noblewill
Member
I'm a noob and finally got my first radio for Christmas. I will be using a Kenwood TM-D710GA on a 2017 Toyota Tundra. I have no idea what type of antenna to get and was hoping you can help me pick one.
Usage: I'm not interested in HF. I would like to maybe explore hitting repeaters in the area (San Diego - north county). I would like to be able to listen to emergency traffic (police, fire, etc.) for fun and lastly, for safety when I'm off roading/camping.
Mounting: I hate the thought of a wire hanging over my roof line so I'm open to drilling a hole in the roof to hard mount the antenna. Based on research here I have been told its the best place to mount an antenna. The downside is that it would have to be small given the truck size. Option B would be to mount it on the top of the truck bed rail. I would prefer to mount it behind the rear window to try and hide it. For the same reason, I prefer not to mount it on the outside body of the truck. Note: I have a Tonneau cover so inside the bed is not an option. My least favorite place to mount it would be the hood lip opposite the factory radio antenna, but if you guys tell me that's my best option I'll go that route.
Below are the antenna's I am looking at based on my research here and online reviews. Which one of these would you recommend? Do you have a better option? FYI, the size off the antenna would dictate the mounting I go with (e.g. roof or side **rail).
Maybe a stupid question, but is there an antenna out there that gives you access to all standard (not HF) frequencies without needed to switch antenna's If not which have the most range - what are the downsides of following this approach - reduced range? I'm asking because I'm so new I don't know what want right now. I'm worried I will commit to a specific frequency/range and then find out I need to buy another antenna.
Antenna's I'm considering:
Nagoya TB-320As
Diamond NR770HB 144/440 MHz Dual-Band
Larsen NMO2/70B VHF/UHF
Comet SBB-5NMO VHF/UHF
Diamond NR770HA Dual-Band
Tram 1180 NMO VHF Dual-Band 114-148 & UHF 430-450 MHz
Comet CA-2X4SRNMO 144/446 MHz
BROWNING BR-180 Dual-Band
Lastly, from reading threads here, I learned that the coax used from the antenna to unit is very important. What is a good quality cable you would recommend?
Thank you! KI6PKI 73
Usage: I'm not interested in HF. I would like to maybe explore hitting repeaters in the area (San Diego - north county). I would like to be able to listen to emergency traffic (police, fire, etc.) for fun and lastly, for safety when I'm off roading/camping.
Mounting: I hate the thought of a wire hanging over my roof line so I'm open to drilling a hole in the roof to hard mount the antenna. Based on research here I have been told its the best place to mount an antenna. The downside is that it would have to be small given the truck size. Option B would be to mount it on the top of the truck bed rail. I would prefer to mount it behind the rear window to try and hide it. For the same reason, I prefer not to mount it on the outside body of the truck. Note: I have a Tonneau cover so inside the bed is not an option. My least favorite place to mount it would be the hood lip opposite the factory radio antenna, but if you guys tell me that's my best option I'll go that route.
Below are the antenna's I am looking at based on my research here and online reviews. Which one of these would you recommend? Do you have a better option? FYI, the size off the antenna would dictate the mounting I go with (e.g. roof or side **rail).
Maybe a stupid question, but is there an antenna out there that gives you access to all standard (not HF) frequencies without needed to switch antenna's If not which have the most range - what are the downsides of following this approach - reduced range? I'm asking because I'm so new I don't know what want right now. I'm worried I will commit to a specific frequency/range and then find out I need to buy another antenna.
Antenna's I'm considering:
Nagoya TB-320As
Diamond NR770HB 144/440 MHz Dual-Band
Larsen NMO2/70B VHF/UHF
Comet SBB-5NMO VHF/UHF
Diamond NR770HA Dual-Band
Tram 1180 NMO VHF Dual-Band 114-148 & UHF 430-450 MHz
Comet CA-2X4SRNMO 144/446 MHz
BROWNING BR-180 Dual-Band
Lastly, from reading threads here, I learned that the coax used from the antenna to unit is very important. What is a good quality cable you would recommend?
Thank you! KI6PKI 73