Radio information guide

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Thanks for your response. I'll definitely look into grounding the antenna to vehicle body.
And I'll have to inquire locally about swr meter or antenna analyzer. Owning one would be great, but so far a haven't seen an inexpensive option like the ones for CB frequencies


Edit.
I think I found a cheap meter that should cover 2m 70cm and maybe gmrs
https://www.amazon.com/Mcbazel-Surecom-Digital-125-525Mhz-Antenna/dp/B01D86IKIQ
Yeah, that should cover GMRS as well and pretty nice meter. I watched the video as well.

I have various meters that I have bought over the years and about 1yr ago I had bought an antenna analyzer from a guy that sold it to me for about half price because he was getting rid of some of his gear. I fairly recently made my own 2m antenna and I'm just about ready to set it up here to test it out and I needed an antenna analyzer to get certain information I'm not going to typically find with a swr/watt meter.
 
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This reminds me that I need a new antenna for the 4runner still. The one I have for the Tacoma doesn't have a long enough cable.
Danny, you can go this route if you have to...
SO-239_FF_barrel_adapter.jpg

They come in different lengths and just get the rough extra length you need. Most magmounts come with fixed length cable, which are typically all about the same length... of course, it's been a while since I've last dealt with any magmounts since my old job.
RG58_CoaxCable.jpeg
 

4runner DOA

Hold my beer
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Danny, you can go this route if you have to...
View attachment 32559

They come in different lengths and just get the rough extra length you need. Most magmounts come with fixed length cable, which are typically all about the same length... of course, it's been a while since I've last dealt with any magmounts since my old job.
View attachment 32560

Yeah I'd rather just get a new one for the runner. The one I bought for the Tacoma is the perfect length and I don't want to swap it back and forth.
 
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Yeah I'd rather just get a new one for the runner. The one I bought for the Tacoma is the perfect length and I don't want to swap it back and forth.
Dummy me, I misread your post.

I didn't even know you have a radio setup for the tacoma? I know you have John's old Kenwood for your runner.
 

4runner DOA

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Dummy me, I misread your post.

I didn't even know you have a radio setup for the tacoma? I know you have John's old Kenwood for your runner.

Yep I have the kenwood for the runner, and I picked up a radio and antenna for the Tacoma during prime days. After we come back Monday I plan on wheeling the Tacoma for the rest of desert season while the runner gets some much needed love and attention.
 
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One more question. In my situation with antenna being installed on aluminum crossbar a few inches over the roof, which antenna would make better choice, 1/2 wave or 5/8 wave?
Because of mounting location, I want a short antenna that is spring loaded and those two would fit the bill:
This 5/8 wave
https://www.amazon.com/Br-176-s-450...words=browning+br-176-s&qid=1610906663&sr=8-3

Or this "no ground plane" 1/2 wave
https://www.theantennafarm.com/catalog/laird-technologies-bb4502ns-3236
I would go with the 5/8wave antenna, personally.

Kind of hard to tell what the specs are though as far as the antenna gain, which helps with RX. I'm not seeing any other information other than the frequency range?

In either case, go with a 5/8wave or 1/4wave as your antenna choices... overall. Just my humble opinion.
 
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I would go with the 5/8wave antenna, personally.

Kind of hard to tell what the specs are though as far as the antenna gain, which helps with RX. I'm not seeing any other information other than the frequency range?

In either case, go with a 5/8wave or 1/4wave as your antenna choices... overall. Just my humble opinion.
https://unboxshoppingnetwork.com/pr...A7MMrEQNigbjAxvXgPXe10bcrMTK3HBYaAvwSEALw_wcB
According to this, we're talking about 3dB gain on 5/8 wave. The other one is 2.4 dB, miniscule difference.
My main concern is/was that it won't be installed in the middle of metal roof, hence all the overthinking.
Just my humble opinion.
That's exactly what I'm looking for. :beerscheers:
 

MonkeyProof

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Yeah I'd rather just get a new one for the runner. The one I bought for the Tacoma is the perfect length and I don't want to swap it back and forth.
I have plenty of coax to build whatever length you need, you supply the hardware and ill build what you need.. unless you're doing a mag mount which is stupid
 

MonkeyProof

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One more question. In my situation with antenna being installed on aluminum crossbar a few inches over the roof, which antenna would make better choice, 1/2 wave or 5/8 wave?
Because of mounting location, I want a short antenna that is spring loaded and those two would fit the bill:
This 5/8 wave
https://www.amazon.com/Br-176-s-450...words=browning+br-176-s&qid=1610906663&sr=8-3

Or this "no ground plane" 1/2 wave
https://www.theantennafarm.com/catalog/laird-technologies-bb4502ns-3236
Ideally you'll need a NGP antenna when installing on a crossbar
 

4runner DOA

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I have plenty of coax to build whatever length you need, you supply the hardware and ill build what you need.. unless you're doing a mag mount which is stupid

I've had no issues with my mag mounts. I have to use my roof rack when the kid comes camping so having something solid mounted on my roof would get in the way.
 

Chipskip

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This weekend decided to improve my antenna. Originally had a 10ft pole at the peak. I added a 27ft telescoping pole in a 5ft tripod. The tip of my base antenna is 49ft above ground level and the feed point of the inverted dipole is at 39ft agl.

This has greatly improved reception. Did some net check ins this morning, everyone said we were booming. We were able to confirm signal into the parts of Mexico my parents are normally around.

On 40m contacts in Boise and La Paz just now. Woot!

45AAC804-3E9B-4DA5-AA3E-DCF976B7FAC3.jpeg00C51AAB-7862-4067-81E3-69F4038DEF17.jpeg
 

AssBurns

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This weekend decided to improve my antenna. Originally had a 10ft pole at the peak. I added a 27ft telescoping pole in a 5ft tripod. The tip of my base antenna is 49ft above ground level and the feed point of the inverted dipole is at 39ft agl.

This has greatly improved reception. Did some net check ins this morning, everyone said we were booming. We were able to confirm signal into the parts of Mexico my parents are normally around.

On 40m contacts in Boise and La Paz just now. Woot!

View attachment 33882View attachment 33883
Damn that's super impressive!
 
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This weekend decided to improve my antenna. Originally had a 10ft pole at the peak. I added a 27ft telescoping pole in a 5ft tripod. The tip of my base antenna is 49ft above ground level and the feed point of the inverted dipole is at 39ft agl.

This has greatly improved reception. Did some net check ins this morning, everyone said we were booming. We were able to confirm signal into the parts of Mexico my parents are normally around.

On 40m contacts in Boise and La Paz just now. Woot!

View attachment 33882View attachment 33883

Thats rad! I underestimated the range that would get you by A LOT.
 
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