distance needed between ham/stereo antennas?

[hillbillyjake]

i have been looking for a suitable location for my ham antenna on my 89 4 runner. i don't want it on the drivers side because it seems to be a distraction but the am/fm stereo antenna is ont he other side in close proximity to where i would like to mount my ham antenna.

how far apart do my ham and am/fm stereo antennas need to be apart from each other to avoid interfernce? i am also asssuming there would be interference. if i mounted the ham antenna where i wanted it would be about 3" from the radio. will this work or not? thanks

 

[xtatik]

i have been looking for a suitable location for my ham antenna on my 89 4 runner. i don't want it on the drivers side because it seems to be a distraction but the am/fm stereo antenna is ont he other side in close proximity to where i would like to mount my ham antenna.

how far apart do my ham and am/fm stereo antennas need to be apart from each other to avoid interfernce? i am also asssuming there would be interference. if i mounted the ham antenna where i wanted it would be about 3" from the radio. will this work or not? thanks

A "ham antenna" can be many things. What type/band of antenna is it?

 

[jwhutch]

I have always heard, and tried to keep the antennas 1/4 wavelength apart. For 2m that would be a 19".

 

[gary in ohio]

Really going depend on the band and power level. For a typical 50watt VHF/UHF radio I would want a foot or so. ON a vehicle is pretty hard to get any separation on antennas.

 

[hillbillyjake]

yeasu 7800; larsen 2m/70cm in a comet adjustable mount. 50 watts on 2m and 40 on 70cm.

 

[w squared]

Have you considered the roof? You'll probably get better performance out of the antenna if it's up there (much better RF ground), and you'll have plenty of separation.

If you have a hood seam mount, you could also mount it further forward from the FM antenna.

 

[hillbillyjake]

considered the roof, but dont want to drilll a hole. i think that i am goin gto move a little closer to the front bumper away from the radio antenna. thanks guys.

 

[gary in ohio]

WHile a hole in the roof is best, a connection to the luggage rack will work.

 

[BBsound]

considered the roof, but dont want to drilll a hole. i think that i am goin gto move a little closer to the front bumper away from the radio antenna. thanks guys.

oh come on:sombrero: pop out the dome light and grab the drill :wings:

 

[w squared]

Cowboy up and drill the hole :Wow1:

Meh...holesaw's aren't for everyone.

You could also do a tailgate mount, or fender with a ball mount...but those would probably involve drilling too.

 

[matt s]

I am running a dual band mag mount on my hood about 2 feet from my radio antenna. The ham antenna is just off center on my hood in front of the windshield. I have not had any issues.

I have a fiberglass removable top, so rooftop was out for me. My hood is a giant steel grounding plane though. (old iron, 71 chev)

 

[HanzoSteel]

I drilled a hole in my roof, but if your not willing to do that the next best thing is mag mount. And I believe 18" is the minimum distance you want between antennas.

 

[hillbillyjake]

well, the roof mount is out. it's one of the few spots on the truck that doesn't already have a hole (RUST). i think i'm going to go with the adjustable and just move it down the hood channel away from the radio antenna and give it a try. thanks for the info

 

[matt s]

well, the roof mount is out. it's one of the few spots on the truck that doesn't already have a hole (RUST). i think i'm going to go with the adjustable and just move it down the hood channel away from the radio antenna and give it a try. thanks for the info

It should be fine. If you go with a mag mount you can always plant it right dead center in the hood for optimum performance when you need it and move it off to the side for normal use.