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AssBurns

will wheel for beer
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Got a dual band radio installed in the tow rig. First time using an NMO style antenna that drills through the roof. Always a little nervous to drill holes in the roof. Hopefully it doesn’t pose any issues like leaking. I’ve heard this is the best way to mount an antenna so this is what I did.

B145B6F1-2352-44E3-B61F-7AA87339396E.jpeg25E0574A-A368-47FF-9AF1-1A606399025B.jpeg
 
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Got a dual band radio installed in the tow rig. First time using an NMO style antenna that drills through the roof. Always a little nervous to drill holes in the roof. Hopefully it doesn’t pose any issues like leaking. I’ve heard this is the best way to mount an antenna so this is what I did.

View attachment 63665View attachment 63668
I've never done a hole through the roof, but in either case, "watch your ceiling level height" because even one hit is definitely going to put a lot of stress at the mounting point.

Very nice looking though and YES, that is the best location for evenly spread of your signal when TX'ing.
 

AssBurns

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I've never done a hole through the roof, but in either case, "watch your ceiling level height" because even one hit is definitely going to put a lot of stress at the mounting point.

Very nice looking though and YES, that is the best location for evenly spread of your signal when TX'ing.
I was thinking about getting one of those NMO caps to keep in the truck if I ever need to pull the antenna off. With such thin sheet metal I wouldn’t be surprised if it rips out of the roof if I hit something enough.

Curious to see how well it does in comparison to the magnet mount I have on the 4runner.
 
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I was thinking about getting one of those NMO caps to keep in the truck if I ever need to pull the antenna off. With such thin sheet metal I wouldn’t be surprised if it rips out of the roof if I hit something enough.

Curious to see how well it does in comparison to the magnet mount I have on the 4runner.
I would expect you will get about the same performance once "tuned". The roof center is the best place for sure too.

Is that the DB25 model? :thumbsup:
 

AssBurns

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I would expect you will get about the same performance once "tuned". The roof center is the best place for sure too.

Is that the DB25 model? :thumbsup:
I need to get an SWR meter so I can actually tune it properly. I wonder how much it would change the noticeable performance.
Yep it’s the DB25. Same one in my other 4runner. Seems to be a great bang for the buck option.
 
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I need to get an SWR meter so I can actually tune it properly. I wonder how much it would change the noticeable performance.
Yep it’s the DB25. Same one in my other 4runner. Seems to be a great bang for the buck option.
Assuming it's pretty far off with your vswr, anything 3 and above is really bad. It's ultimately the TX portion that you are "tuning". If your vswr is really bad, the part of the RF signal that doesn't get transmitted gets, more or less, reflected BACK to the transmitter and will eventually or quickly burn out the "finals stage" of the RF amplifier.
 

AssBurns

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Assuming it's pretty far off with your vswr, anything 3 and above is really bad. It's ultimately the TX portion that you are "tuning". If your vswr is really bad, the part of the RF signal that doesn't get transmitted gets, more or less, reflected BACK to the transmitter and will eventually or quickly burn out the "finals stage" of the RF amplifier.
What makes you assume that it is pretty far off on the VSWR?
Got an SWR meter that you recommend (obviously nothing crazy expensive but something that is decent)?
Probably a good idea to check what the SWR is so I don't burn up the unit.
 
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What makes you assume that it is pretty far off on the VSWR?
Got an SWR meter that you recommend (obviously nothing crazy expensive but something that is decent)?
Probably a good idea to check what the SWR is so I don't burn up the unit.
Not an assumption as more of a given if it is a new setup. Sometimes you'll get lucky and the vswr is within reason, but for new setups one should always assume the worst case because you will never know until you check it or have it checked. Better to be safe than burn up a brand new radio or any radio without checking at least once.

Finally, for anyone running magmounts, you can tune and get it all dialed in, but if you remove it for whatever reason, you need to put it back in the exact same spot or damn near close to it as the vswr will be different if moved somewhere else.
 

AssBurns

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Not an assumption as more of a given if it is a new setup. Sometimes you'll get lucky and the vswr is within reason, but for new setups one should always assume the worst case because you will never know until you check it or have it checked. Better to be safe than burn up a brand new radio or any radio without checking at least once.

Finally, for anyone running magmounts, you can tune and get it all dialed in, but if you remove it for whatever reason, you need to put it back in the exact same spot or damn near close to it as the vswr will be different if moved somewhere else.
Very good to know. I'll pick up an SWR meter and see what I am working with. Thanks for the info.
 

AssBurns

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Alright @WileECoyote I need a recommendation on SWR meters. I looked briefly this afternoon and looks like their are so many options and different price ranges. What’s a good one that’s not crazy expensive?
 

Octanejunkie

Just another jagoff with a 4x4
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Late to the necro thread but I just dropped $35 on my gmrs license

Haven't bought a radio yet, but am looking at a few fixed (15-25W range) with antenna upgrade

Lot's of FB folks seem to be using gmrs/frs, what are most folks here running?
 
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Late to the necro thread but I just dropped $35 on my gmrs license

Haven't bought a radio yet, but am looking at a few fixed (15-25W range) with antenna upgrade

Lot's of FB folks seem to be using gmrs/frs, what are most folks here running?
Most everyone I've ever wheeled or know people run HAM in the 150MHz range (i.e. Weatherman race channels).
 

Octanejunkie

Just another jagoff with a 4x4
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Alex Fleming

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That's actually one of the weakest and more limited in the gmrs array of packaged offerings. Midland makes a tractor version that comes with a clamp on 3db antenna update which would extend the range of that product but I'm personally not keen on the Midland radios and have been looking at other, more powerful radios
I used to run an MXT275. With racing, I have upgraded to a good chase radio. I use a Yaesu FT2900 now. Really great radio and can be found fairly cheaply used.
 
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It seems as if FRS/GMRS radios are becoming more popular now?

Technically you need to get a license from the FCC to use GMRS as well as hopping on a GMRS repeater. I don't know how abundant GMRS repeaters there are that you can hop on?

Not knocking FRS/GMRS at all as it works, but most people I know use HAM so if you're only going to install one particular type of radio and not like me where I have CB, HAM, FRS/GMRS, etc then I would stick with what type of comms that people use that you wheel with the most, if that makes any sense.
 

Octanejunkie

Just another jagoff with a 4x4
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It seems as if FRS/GMRS radios are becoming more popular now?

Technically you need to get a license from the FCC to use GMRS as well as hopping on a GMRS repeater. I don't know how abundant GMRS repeaters there are that you can hop on?

Not knocking FRS/GMRS at all as it works, but most people I know use HAM so if you're only going to install one particular type of radio and not like me where I have CB, HAM, FRS/GMRS, etc then I would stick with what type of comms that people use that you wheel with the most, if that makes any sense.
Yes, $35 license only (no course or test) for 10 years for GMRS for everyone in the household.

In reality, we can buy any radio, like a HAM, monitor all frequencies and restrict broadcast to frs/GMRS.

Some of the prefab radios out there, like Midland, have all the repeaters pre-programmed, so you just need to know what's available where you're going or figure it out on the fly. HAM radios need to be programmed so if you're not down for learning how to do that a prefab radio like Midland might be the best bet.

I was looking at this 15W Midland kit to fit where my ashtray is in my 3rd Gen but have moved on

Considering something like this now and will need to add an antenna, etc
 
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Full blown command center!
:rofl::rofl::rofl:

I have scanners too!!! :spy:

Yes, $35 license only (no course or test) for 10 years for GMRS for everyone in the household.

In reality, we can buy any radio, like a HAM, monitor all frequencies and restrict broadcast to frs/GMRS.

Some of the prefab radios out there, like Midland, have all the repeaters pre-programmed, so you just need to know what's available where you're going or figure it out on the fly. HAM radios need to be programmed so if you're not down for learning how to do that a prefab radio like Midland might be the best bet.

I was looking at this 15W Midland kit to fit where my ashtray is in my 3rd Gen but have moved on

Considering something like this now and will need to add an antenna, etc
Most of this I knew... what is interesting is has GMRS become popular enough for a multitude of repeaters to be setup?

There's a TON of repeaters for HAM use and/or commercial.
 
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