Low Profile Antennas

[zuren]

for the past few years I've been pretty committed to this little guy
The Comet SBB-1 - It takes a beating from low hanging objects like tree branches, garage doors, and my roof rack when I have stuff on top of the truck .

I started out using a bigger Diamond metal one that folds over, but that would mean that I would have to get out and fold it over when going into the garage or opening the hatch with the roof rack on the rig. The GF would constantly forget to fold if down when getting something from the back of the rig. It was always getting bent. I still use this one but only in situations where I need extended range. Mostly it rides under the back seat of the truck.

I did not notice much difference for normal use around town or on the trail with other rigs. Obviously there is going to be some performance reduction useing a smaller antenna like this, but I've had great results with it for the past few years. I run this one on both vehicles.

Have you been able to figure out what kind of range you get with the SBB-1? I'm looking into radios/antennas and something lower profile or would fold would work well on my full-size van. Even a short antenna would have some good height if mounted on top.

 

[Cabrito]

Have you been able to figure out what kind of range you get with the SBB-1? I'm looking into radios/antennas and something lower profile or would fold would work well on my full-size van. Even a short antenna would have some good height if mounted on top.

Range is great for what it is. A 40 mile hop to a repeater is no problem. For instance SF to San Jose is totally doable. Simplex is decent. I regularly do a 12 or 13 hop accross the bay on simplex, but that is usually from the freeway at the edge of the city across the bay to Alameda. Not much in between to get in the way. It all depends on terrain and such.
I've been using this antenna on my car and truck for the past few years, and rarely go back to my much taller Diamond fold over unless I think i'm going to need some real range. To tell you the truth I don't get much more range ouf of the Diamond.

Edit:I'm pretty sure the antenna I'm referring to above is the Diamond NR770 fold over antenna - Dual band.

 

[trek 4wd safaris]

Here is my hf, uhf and 3g all on the bullbar, i lead convoys and with the rfi one it is ground independant and goes GREAT

 

[zuren]

Would this be a good low profile combo for a dual-band Yaesu FT-7900R?:

- Comet SBB-1NMO dual band antenna
- Diamond NMO base with cable (cable seems short but can make it work)
- bracket to mount to a square Thule bar (similar to what was pictured early in the thread)

I don't have the Thule rack yet and Ham Radio Outlet has a sale on the 7900R right now so I may pick that up and figure out the best antenna and mounting solution through the winter.

Thanks!

 

[gary in ohio]

If you want a real low profile antenna you can go with some of the antenna X Phantom, They have unity gain http://www.wpsantennas.com/antenexphantomvhftunableunitymodels.aspx They are very short, NMO mount and would make a good city repeater antennas. When you go out in the wilds you can switch in a full size antenna.