Low Profile Antennas

[sargeek]

I need help coming up with ideas to mount multiple antennas on a vehicle, a Tacoma Double Cab w/ a shell.

I currently have a 50 watt commercial band VHF radio for work, and recently got my amature licencse and want to put a amature mobile in the truck, along with my C75WX ST in.I currently have a fender mount antenna for the commercial radio.

Any good sugestions on multiple antennas with out making a antenna farm on the truck?

 

[barlowrs]

I have my 2m antenna on the drivers side corner of my front bumper, and my CB on the drivers side corner of my rear bumper. Not the best for range, but it does what I need it to, an looks pretty clean rather than having a farm on my roof. Also, seperating them keeps them from banging into eachother through bushes.

 

[gary in ohio]

I need help coming up with ideas to mount multiple antennas on a vehicle, a Tacoma Double Cab w/ a shell.

I currently have a 50 watt commercial band VHF radio for work, and recently got my amature licencse and want to put a amature mobile in the truck, along with my C75WX ST in.I currently have a fender mount antenna for the commercial radio.

Any good sugestions on multiple antennas with out making a antenna farm on the truck?

Depends on how you use the radio and what kind of range you need, but I would drill a couple of holes an NMO mount for the VHF and ham gear and leave the CB antenna where it is.

 

[MotoDave]

I've got my antennas (CB and 2m) mounted to the fenders, Its not ideal for the perfect ground plane, but it does what I need it to, and cuts the overall height significantly compared to roof mounting. I dont have a great picture of the mounting, this one is close: http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ldnUEQoVkE8/TExonnyLYmI/AAAAAAAACbY/--m5-H36s7s/s912/IMG_3085.JPG

 

[alfio]

I've got my antennas (CB and 2m) mounted to the fenders, Its not ideal for the perfect ground plane, but it does what I need it to, and cuts the overall height significantly compared to roof mounting. I dont have a great picture of the mounting, this one is close: http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ldnUEQoVkE8/TExonnyLYmI/AAAAAAAACbY/--m5-H36s7s/s912/IMG_3085.JPG

what kind of reception are you getting with the CB antenna mounted in the corner like that? from everything i've been reading on these you should be (as per the would be experts anyway) sacrificing some range (as opposed to a roof mount) and the reception you are getting is probably better from the front of the vehicle - does that seem accurate?

 

[MotoDave]

Sorry for not replying earlier, didn't see the question till now.

I've yet to travel with anyone willing to drill a hole in their roof to mount a CB antenna, so I don't have much to compare it with. When doing trail runs I have zero problems with reception, seems as good ans any of the other compromised mounting positions on a truck. I have a few friends who have their antenna mounted to the top/side of the bed behind the cab, and they all have consistent problems getting any range on their transmission.

I hope to primarily use 2m from now on. I'm able to hit a repeater ~50 miles away with a clear signal, which is good enough for me.

 

[mikelite80]

I use this little guy around town. I have a NMO mount on the roof connected to the roof rack which has worked great. In the city it's plenty to hit all the local repeaters and not have to worry about the height. When out on a trip just unscrew it and put on a nice big boy antenna. I've tired the CB on the roof, hood, fender but in the long run only used it a few times to listen for traffic info from the truckers. Still have the mount on the roof but rarely put the antenna on. It's easier to talk your friends into getting their license and selling them your handheld so you can upgrade!

Mike

 

[Mtn Mike]

I use this little guy around town. I have a NMO mount on the roof connected to the roof rack which has worked great. In the city it's plenty to hit all the local repeaters and not have to worry about the height. When out on a trip just unscrew it and put on a nice big boy antenna. I've tired the CB on the roof, hood, fender but in the long run only used it a few times to listen for traffic info from the truckers. Still have the mount on the roof but rarely put the antenna on. It's easier to talk your friends into getting their license and selling them your handheld so you can upgrade!

Mike

Do you have a picture of your roof rack mount? I've been wanting to mount my 2 meter antenna on my roof cargo rack, but I'm not sure what kind of ground plane I'll get when I account for the metal in the rack.

 

[mikelite80]

I just used a connector for thru mounting, piece of metal, and a ubolt. I got it mounted up front so it there is atleast some open roof to get some ground plane. I picked my large antenna partly on it not needing a ground plane. I know the little one needs a ground plane, but for my limited uses it has been ok. Sure it isn't the best but the price was right

Mike

 

[Mtn Mike]

Oh I see, thanks for the pics. Your rack is similar to mine, however, I guess you avoided the problem of the ground plane entirely by using that particular antenna. What's the length?

 

[Cabrito]

Comet SBB-1 small and durable and flexible

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.

 

[mysticzt4r]

I also use the same setup works great in all sort of trails.

 

[Mtn Mike]

for the past few years I've been pretty committed to this little guy
The Comet SBB-1 -

Funny picture; I had to look carefully to see that the distant tower was not mounted to your left rear panel :sombrero:

This is a great thread. I'm trying to decide on the "perfect" 2 meter antenna for my 4Runner. Everything is a compromise!

 

[Cabrito]

Funny picture; I had to look carefully to see that the distant tower was not mounted to your left rear panel :sombrero:

actually it is my 2 meter antenna mounted on my side panel - here is an extra large pic to see it for real. :sombrero:

 

[Mtn Mike]