Icom 2730 and sds100 mobile install

[Speedy_okole]

Hey everyone, ive been running an ic2730 in my truck for a while with a dual band nmo mount on the roof. I now also want to add my uniden sds100 to the package so i replaced my antenna with a pricy Laird tri-band.. hoping to run both radios from the one antenna and not drill another hole in my roof.
Whatis the best way to pull this off? Antenna switch? I realize that the 2730 has an internal duplexer, so is the tri-band antenna still going to work here?my swr’s are 1.5 txing in both bands. Would love to rx simultaneously but don’t want to damage the sds100 when I tx from the 2730. most likely a newb question here,but I greatly appreciate the help! Hope everyone has a great weekend!

 

[mmckenna]

You won't be able to have both radios connected at the same time. A switch is your only real option. Just don't forget to switch it to the Icom when you transmit.

Really is worth installing a second antenna. One for the ham radio, one for the scanner.

 

[Speedy_okole]

Thank you mmckenna. I appreciate your help. To the hole saw I go. Do it once and do it right I guess

 

[Speedy_okole]

How far apart do you recommend installing the antennas? I have a crew cab truck and my current antenna is dead center

 

[W9WSS]

Mr. McKenna is correct. Even the most conscientious radio hobbyist seems to *forget*to*switch* the antenna, and zap, goes the two-way radio (or the scanner). You will be happier with a dedicated "all band (VHF/UHF/700/800)" scanner antenna. They are not very tall, and several types are available, through our friends at The Antenna Farm.

My personal choice would be the EM-Wave

...and you have the Larsen

and then the Laird

They all perform very well and have an NMO mount to attach either a permanent (suggested) or magnetic mount. They're all in the $35-$55 price range. You will not be disappointed using any of them on your SDS100. Check 'em all out at www.theantennafarm.com - a reliable and reasonable vendor.

 

[AK9R]

Will, you left off the PCTEL (Maxrad) BMAXSCAN1000. I had one several years ago and had no issues with it. I've found it listed online for as low as $25.

 

[W9WSS]

I had Maxrad and Laird antennas in the past. The two-way radio shop I worked at stopped carrying Laird because each and every plastic base section of the mobile antennas cracked. I owned 8 myself and stopped selling them to my customer base. We went to Em Wave and couldn't be happier. I have several EM Wave antennas on NMO mounts on my car. I used Maxrad 30+ years ago, and never really had any complaints.

 

[mmckenna]

How far apart do you recommend installing the antennas? I have a crew cab truck and my current antenna is dead center

Put the scanner antenna near the rear of the cab.

 

[alcahuete]

The two-way radio shop I worked at stopped carrying Laird because each and every plastic base section of the mobile antennas cracked.

Not sure if it's all of the antennas without looking, but the Laird I just ordered has a solid metal base. Built like a tank. Same with the Larsen if I'm not mistaken. They're all starting to catch on.

 

[mmckenna]

Not sure if it's all of the antennas without looking, but the Laird I just ordered has a solid metal base. Built like a tank. Same with the Larsen if I'm not mistaken. They're all starting to catch on.

I've got a ~7 year old Laird 1/2 wave VHF antenna on a Polaris Ranger. It's got a few thousand miles on the antenna, including hitting some tree branches at 40mph, going through drainage pipes where the antenna base spring was bent over at 90º, and I haven't had any issues with it. Not doubting it's a problem, but either I'm lucky, I got a good one, or people are a lot harder on them than I am.

None the less, it's a good idea to periodically inspect the antenna for issues. It shouldn't be something that gets installed and ignored until the radio stops working.

 

[W9WSS]

Good luck with the Laird. I replaced EVERY SINGLE Laird antenna (total = 12) in a 3-year period because all of the plastic bases had cracked. Some had one vertical crack, and most had 3-4 vertical cracks in them. I'm totally sold on Em Wave because they are all rubber coated including the springs, plus an excellent spring-loaded center conductor which makes a positive connection with the NMO mount. They all have rubber contact with the car's body; No washers are necessary.

I live 18 miles west of Chicago, so we have 100+ degree temperatures (forecast for this week), and -20/-30 below zero wind chills in the winter. I'm sure the extreme weather doesn't help the integrity of the plastic. Luckily, my car is in the garage when I'm at home, and since I'm retired, I don't go out all that often.

 

[alcahuete]

I've got a ~7 year old Laird 1/2 wave VHF antenna on a Polaris Ranger. It's got a few thousand miles on the antenna, including hitting some tree branches at 40mph, going through drainage pipes where the antenna base spring was bent over at 90º, and I haven't had any issues with it. Not doubting it's a problem, but either I'm lucky, I got a good one, or people are a lot harder on them than I am.

None the less, it's a good idea to periodically inspect the antenna for issues. It shouldn't be something that gets installed and ignored until the radio stops working.

Yeah, I have never had problems with any of mine either. Both the new Larsen and new Laird I bought within the last few months now have metal bases. They are both built like tanks.

Good luck with the Laird. I replaced EVERY SINGLE Laird antenna (total = 12) in a 3-year period because all of the plastic bases had cracked. Some had one vertical crack, and most had 3-4 vertical cracks in them. I'm totally sold on Em Wave because they are all rubber coated including the springs, plus an excellent spring-loaded center conductor which makes a positive connection with the NMO mount. They all have rubber contact with the car's body; No washers are necessary.

I live 18 miles west of Chicago, so we have 100+ degree temperatures (forecast for this week), and -20/-30 below zero wind chills in the winter. I'm sure the extreme weather doesn't help the integrity of the plastic. Luckily, my car is in the garage when I'm at home, and since I'm retired, I don't go out all that often.

You must have missed my post above. As I mentioned, my brand new Laird has a solid metal base, so not an issue. I have been using them (and Larsen) here in the Mohave Desert for over 20 years. They see 120+ degree temps regularly and snow in the winter. Never had a single one fail.

 

[mmckenna]

Good luck with the Laird. I replaced EVERY SINGLE Laird antenna (total = 12) in a 3-year period because all of the plastic bases had cracked. Some had one vertical crack, and most had 3-4 vertical cracks in them.

I believe you. I keep an eye on mine. So far, no issues.

I'm totally sold on Em Wave because they are all rubber coated including the springs, plus an excellent spring-loaded center conductor which makes a positive connection with the NMO mount. They all have rubber contact with the car's body; No washers are necessary.

I've been a Larsen guy for the last 30 years and never thought I'd change. I've been running a few EMWave for about a year and a half now and I'm totally sold. I'm running a spring base 1/4 wave VHF on my personal truck and I'm really happy with it. I put a non-spring base on my wifes truck, same thing, totally happy with it. Going to try a few of their new multiband antennas at work next.

I'm wary of the "pogo" pin in the center. Motorola used those on their old 800MHz antennas, and I stayed busy replacing a lot of those. Was such a piss-poor design for an antenna. These EMWave seem much better. Larsen has started using them on their multiband antennas, also.

I live 18 miles west of Chicago, so we have 100+ degree temperatures (forecast for this week), and -20/-30 below zero wind chills in the winter. I'm sure the extreme weather doesn't help the integrity of the plastic. Luckily, my car is in the garage when I'm at home, and since I'm retired, I don't go out all that often.

I'm about 2 miles in from the Pacific ocean, same at work. Salt spray tests are a reality. That's usually how I judge things. Have had to physically cut down some base antennas with aluminum bases that corroded so bad it was the only way to get them off the mast.

 

[cfsimmont]

I had Maxrad and Laird antennas in the past. The two-way radio shop I worked at stopped carrying Laird because each and every plastic base section of the mobile antennas cracked. I owned 8 myself and stopped selling them to my customer base. We went to Em Wave and couldn't be happier. I have several EM Wave antennas on NMO mounts on my car. I used Maxrad 30+ years ago, and never really had any complaints.

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Wow I bet nobody passes you on the freeway!!!