Equipment RVing/CBing through out the SW

[mmckenna]

No I would probably not need that much at all. Maybe 15’ to get out to the front of the 5er and 35’ it I go toward the back by the ladder rack and what ever height I need. Probably only need 50 to 75’. But as slowmover has said maybe a couple of extension coax’s in case something or camp locations change. I like the idea of having a permanent mount as well as a temporary one.

I'd keep the runs to the length you need. Yes, you can always add an extension for those few times you need it.

LMR-400 doesn't roll up very small, so consider your storage limitation. Also, it's heavy and if you are using this on a temporary mast, you'll need to secure it carefully, or it'll risk damaging the antenna connector, connector on the coax, or the mount.

I use some commercial HF radio fly packs at work that get set up in the middle of nowhere. The antennas are a military model and a temporary mast system called a "rolatube". System 75: Single Tube Mast (Compact & Portable) - Rolatube
That setup uses about 40 feet of a high quality RG-58. Higher grade cable isn't necessary and the importance of it being packable/transportable takes priority.

 

[billdean]

Bond to TT to keep it a mobile antenna is the question with this example. More than a campground-er and less than a 1st Class portable for bein waaaay back in the sand and creosote brush.

I am not a campground-er! I am way back in the sand and creosote brush! A dresert rat......

 

[EAFrizzle]

Yep. About 5-6 feet for the base and 18 feet total for all three sections . It's easy to assemble and fairly light.

And, the trick of replacing the top section with a 102" whip does help reception, especially way down the bands for SWL.

 

[billdean]

I'd keep the runs to the length you need. Yes, you can always add an extension for those few times you need it.

LMR-400 doesn't roll up very small, so consider your storage limitation. Also, it's heavy and if you are using this on a temporary mast, you'll need to secure it carefully, or it'll risk damaging the antenna connector, connector on the coax, or the mount.

I use some commercial HF radio fly packs at work that get set up in the middle of nowhere. The antennas are a military model and a temporary mast system called a "rolatube". System 75: Single Tube Mast (Compact & Portable) - Rolatube
That setup uses about 40 feet of a high quality RG-58. Higher grade cable isn't necessary and the importance of it being packable/transportable takes priority.

Well this looks interesting but only one US Supplier. I have asked for a quote but they want my military rank and duty station. I don't know if they will sell to civilians.... Ok the guy just called an he is going to quote me a price on it. He said that particular rolatube has a weight limit of no more that 11 pounds. Probably costs more than my trailer!

 

[billdean]

For everyone’s information, that Rolatube that @mmckenna is talking about is $1600.00! That’s a little rich for me.

 

[billdean]

For everyone’s information, that Rolatube that @mmckenna is talking about is $1600.00! That’s a little rich for me

 

[mmckenna]

For everyone’s information, that Rolatube that @mmckenna is talking about is $1600.00! That’s a little rich for me.

Yeah, sounds like list price. But even then, they are not cheap.

They do compact down into something that would fit in a shopping bag, though.

 

[billdean]

Question........In my toy hauler the factory has run some kind of coax through out my trailer for the TV's. I have a hook up in the bedroom, living room, and in the garage that go to outlets on the outside of the trailer. Would this coax be useable to hook up a CB radio too using the smaller connectors like what you use for the Nano Meters? Maybe a jumper or Male ends. Picture attached

 

[mmckenna]

Question........In my toy hauler the factory has run some kind of coax through out my trailer for the TV's. I have a hook up in the bedroom, living room, and in the garage that go to outlets on the outside of the trailer. Would this coax be useable to hook up a CB radio too using the smaller connectors like what you use for the Nano Meters? Maybe a jumper or Male ends. Picture attached

Likely the coax is some cheap RG-59 or RG-6. 75Ω cable, so yes, it would work, but not ideal.
The connector for the TV/satellite is an F connector. The photo you posted are SMA, those will not fit.

You are better off installing your own coaxial cable. The feed through could use one of the satellite ports, but I'd probably replace the F connector with something more suitable.

 

[slowmover]

I am not a campground-er! I am way back in the sand and creosote brush! A dresert rat......

Vertical vs Horizontal Antenna Polarization questions are in your future.



Short range vertical (roadside rest area or campground; typical mobile) versus quite long range DX (Big Antenna; a portable).

Where you are parked for an interim or in traveling it’s best having both options.

Inverted-V dipole does a bit of both.
But not the only option.

.

 

[billdean]

Will a NMO27 mounted on the side of the trailer so the tip of the antenna is at 14' work on a fiberglass 5er? There is a steal frame under all that fiberglass. I also have all those solar panels on the roof. Maybe that's enough of a ground plane. This would probably not be much different than a hood mounted one on my F-350. Certainly it would not transmit far but maybe good enough?

 

[mmckenna]

Will a NMO27 mounted on the side of the trailer so the tip of the antenna is at 14' work on a fiberglass 5er? There is a steal frame under all that fiberglass. I also have all those solar panels on the roof. Maybe that's enough of a ground plane. This would probably not be much different than a hood mounted one on my F-350. Certainly it would not transmit far but maybe good enough?

I think you would be disappointed.

Without a ground plane under the antenna that is equal in all directions, the antenna radiation pattern will be directional. Having it mounted on the side of the trailer, even connected into the metal frame, is going to make it quite directional. Might be "good enough" for local use, but it's going to pale in comparison to what you have on your truck.

 

[billdean]

I think you would be disappointed.

Without a ground plane under the antenna that is equal in all directions, the antenna radiation pattern will be directional. Having it mounted on the side of the trailer, even connected into the metal frame, is going to make it quite directional. Might be "good enough" for local use, but it's going to pale in comparison to what you have on your truck.

I kind of figured it wouldn't be great. I was just looking for a two antenna set up to use while traveling and at rest in a rest area to monitor the radio while briefly stopped. While actually camping I would have a temporary base station antennas set up for that. I was kind of thinking along slowmover's recommendation. Have any of you any experienced the (No Ground Plane Antennas) I see listed. I can't imagine they would be much better. For the base station camping setup I have been looking at the Solarcon A-99, Sirio Gain-Master, Imax 2000. They maybe others I haven't seen yet. If others have other suggestion I would like to hear about them.

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[K9KLC]

I kind of figured it wouldn't be great. I was just looking for a two antenna set up to use while traveling and at rest in a rest area to monitor the radio while briefly stopped. While actually camping I would have a temporary base station antennas set up for that. I was kind of thinking along slowmover's recommendation. Have any of you any experienced the (No Ground Plane Antennas) I see listed. I can't imagine they would be much better. For the base station camping setup I have been looking at the Solarcon A-99, Sirio Gain-Master, Imax 2000. They maybe others I haven't seen yet. If others have other suggestion I would like to hear about them.

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If you have the room to get the iMax up, I'd do that. You looking for CB only or you a ham too?

 

[kc2asb]

If you have the room to get the iMax up, I'd do that. You looking for CB only or you a ham too?

+1 on the iMax. The A-99 is slightly cheaper and not the equal of the iMax, but the two I owned were good performers.

 

[billdean]

If you have the room to get the iMax up, I'd do that. You looking for CB only or you a ham too?

I believe I would have room for the iMax. I have the whole desert. Can the iMax 2000 on a 12' pipe be handle by one person durning the install? I haven't found the weight for it.

They have an Emergency Response Team that monitor CB channel 12 down in the SW part of Arizona for emergency. So I would only be using CB channels there.

 

[kc2asb]

I believe I would have room for the iMax. I have the whole desert. Can the iMax 2000 on a 12' pipe be handle by one person durning the install? I haven't found the weight for it.

They have an Emergency Response Team that monitor CB channel 12 down in the SW part of Arizona for emergency. So I would only be using CB channels there.

I'm not sure on the weight. The iMax is about 3ft (21ft vs 18ft) taller than the A99. FWIW, I was able to handle putting up my A99 on a 15ft mast in the back of the yard.

 

[K9KLC]

I believe I would have room for the iMax. I have the whole desert. Can the iMax 2000 on a 12' pipe be handle by one person durning the install? I haven't found the weight for it.

They have an Emergency Response Team that monitor CB channel 12 down in the SW part of Arizona for emergency. So I would only be using CB channels there.

It's more the height than the weight. If you are taking about leaning a 12 foot pole up and securing it no problem.

 

[slowmover]

Go to video link in Post #9.

 

[billdean]

Go to video link in Post #9.

yup..have seen it.. I like it but I don't have a bumper on my RV. I could use the tire flag pole mount though.