Spring mount???

[Bentley]

I currently run a rat shack mag mount on my roof, every time I pull in the garage it obviously gets knocked over. I'd like to upgrade but I'm not very knowledgable in this area. I monitor public safety freqs in the 150-165, 400-460 and 500-501 range using a RS pro-2096. I don't care about the height, it can be tall or short, either is fine with me, although I assume taller means farther reception? If that is true than I would want a taller one. I am fine with a permanent mount on the roof (pickup truck - no trunk). I know my RS mag mount is not very flexible, but I'm not sure about the others, would I need to mount a spring between the whip and the base? I'm also afraid if I did have a flexible whip on the roof, when I pull in the garage it will be too close to the mount and snap off. There is only about 12" or so between my roof and the garage door when I pull in. I could mount it on the lip of the pickup bed if the 12" will be an issue.

Any ideas or suggestions would really be appreciated. Thanks!!!

[NYRHKY94]

Quite a few guys here including myself really like the Larsen Tri-Band. Great performance, low profile (about 16") and well built. I use mine with a trunk lip mount (see pic below).

[Bentley]

I was actually just looking at those from another thread. How do you think they would perform with a spring mounted between the mast and the permanent roof mount? Thanks for the pic! Looks great!!! Any idea how it performs in the 500-501 MHz range?

[NYRHKY94]

Not sure about the mount questions or the 500 range coverage? This model is specifically tuned for the 150-165, 450-470 & 806-940 MHz bands, which is primarily public safety. There are guys here who have a lot more knowledge regarding antennas, so hopefully they will chime in here. As you can see from the pic, my application is very straight forward (no drill holes and the cable routed from inside the trunk).

[Rt169Radio]

Originally Posted by Bentley

I was actually just looking at those from another thread. How do you think they would perform with a spring mounted between the mast and the permanent roof mount? Thanks for the pic! Looks great!!! Any idea how it performs in the 500-501 MHz range?

The spring shouldn't cause any problems.

[LtDoc]

The biggest difference a spring will make in the performance of an antenna is that it adds some 'bendability' to that antenna. It will also change that antenna's length. If that length change affects the antenna's performance then you have two choices. Either don't use it, or compensate for that length change. The 'compensation' thingy can get a bit complicated depending on the construction of the antenna, if it uses 'resonant' lengths for example. That length change usually isn't a biggy if the antenna is used for receiving only, transmitting with it is a different story. Try it, see if it 'works', go from there...
- 'Doc