Vhf help

[rcfd34]

Just got a kenwood tk 7180 vhf i need an antenna for my 01 tahoe will be running freq in the 154 to 159 any one have any suggestions dont mind drilling if i have to looking to spend no more then 60 to 70 bucks so used new dont matter dont really no alot about the antennas dont want anything with a super long whip would like it under 16 inches if possible thanks

[n9mxq]

Any quarter wave NMO will do decent for you, but a 5/8th wave would be your best bet. But you'll have clearance issues. I recommend Larsen with the NMO mount. I've had one for years, and have beat the living snot out of it and it's never failed.

A quick Google search will find them, or a vendor for them.

[rcfd34]

Yea 5/8 would be way to big i want something smaller so it dont stand out

[n9mxq]

With that size of vehicle, unless you go to a tailgate mounted antenna, you're pretty much stuck with the 1/4 wave.. They're easy enough to install and tune. Just not a lot of gain.

Get one, and put it as close to dead center on the roof. If there's a light in the headliner in that general area you're set. Pop the light out, drill, feed your coax to the radio (the tricky part). Tune the antenna and you're all set.

[rcfd34]

Yea i have no idea how to tune lol im all new to this radio stuff i do have a light but cant mount an antenna there theres a lightbar in the way

[n9mxq]

Well, you're in Ridott. I'm not all that far away. You get the mount and antenna.. and I can help you out with the install and tuning.

How's that strike ya?

[rcfd34]

If u point me in the way of some good stuff sounds great to me where abouts are you from

[n9mxq]

Belvidere. Go to eBay, or Amazon. Do a search for 3/8 nmo mount. Then search for VHF NMO Quarter wave.. They're dead simple antennas, and hard to screw up even for the cheaper manufacturers.

[rcfd34]

Ok sounds good im looking at some of laird ones i no my uncle always said they were good ones he use to be big in the ham stuff and radios

[rcfd34]

Now does it matter what size coax it uses is it like the satellite cable they run in house like rg6 or what

[n9mxq]

At VHF I'd look for RG-58 style. Double shielded if you can find it. Something like this: NMO Mount 3 8" Hole with 15 5ft RG 58 U Cable with PL 259 Connector | eBay

[rcfd34]

Ok cuz i was gonna say if u can use rg6 i got all kinds of that and all the tools to make it w.e length and strip ends lol

[n9mxq]

RG6 is 75 ohm coax, RG58 is 50 ohm.. Your radio wouldn't like 75 ohm for long..

[scannermanner1]

most normal NMO mounts come with RG 58 !
you can also pick up a VHF quarter wave antenna for 12 bucks with shipping included from EBAY !

[rescue161]

http://www.theantennafarm.com/catalo...365s-7287.html

That is the best antenna that I've ever used. No tuning, very broad-band. They also make a chrome version. I have one for VHF and also have their UHF version.

[profiledescent]

Originally Posted by rescue161

http://www.theantennafarm.com/catalo...365s-7287.html

That is the best antenna that I've ever used. No tuning, very broad-band. They also make a chrome version. I have one for VHF and also have their UHF version.

Good antenna, and broadbanded, but it will still need to be tuned to the desired freq for lowest VSWR.

[rcfd34]

Im thinking of going with the laird version of that off there site its only 39 bucks

[rescue161]

I thought that too, but out of all of the ones that I've had, none needed tuning. They were all flat across my entire range. I swept them with my service monitor and the return loss was very good.

[rescuecomm]

I ran my lightbar, 100 watt siren and 50 watt radio off of a single #6 wire that was fused 50 amps at the battery. Never had a problem with it. The 100 watt sirens will pull 15 to 18 amps by themselves, so you will need some good wire. I get my wire and fuse components in the car stereo shops. They have everything you need for a power hungry installation.

Bob