...

I'm not so worried about the coil or the antenna. I drilled through the top of my 4runner, and put an NMO mount up there, so I'm worried about the antenna getting caught and bending my roof, or tearing out the mount.
 
I've used the 3M marine grade heat shrink over the plastic load coils without any problems. It is the much thicker adhesive lined tubing...once it's on...it's on for life. It provides a seal like no other heatshrink. I've used it in snow and ice conditions numerous times for extended periods in the Sierras, Southern Idaho and Central Nevada. The only problem I experienced was unrelated to the heatshrink. The setscrew on one of the coils had loosened and I had to cut through the heatshrink and dig out some adhesive to access and retighten the setscrew.
 
Well it just posted, so I'm KJ6NKB. Hopefully finish up getting this setup sorted out and be on the air soon.

BTW that's a pretty cool tip about the coils... anything to reduce snagging the antenna.
 
trump said:
I want 2/70 for the road. Really, I don't have a need for the 1.25m, but I'm going to have the capability. I'm the kind of guy that wants to be able to use anything I put in the truck, so its more of a just in case. It's starting to sound like the best thing to do is either carry another antenna or use two seperate antennas.
Click to expand...
I understand that, I have stupid expensive quad band antenna for my FT-8900. And there are like three other people on the planet I can talk to on 6M FM.:bike_rider:

Probably more like three, a dual band rubber duck for trail use, a 2M whip for caravaning on long trips in open terrain where the group gets spread out, and a dual band for highway use. If you find a need for 1.25M you can add taht to the pile.

Here is the solution I came up with to store the unused antennas.
All of this stuff is from Home Depot, they sell 4' sections of ABS sewer pipe. The foam is pipe insulation, I just picked the size that made a tight fit inside the sewer pipe. The foam stops the antenna from rattling while driving.
DSCN1489.jpg


DSCN1486.jpg


DSCN1487.jpg


This is the 2M comet I took off on driving into the garage and the stupid expensive quad band antenna I never use.
DSCN1490.jpg
 
trump said:
Well it just posted, so I'm KJ6NKB. Hopefully finish up getting this setup sorted out and be on the air soon.

BTW that's a pretty cool tip about the coils... anything to reduce snagging the antenna.
Click to expand...

Congrats on your new ticket!
 
I just got the SSB-7 (Not NMO) and I have really been enjoying it. I was talking to a guy 200 miles away on it from a ridge top the other day. The higher gain is noticeable both in a good way when you are in the open and in a bad way trying to reach out of a canyon. It is tall and while I have used it on forest service roads I would swap it or lay it over for true trail use. Its much more flexible than some others I have used and it does ok in the low limbs. It hits stuff on my driveway every day if I am using it, but I have only had it for a few months so I cant really speak to its long term ruggedness. I make sure to always have at least two antennas in my jeep cause the one time you need it you know you are going to break it. My philosophy is that antennas like anything will break if you bang then enough times, so I'm more concerned with how well they work than the ultimate in rugged. That said I don't guess I'd buy another one if it broke with first contact to trees.
Enjoy your new ticket
KJ6EUO
 
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