"Charlie" <nospam@all.com> wrote in message
news:kVhec.8486$Pw1.477@fed1read05...
>
> The better your counterpoise(ground plane), the better your antenna will
> work. Usually. Having the antenna on the very front OR back tends to make
> it more directional. Best place is dead center of a metal roof. If you
have
> a rag-top or fiberglass think about mounting it in the center of the
hood.
> Looks a little funny but usually work great. You can go with a magnetic
> mount if you don't want it there all the time.
>
> I don't like a handheld for general use. But, you can take those out of
the
> jeep and climb to the top of a nearby hill if you need to.
>

I haven't really seen anyone here run their rig with an antenna mounted in
the centre of the hood. But it is an option with a magnetic mount. Would
moving the permanent antenna in the middle of the front bumper improve
directional tendencies. I have mostly seen people with antenna in a corner
around here.

Thanks for sharing your knowledge. I never realised how much of a learning
experience it would be when I started off-roading (I have had to refresh my
physics so much, though physics wasn't so much fun in high school).

TW

 

"Charlie" <nospam@all.com> wrote in message
news:kVhec.8486$Pw1.477@fed1read05...
>
> The better your counterpoise(ground plane), the better your antenna will
> work. Usually. Having the antenna on the very front OR back tends to make
> it more directional. Best place is dead center of a metal roof. If you
have
> a rag-top or fiberglass think about mounting it in the center of the
hood.
> Looks a little funny but usually work great. You can go with a magnetic
> mount if you don't want it there all the time.
>
> I don't like a handheld for general use. But, you can take those out of
the
> jeep and climb to the top of a nearby hill if you need to.
>

I haven't really seen anyone here run their rig with an antenna mounted in
the centre of the hood. But it is an option with a magnetic mount. Would
moving the permanent antenna in the middle of the front bumper improve
directional tendencies. I have mostly seen people with antenna in a corner
around here.

Thanks for sharing your knowledge. I never realised how much of a learning
experience it would be when I started off-roading (I have had to refresh my
physics so much, though physics wasn't so much fun in high school).

TW

 

"Charlie" <nospam@all.com> wrote in message
news:kVhec.8486$Pw1.477@fed1read05...
>
> The better your counterpoise(ground plane), the better your antenna will
> work. Usually. Having the antenna on the very front OR back tends to make
> it more directional. Best place is dead center of a metal roof. If you
have
> a rag-top or fiberglass think about mounting it in the center of the
hood.
> Looks a little funny but usually work great. You can go with a magnetic
> mount if you don't want it there all the time.
>
> I don't like a handheld for general use. But, you can take those out of
the
> jeep and climb to the top of a nearby hill if you need to.
>

I haven't really seen anyone here run their rig with an antenna mounted in
the centre of the hood. But it is an option with a magnetic mount. Would
moving the permanent antenna in the middle of the front bumper improve
directional tendencies. I have mostly seen people with antenna in a corner
around here.

Thanks for sharing your knowledge. I never realised how much of a learning
experience it would be when I started off-roading (I have had to refresh my
physics so much, though physics wasn't so much fun in high school).

TW

 

Just do both...they aren't that expensive. I always carry two FRS
handhelds, and it always seems I hand one out to someone, or I am the
only guy with both and can relay on both frequencies. Though I never
actually was, I am a boy scout like that. Holla!

--
--
Joe Pribe
NC
jpribe 'at' nc.rr.com <you know the drill
jegp 'at' hotmail.com < at is really @
---- I Love My O|||||||O TJ



"TW" <a t t w @ w a v e . c o . n z> wrote in message
news:c5civp$e6r$1@news.wave.co.nz...
| "Robert Brace" <rlbrace@shaw.ca> wrote in message
| news:nDdec.78722$Ig.56192@pd7tw2no...
| > TW;
| > Sorry about that, the URL just gets you to the opening page.
Go to
| > Catalog, then scroll down to Miscellaneous Accessories. There you
will
| find
| > the CB antenna mounts.
| > Bob
| >
| > "Robert Brace" <rlbrace@shaw.ca> wrote in message
| > news:hydec.79928$oR5.6828@pd7tw3no...
| > > TW;
| > > I have the one shown in the URL
http://www.teraflx.com/index2.htm
| It
| > > works fine with a Cobra 75WXST CB radio
(out-of-sight-out-of-mind for
| > > thieves) and a Cobra A300 3ft fiberglass whip. I also have a
full
| length
| > > stainless steel whip I install when going into a remote area.
I'm told
| > the
| > > rear mounting location uses the top lip of the steel tub for the
ground
| > > plane for broadcast efficiency. I get a SWR of from 1.0 to 1.2
with
| the
| > SS
| > > whip and around 1.4 with the 3ft one.
| > >
| > > Bob
| > >
| > >
|
| Thanks Bob. We don't get Cobra units in New Zealand. The two most
common
| units here are GME from Australia (www.gme.net.au) and the good old
Uniden
| (www.uniden.co.nz).
|
| All the discussion here have convinced me go with a CB radio.
Uniden is
| heavily discounting their Pro 150XL as it is being discontinued as a
| product. I will go out later in the day and see what is in the
market.
|
| Thanks all for your great input and suggestions.
| TW
|

 

Just do both...they aren't that expensive. I always carry two FRS
handhelds, and it always seems I hand one out to someone, or I am the
only guy with both and can relay on both frequencies. Though I never
actually was, I am a boy scout like that. Holla!

--
--
Joe Pribe
NC
jpribe 'at' nc.rr.com <you know the drill
jegp 'at' hotmail.com < at is really @
---- I Love My O|||||||O TJ



"TW" <a t t w @ w a v e . c o . n z> wrote in message
news:c5civp$e6r$1@news.wave.co.nz...
| "Robert Brace" <rlbrace@shaw.ca> wrote in message
| news:nDdec.78722$Ig.56192@pd7tw2no...
| > TW;
| > Sorry about that, the URL just gets you to the opening page.
Go to
| > Catalog, then scroll down to Miscellaneous Accessories. There you
will
| find
| > the CB antenna mounts.
| > Bob
| >
| > "Robert Brace" <rlbrace@shaw.ca> wrote in message
| > news:hydec.79928$oR5.6828@pd7tw3no...
| > > TW;
| > > I have the one shown in the URL
http://www.teraflx.com/index2.htm
| It
| > > works fine with a Cobra 75WXST CB radio
(out-of-sight-out-of-mind for
| > > thieves) and a Cobra A300 3ft fiberglass whip. I also have a
full
| length
| > > stainless steel whip I install when going into a remote area.
I'm told
| > the
| > > rear mounting location uses the top lip of the steel tub for the
ground
| > > plane for broadcast efficiency. I get a SWR of from 1.0 to 1.2
with
| the
| > SS
| > > whip and around 1.4 with the 3ft one.
| > >
| > > Bob
| > >
| > >
|
| Thanks Bob. We don't get Cobra units in New Zealand. The two most
common
| units here are GME from Australia (www.gme.net.au) and the good old
Uniden
| (www.uniden.co.nz).
|
| All the discussion here have convinced me go with a CB radio.
Uniden is
| heavily discounting their Pro 150XL as it is being discontinued as a
| product. I will go out later in the day and see what is in the
market.
|
| Thanks all for your great input and suggestions.
| TW
|

 

Just do both...they aren't that expensive. I always carry two FRS
handhelds, and it always seems I hand one out to someone, or I am the
only guy with both and can relay on both frequencies. Though I never
actually was, I am a boy scout like that. Holla!

--
--
Joe Pribe
NC
jpribe 'at' nc.rr.com <you know the drill
jegp 'at' hotmail.com < at is really @
---- I Love My O|||||||O TJ



"TW" <a t t w @ w a v e . c o . n z> wrote in message
news:c5civp$e6r$1@news.wave.co.nz...
| "Robert Brace" <rlbrace@shaw.ca> wrote in message
| news:nDdec.78722$Ig.56192@pd7tw2no...
| > TW;
| > Sorry about that, the URL just gets you to the opening page.
Go to
| > Catalog, then scroll down to Miscellaneous Accessories. There you
will
| find
| > the CB antenna mounts.
| > Bob
| >
| > "Robert Brace" <rlbrace@shaw.ca> wrote in message
| > news:hydec.79928$oR5.6828@pd7tw3no...
| > > TW;
| > > I have the one shown in the URL
http://www.teraflx.com/index2.htm
| It
| > > works fine with a Cobra 75WXST CB radio
(out-of-sight-out-of-mind for
| > > thieves) and a Cobra A300 3ft fiberglass whip. I also have a
full
| length
| > > stainless steel whip I install when going into a remote area.
I'm told
| > the
| > > rear mounting location uses the top lip of the steel tub for the
ground
| > > plane for broadcast efficiency. I get a SWR of from 1.0 to 1.2
with
| the
| > SS
| > > whip and around 1.4 with the 3ft one.
| > >
| > > Bob
| > >
| > >
|
| Thanks Bob. We don't get Cobra units in New Zealand. The two most
common
| units here are GME from Australia (www.gme.net.au) and the good old
Uniden
| (www.uniden.co.nz).
|
| All the discussion here have convinced me go with a CB radio.
Uniden is
| heavily discounting their Pro 150XL as it is being discontinued as a
| product. I will go out later in the day and see what is in the
market.
|
| Thanks all for your great input and suggestions.
| TW
|

 

Just do both...they aren't that expensive. I always carry two FRS
handhelds, and it always seems I hand one out to someone, or I am the
only guy with both and can relay on both frequencies. Though I never
actually was, I am a boy scout like that. Holla!

--
--
Joe Pribe
NC
jpribe 'at' nc.rr.com <you know the drill
jegp 'at' hotmail.com < at is really @
---- I Love My O|||||||O TJ



"TW" <a t t w @ w a v e . c o . n z> wrote in message
news:c5civp$e6r$1@news.wave.co.nz...
| "Robert Brace" <rlbrace@shaw.ca> wrote in message
| news:nDdec.78722$Ig.56192@pd7tw2no...
| > TW;
| > Sorry about that, the URL just gets you to the opening page.
Go to
| > Catalog, then scroll down to Miscellaneous Accessories. There you
will
| find
| > the CB antenna mounts.
| > Bob
| >
| > "Robert Brace" <rlbrace@shaw.ca> wrote in message
| > news:hydec.79928$oR5.6828@pd7tw3no...
| > > TW;
| > > I have the one shown in the URL
http://www.teraflx.com/index2.htm
| It
| > > works fine with a Cobra 75WXST CB radio
(out-of-sight-out-of-mind for
| > > thieves) and a Cobra A300 3ft fiberglass whip. I also have a
full
| length
| > > stainless steel whip I install when going into a remote area.
I'm told
| > the
| > > rear mounting location uses the top lip of the steel tub for the
ground
| > > plane for broadcast efficiency. I get a SWR of from 1.0 to 1.2
with
| the
| > SS
| > > whip and around 1.4 with the 3ft one.
| > >
| > > Bob
| > >
| > >
|
| Thanks Bob. We don't get Cobra units in New Zealand. The two most
common
| units here are GME from Australia (www.gme.net.au) and the good old
Uniden
| (www.uniden.co.nz).
|
| All the discussion here have convinced me go with a CB radio.
Uniden is
| heavily discounting their Pro 150XL as it is being discontinued as a
| product. I will go out later in the day and see what is in the
market.
|
| Thanks all for your great input and suggestions.
| TW
|

 

TW wrote:

> "Charlie" <nospam@all.com> wrote in message
> news:kVhec.8486$Pw1.477@fed1read05...
>>
>> The better your counterpoise(ground plane), the better your antenna will
>> work. Usually. Having the antenna on the very front OR back tends to make
>> it more directional. Best place is dead center of a metal roof. If you
> have
>> a rag-top or fiberglass think about mounting it in the center of the
> hood.
>> Looks a little funny but usually work great. You can go with a magnetic
>> mount if you don't want it there all the time.
>>
>> I don't like a handheld for general use. But, you can take those out of
> the
>> jeep and climb to the top of a nearby hill if you need to.
>>
>
> I haven't really seen anyone here run their rig with an antenna mounted in
> the centre of the hood. But it is an option with a magnetic mount. Would
> moving the permanent antenna in the middle of the front bumper improve
> directional tendencies. I have mostly seen people with antenna in a
> corner around here.
>

I used to run mine mounted to the rear corner when I ran just a CB. Since
going to HAM I have learned a tremendous amout about antennas. The
difference between the middle of the bumper or a corner will probably be
very slight. Your signal will generally radiate the direction of your
counterpoise. That's why the center of the vehicle works best. It gives you
the most omni-directional pattern. What some people with fiberglass tops do
is to mount a 2 foot by 2 foot or 3 foot by 3 foot piece of aluminum plate
to the inside of the roof. Mount the antenna thru that and the roof.
Thereby giving them a metal ground plane in their fiberglass roof. If done
neatly it doesn't look bad at all. Especially if you paint it to match the
top.

You might also read some of the posts on www.eham.net/forums/. They have
some good info. Especially on the "mobileham" forum.

Good luck,


--
I'm just preparing my impromptu remarks.
- Winston Churchill

 

TW wrote:

> "Charlie" <nospam@all.com> wrote in message
> news:kVhec.8486$Pw1.477@fed1read05...
>>
>> The better your counterpoise(ground plane), the better your antenna will
>> work. Usually. Having the antenna on the very front OR back tends to make
>> it more directional. Best place is dead center of a metal roof. If you
> have
>> a rag-top or fiberglass think about mounting it in the center of the
> hood.
>> Looks a little funny but usually work great. You can go with a magnetic
>> mount if you don't want it there all the time.
>>
>> I don't like a handheld for general use. But, you can take those out of
> the
>> jeep and climb to the top of a nearby hill if you need to.
>>
>
> I haven't really seen anyone here run their rig with an antenna mounted in
> the centre of the hood. But it is an option with a magnetic mount. Would
> moving the permanent antenna in the middle of the front bumper improve
> directional tendencies. I have mostly seen people with antenna in a
> corner around here.
>

I used to run mine mounted to the rear corner when I ran just a CB. Since
going to HAM I have learned a tremendous amout about antennas. The
difference between the middle of the bumper or a corner will probably be
very slight. Your signal will generally radiate the direction of your
counterpoise. That's why the center of the vehicle works best. It gives you
the most omni-directional pattern. What some people with fiberglass tops do
is to mount a 2 foot by 2 foot or 3 foot by 3 foot piece of aluminum plate
to the inside of the roof. Mount the antenna thru that and the roof.
Thereby giving them a metal ground plane in their fiberglass roof. If done
neatly it doesn't look bad at all. Especially if you paint it to match the
top.

You might also read some of the posts on www.eham.net/forums/. They have
some good info. Especially on the "mobileham" forum.

Good luck,


--
I'm just preparing my impromptu remarks.
- Winston Churchill

 

TW wrote:

> "Charlie" <nospam@all.com> wrote in message
> news:kVhec.8486$Pw1.477@fed1read05...
>>
>> The better your counterpoise(ground plane), the better your antenna will
>> work. Usually. Having the antenna on the very front OR back tends to make
>> it more directional. Best place is dead center of a metal roof. If you
> have
>> a rag-top or fiberglass think about mounting it in the center of the
> hood.
>> Looks a little funny but usually work great. You can go with a magnetic
>> mount if you don't want it there all the time.
>>
>> I don't like a handheld for general use. But, you can take those out of
> the
>> jeep and climb to the top of a nearby hill if you need to.
>>
>
> I haven't really seen anyone here run their rig with an antenna mounted in
> the centre of the hood. But it is an option with a magnetic mount. Would
> moving the permanent antenna in the middle of the front bumper improve
> directional tendencies. I have mostly seen people with antenna in a
> corner around here.
>

I used to run mine mounted to the rear corner when I ran just a CB. Since
going to HAM I have learned a tremendous amout about antennas. The
difference between the middle of the bumper or a corner will probably be
very slight. Your signal will generally radiate the direction of your
counterpoise. That's why the center of the vehicle works best. It gives you
the most omni-directional pattern. What some people with fiberglass tops do
is to mount a 2 foot by 2 foot or 3 foot by 3 foot piece of aluminum plate
to the inside of the roof. Mount the antenna thru that and the roof.
Thereby giving them a metal ground plane in their fiberglass roof. If done
neatly it doesn't look bad at all. Especially if you paint it to match the
top.

You might also read some of the posts on www.eham.net/forums/. They have
some good info. Especially on the "mobileham" forum.

Good luck,


--
I'm just preparing my impromptu remarks.
- Winston Churchill