Antenna for a mobile rig
Fletcher
advice on an antenna for a mobile rig. I'm looking at a Yaesu FT-900R
that I would like to be able to move from my car to my house and use
it mobile and as a base unit. I'll worry about the base set up
later. In the meantime, I would like some local advice regarding
antennas. I have attempted some research online including message
boards, forums, etc. I am now more confused and discouraged than when
I started. What are others in Athens using for 2m/440 in their
vehicles? I would even be willing to buy used if anyone has something
good for sale. Or if using it for mobile and home base sounds
ridiculous, please let me know.
Fletcher Hodges
(call sign pending)
Bob Herrin
Hi, Fletcher!
My first mobile antenna was a magnet mount, a Larsen. The base and antenna ran about $60, but that was over 10 years ago. There are lots of solutions the mobile antenna question. You don’t want to scrimp on the antenna, but you don’t have to send yourself to the poorhouse either. Comet, Diamond, and Larsen are good choices. You can look them up at Ham Radio Outlet (http://www.hamradio.com/). Another good place to look for opinions from other hams is http://www.eham.net/. You can find people’s ideas on a whole range of ham-related issues. They even have a classified ads section for used equipment.
Hope that gets you started. The best idea might be to go somewhere with an experienced ham and get their input on that first purchase. The Dalton Ham Fest is coming up, and that would be a good place to go shopping. J
Bob
KE4JLL
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James Ashworth
As you have already discovered, this is a complex issue. There are many things to consider. Do I want to drill holes in my car? Where is the best location for the antenna. The answers to these and many other questions is "it depends". All this can be very confusing for a beginner. My advice is don't be in a hurry to deside.
Take your time and talk to other hams and look at what they use. Read some articles in QST and other publications and the internet. There is an interesting piece in the March QST, page 43 on where on the car to place the antenna.
I know you want to get on the air asap so my anvice is to purchase a used 1/4 wave (19") magnetic mount antenna. I got one for ten bucks a couple of months ago. It will do a good job on 2m and also work on 70cm as a 3/4 wave. After you have taken the time to choose the right antenna for your particular situation you can keep the mag mount for your emergency communcations "Go Kit" or pass it on to another new ham. You can find one at a hamfest, swapmeet, or on line.
From: Fletcher <fletche...@gmail.com>
To: ne4ga : North East Georgia ARC <ne...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Sunday, February 12, 2012 1:08 PM
Subject: [ne4ga] Antenna for a mobile rig
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Fletcher
excited to get this thing going. I'm still waiting for my call sign
to pop up on the FCC website so I'm in no great hurry.
On Feb 13, 3:36 pm, James Ashworth <wb4...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Fletcher,
> As you have already discovered, this is a complex issue. There are many things to consider. Do I want to drill holes in my car? Where is the best location for the antenna. The answers to these and many other questions is "it depends". All this can be very confusing for a beginner. My advice is don't be in a hurry to deside.
> Take your time and talk to other hams and look at what they use. Read some articles in QST and other publications and the internet. There is an interesting piece in the March QST, page 43 on where on the car to place the antenna.
> I know you want to get on the air asap so my anvice is to purchase a used 1/4 wave (19") magnetic mount antenna. I got one for ten bucks a couple of months ago. It will do a good job on 2m and also work on 70cm as a 3/4 wave. After you have taken the time to choose the right antenna for your particular situation you can keep the mag mount for your emergency communcations "Go Kit" or pass it on to another new ham. You can find one at a hamfest, swapmeet, or on line.
>
> ________________________________
> Sent: Sunday, February 12, 2012 1:08 PM
> Subject: [ne4ga] Antenna for a mobile rig
>
> Hello everyone. I'm new to the group and I was looking for some
> advice on an antenna for a mobile rig. I'm looking at a Yaesu FT-900R
> that I would like to be able to move from my car to my house and use
> it mobile and as a base unit. I'll worry about the base set up
> later. In the meantime, I would like some local advice regarding
> antennas. I have attempted some research online including message
> boards, forums, etc. I am now more confused and discouraged than when
> I started. What are others in Athens using for 2m/440 in their
> vehicles? I would even be willing to buy used if anyone has something
> good for sale. Or if using it for mobile and home base sounds
> ridiculous, please let me know.
>
> Fletcher Hodges
> (call sign pending)
>
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> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "ne4ga : North East Georgia ARC" group.
> To post to this group, send email to ne...@googlegroups.com.